How to Make a Corset from a Band Tee
In Ten Easy Steps!
What you will need:
• A band t-shirt that fits well or is slightly too big
• Needle or sewing machine
• Thread that matches your t-shirt
• Scissors
• Pins
• A ruler
• An iron
• Chalk
• ¼” wide Boning (about 3 ft)
• A length of hook and eye tape*
*instead of hook and eye tape, you can use a zipper or eyelets and ribbon.
Step 1:
Cut in a straight line through both layers of fabric just below the decoration on the t-shirt. Cut a second line starting just under the sleeves up and over the decoration. Don’t worry if the decoration looks too big, you can make adjustments later.
Step 2:
Flatten the two pieces and cut up the sides, making sure they are even; if there are existing side seams, cut at the seam. Take the lower section that does not have the decoration on it, fold it in half and cut straight up the middle, once again being sure all the pieces are the same size.
Step 3:
Pin the small pieces, right sides together, to the large pieces with the decoration at (what used to be) the side seams. If either the piece with the decoration or the small piece is longer at the side seam, match at the top and trim the bottom after sewing. Sew the four seams.
Step 4:
Now you should have two pieces, one with the decoration in the middle, and one that used to be the back of the shirt (most likely with nothing on it). The part with the decoration will be the outside and the blank side is now the lining. Pin the lining and the outside, with the right sides of the fabric facing each other, around the side and bottom edges. As you are pinning, if one piece is bigger or longer, trim so that both pieces are the same size. This is also a good time to test the fit. Wrap it around your waist and make sure that the side edges just meet or have a slight gap between them. If they overlap at any point, trim. Sew.
Step 5:
Now you have one piece. Turn it right side out and iron the edges so the seams don’t roll inside. Test the fit again and check if you need to cut the top down in size. The decoration on my shirt was very large so I decided to cut off a few inches at the top in the front. Make sure you keep a nice curve and that it stays symmetrical.
Step 6:
Fold the whole garment in half so the side edges meet. Mark the top and bottom of the fold with the chalk and unfold. This is where it might get confusing. Take the side seams (not the edges) and fold into the center you just marked. Mark the top and bottom of these folds and unfold. Next take the side edges and bring them over to the side seams. Mark these folds. Including the first center marking, you should now have 5 folds marked. Draw a line connecting your top and bottom marks for each fold but the center. You can also draw a line on the side seams to make them easier to see while sewing.
Step 7:
Take your boning and cut pieces the length of each line you just drew, including the side seams (should be 6 pieces total). Take the cover off the boning if it has one.
Step 8:
Starting about 3/8” down from the top, sew straight lines 1/8” on either side of your chalk lines; you will be creating a 1/4” sleeve for the boning. Slide the boning in so that the curve makes the corset curve in (like a corset!).
Step 9:
Iron the unsewn edge of the front and the lining down inside the garment, about ¼”. Pin and topstitch about 1/8” from the edge.
Step 10:
Take your hook and eye tape and cut it to a length slightly shorter than the length of the side edges. Pin it underneath so the hook and eyes are at the edge of the fabric and sew in place (hint: if you want it tighter, sew the hook and eye tap on top of the garment so that the hook/eye edge of the tape lines up with the edge of the garment).
Now wear it!
Happy Friday the 13th, everyone!
<3 Belinda
P.S. Looks like too much work? Custom order it from Belindabilly.
