Thursday, June 14, 2012

From Blah-b to Fab: DIY Workout Tanks!

 A Step-by-Step Guide to a New Workout Wardrobe Essential!

BEFORE: "Blah-b!"
AFTER: "Fab!"

Have a few old t-shirts laying around and don't know what to do with them? If you're a girl who likes to look good, work out, and not spend a fortune doing either, then this is a craft designed for you! These rugged-looking tanks are a hit at the gym, and can be made out of any jersey cotton t-shirt. They're also a great bikini cover-up in the summer, as they cover you adequately but allow your body to breathe during that dreadful heat. Follow this step-by-step guide for a DIY (Do It Yourself) racerback tank, and turn that "BLAH-B" t-shirt into a "FAB" workout essential! Let's get started:


For this craft you will need:

An old t-shirt to cut up

A pair of scissors

Step 1: Cut off the shirt's collar. Follow the perimeter of the collar and cut just below the stitching. 

Step 2: Cut off the sleeves. How far in you go is up to you. Remember, the farther in you go, the smaller your tank's straps will end up being. When you determine how far in you would like to cut, follow the curve of the sleeve's stitching as an example.
When you finish cutting the first sleeve, fold the shirt in half and follow your first cut as a guide for the second sleeve in order to keep the tank symmetrical. 

Step 3: Cut off the t-shirts hem. Most t-shirts have a double hem at the bottom, giving them a clean finish. To achieve a more rugged look, cut off the hem completely, but be sure to save the scraps.
Step 4: Cut the loop. When you finish cutting the hem off, you should be left with a long, skinny loop. Using your scissors, cut the loop in order to create a long, ribbon-like string.
Step 5: Cut the stitches off the string. While stitches can give fabric a finished look, you will need to stretch this string later on, and the stitches will prevent you from doing so. Cut the string all the way down, being sure to cut closely to the stitch line. You can go ahead and put the stitched fabric in the scrap pile, but hang on to the folded fabric string.
Step 6: Stretch! This is a fun part. Using both hands, stretch out the string so it becomes thinner and begins to curl. Have fun with it! When you're done you should end up with a long, slightly-rolled string. 
Step 7: Turn the back of the shirt into a "Racerback". I love racerback tanks because they show off my shoulder blades, and essentially all of the hard work I'm doing to strengthen my upper-back muscles. To achieve this look, cut a "U" shape into the back, allowing it to expose more skin. Use your scrap from this as a guide to cut the other side the same way in order to keep your back symmetrical.
Step 8: Cut a V. In order to make skinny straps, you need to get rid of excess fabric. Cut a deep "V" into your racerback. The bigger your "V", the skinnier your straps in the end. Try not to go past your mid back. 
Step 9: Wrap the V. Take the skinny, rolled rope you created earlier and tie a double knot around both of the "V" straps, about three fingers in from the top. Wrap the rope around the two straps over and over until you come to a few inches left of rope. You can double up on the wrapping in order to create a shorter "knot" in the back. When you finish wrapping, tie another double knot at the end. Cut off the excess rope strands at the top and bottom.
Step 10: Alterations. Do you prefer V-necks or U-necks? High-to-low hem, or hems with higher sides? Use this step to alter your shirt and give it your own flair. I created two shirts and gave them each a slightly different alter (finished products are down below on Step 12). In the example pictures below, I chose a high-sides hem. To do this, fold your shirt in half, and cut a diagonal line, starting low in the "middle" folds of the shirt and going higher as you get to the edges.
Step 11: Stretch some more! Take a look at your tank so far. It looks good, but it's not finished just yet! Try on your tank, and let's focus on getting those straps a little more long, lean, and loose. Pull down on your shirt from all sides in order to stretch it out a bit and add to the rugged, workout look. 
Step 12: Flaunt it. Do a happy dance, because you have just finished your DIY workout tank, and are now ready to go flaunt your thrifty attire at the nearest gym! Try your hand at a few more, and do something different each time. Try a different hemline, skinnier straps, a different neck cut, etc. Check out these two I completed in a matter of minutes!
Slightly lower U-neck line.
Medium-sized straps, high-sides hemline. 

Low U-neck line; High-to-low hemline.
Small straps, extra deep V-cut in back! Lookin' good!
Hope you enjoy this 12-step guide! If you try it out, be sure to let me know! Post a picture link in a comment, or mention #SarahBTexas on a Twitter/Instagram pic! Good luck, stay healthy, and stay FABulous!

