This is the base for most t-shirt reconstruction projects. If you have a larger shirt with a pattern you like and want to make something more fitted, or want a basic t-shirt with some fun cut-outs, this is how you would start.

Take a shirt thats fit you like and lay it over the shirt you would like to reconstruct. Trace around the sides and under arms of the shirt.

Pick up the smaller shirt and draw a line from the top of the shirt, around the collar and to the other side. Also draw a line before the hem on the sleeve. The outline should look like this.

Cut on the lines you just drew. Remember you are maintaining the upper sleeve part of the shirt so that you do not have to sew that part. The cut out should look like the picture below.

Pin the sides of the shirt together and sew along the edge.

You should now have a shirt that is more fitted. You can be finished at this step or you can add various different cut-outs or sew additional pieces of fabric onto the shirt. I am going to add two triangle cutouts on the sides of the shirt.

draw the triangles so that they are under your bust.

Cut along the line. The shirt should look like this.

Materials Needed: Fitted t-shirt, Shirt to be reconstructed, scissors, needle and thread

Inspiration: Too many baggy shirts that need reconstruction!

Category: Tops