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how to, refashion, refashioning, Restyles, Tutorials

Refashion: Cropped Tee to Banded Tee

27th January 2015

This is a really simple refashion that elevates a cropped boxy tee to something a little more interesting and with a bit more coverage. I don’t do “cropped”. Trust me….nobody wants to see that! This can work with a standard tee too. really anything that you want to add a bit of length or design detail to. It’s a great way to use up an otherwise redundant strip of a favourite fabric. Pick one thats a similar weight and drape to the top you’re refashioning. I’m mixing woven with jersey here….

To start…turn the tee inside out. Put it on and mark where you want your contrast fabric band to sit…

Cut straight across the tee just below this point to allow for some seam allowance…I’m a sod for not measuring or marking anything. But you can always measure 5/8″ down from your pin and chalk a line across as a guide if you’re more conscientious than I am!

Cut your contrast fabric band at your desired width. Lay it between your two tee pieces and mark where it needs to line up with the rest of the tee, with a line of pins. Sew down this line and finish/trim raw edges so you have a tube of fabric the same width as your tee.

With the tee RS out and the band WS out, place the bottom of the tee inside the contrast fabric tube, (the tee will be right sides together with the fabric tube) line up raw edges, then pin and sew all the way around. Repeat this step with the top portion of your tee, sewing it to the other raw edge…

Give it a good press and you’re done!

I used a serger for this project. You can use a standard machine and just zig zag the raw edges. Best of all….no hemming (as you’re using the original hem of the tee) and takes about 20 minutes!

Happy sewing!

 

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17 Comments

  1. Liochka says

    27th January 2015 at 7:15 pm

    simply nice !! so cool !

    Reply
    • Portia Lawrie says

      29th January 2015 at 8:00 pm

      Ah thanks Liochka!

      Reply
  2. MrsC (Maryanne) says

    27th January 2015 at 7:31 pm

    Noice! I did something similar to a top that I bought, half knowing it was too short, and it was a crazy print too. Luckily I found a different crazy print that just blended in. Much nicer!
    You have so many good ideas, I am still excited about the chair!

    Reply
    • Portia Lawrie says

      29th January 2015 at 8:00 pm

      Maryanne you are too kind 🙁 I’m still excited about the chair too!

      Reply
      • jENNIE says

        15th July 2015 at 1:21 am

        Could you use no sew glue to add the extra piece if you don’t have serger or sewing machine?

        Reply
        • portia says

          15th July 2015 at 4:06 pm

          Unlikely Jennie. Don’t think it would stand up to wear. But you could absolutely hand sew this as it’s just simple straight lines 🙂

          Reply
  3. acraftyscientist says

    27th January 2015 at 9:56 pm

    I can imagine this with some strategic colour blocking: grey and mustard yellow, red and navy, navy and off white… ohhh, the possibilities! Need to hit the charity shots this weekend 🙂

    Reply
    • Portia Lawrie says

      29th January 2015 at 8:01 pm

      Yesssss!

      Reply
  4. DressUpNotDown says

    27th January 2015 at 11:15 pm

    Oh yes, nice…very nice!!!

    JJ
    http://www.dressupnotdown.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • Portia Lawrie says

      29th January 2015 at 8:01 pm

      Thanks JJ 🙂

      Reply
  5. Anne says

    29th January 2015 at 2:13 pm

    Love it!! I’ve got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for later this morning that links to your tutorial:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-lengthen-a-cropped-tee-by-making-it-a-banded-tee/2015/01/29/
    –Anne

    Reply
    • Portia Lawrie says

      29th January 2015 at 8:02 pm

      Anne thanks so much for your continued support for my posts 🙂 Px

      Reply
  6. Karen Ellis [RUDE] says

    4th March 2015 at 8:36 am

    Great minds think alike. Will post mine ASAP [after i wash the oil stain out] This truly is such a comfy REfash, easy and practical.

    Reply
  7. sarah says

    30th June 2015 at 10:52 am

    great idea! the result is perfect!

    Reply
  8. Christine says

    17th August 2015 at 4:55 pm

    Could you use a non stretch cotton for the added panel?

    Reply
    • portia says

      17th August 2015 at 5:33 pm

      Mine is a wiven so in theory yes…as long as it’s of a similar weight to the tee itself. Px

      Reply
  9. Sabrina Ahmed says

    12th October 2015 at 8:24 am

    Nice idea, especially if you have shirts that you’ve outgrew with! 🙂

    https://mysewingmall.com/

    Reply

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