XOXO,

~ S ~

Is there anything else you'd like to see? Another DIY wardrobe guide? Another t-shirt alteration? Perhaps some home decor craft guides? Comment and let me know! :-)

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31 comments:

  1. Well done, and very imformative. I think the step by step instructions were easy to follow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Why, thank you! I tried to make sure to go over everything in detail, because I am typically the person who gets confused on the easiest set of instructions! Haha. I appreciate your feedback!

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  2. I live in Denton county! That's so awesome, love the shirt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do you really? That's awesome! Great to meet another Denton-ite blogger! I go between Denton, Plano, and Dallas during my week :-) And thank you for the compliment!

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    2. Yeah, I live, like, twenty minutes north of the airport, ten of that being stuck on 121-114

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    3. I KNOW what you mean! That freeway always seems to be a mess! Haha but I guess I can't really complain... any freeway traffic in Texas is heaven-sent compared to California! That's one thing I'm thankful is NOT bigger in Texas! ;-)

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  3. Really cute ill have to try this :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! :-) Let me know how it turns out! I saw this exact same design at Wet Seal today, going for $8.50, so you know it's trendy right now!

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  4. We loved this so much! Thank you for linking up!!

    You were FEATURED! Stop on over and grab a button!

    Thanks again!!

    http://natural-nester.blogspot.com/2012/07/naturally-nifty-party-21.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for featuring me! I appreciate the support :-)

      Glad you liked this tutorial! Hope you get the chance to try it out!

      Delete
  5. looks great! need to try this!

    visit nichollvincent.blogspot.com

    happy fourth!

    ReplyDelete
  6. LOVE this! Im gonna have to try my own! I totally pinned this. :) BTW new follower from the red, white & you link up!

    ~Maria-Isabel
    www.agapelovedesigns.com
    www.mommymade.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Maria-Isabel! I appreciate the pinning and the following! I'm heading over to your blog to do the same right now!

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  7. I like the tank top. I actually think I could make it. Just stopping by to say HI! Found your blog via Red, White and You. Looking forward to reading your future post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by, I appreciate it! Hope you get to try out the tutorial and enjoy the results!

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  8. AWESOME idea. Totally have a few shirts that are going to meet my scissors this weekend. Thanks for partying with us! <3<3 XO Courtney BaxtronLife

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Courtney! I hope your t-shirt up-cycle goes well! Thanks for visiting :-)

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  9. I LOVE THIS!! I am always looking for new workout shirts!!! I will be pinning. I am visiting from the Red. White and YOU Follow Fest and wanted to stop by and say hi! I am a new follower! Hope you will stop by http://garagesalesrus.blogspot.com/ and do the same.

    Robin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Robin! I appreciate it! Hope you get to try this out and enjoy the results! I'm heading over to your blog to follow you now!

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  10. I will def have to try this!!

    Found you thru the Blog Hop! Looking forward to following your adventures!

    Kristine from TheFoleyFam - Unedited

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, Kristine! Thank you for checking out my page, hope you enjoy this tutorial! I'm heading over to your blog right now :-)

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  11. Thanks for linking up! I featured you today: http://www.sweetbellaroos.com/2012/07/07/pin-worthy-feature1/

    ReplyDelete
  12. Soooo Cool! Great tutorial and way to go getting featured with this. :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Shannon! :-) Hope you enjoyed and get to try it out for yourself sometime!

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  13. cute & cute! I have a few shirts that I could and will do this to tonight!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you enjoyed the tutorial, and I appreciate you stopping by MissCandiquik! Hope your shirt project goes smoothly... I'd love to see photos of your final product! :-)

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  14. Very cute. Got to show this to my daughter...it's a great craft and DIY project she will love.

    Irish

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    Replies
    1. I hope your daughter enjoys it! It's a great way to get a second, up-cycled use from those shirts that are bland, or just don't fit anymore!

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  15. for some reason i just couldn't really get the right neckline and for it to match up so it was even on both sides do you have any tips for that?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey there! Was your neckline lopsided? If you want a lower, even neckline, cut half of a "U" shape into the neck. Fold over that section and use the cut piece as a trace for cutting the rest of the "U" shape. this should leave you with a low, even U neckline. If you want a V neckline, follow the same steps, cutting a low diagonal into the neckline, folding it over, and tracing back.

      I hope these directions make sense! If not, let me know in a comment with your email attached, and I can email you example pictures!

      Delete

Hey y'all! I see ya there; thinkin' of leavin' a comment, aren't ya?! Well I'd sure love to get some feedback from y'all, so get to blabbin'! :-)

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