If you know me you know I’m AVID about recycling and reducing waste and reusing EVERYTHING. After all I started my brand TINY BANDIT to be a no waste packaging company to help minimize the carbon foot print I leave. I try to reuse every bubble wrap and clean cardboard box etc when shipping out our orders because if we’re are all mindful- little efforts turn into big changes that can ripple and really help our environment!

So with all that, my boyfriend asked me yesterday if I wanted two of his t-shirts that we’re brand new but didn’t fit well. He hates returning anything because he generally hates shopping like a lot of guys. So Jeff is about 200 lb and 6’3” and I’m 5’3” so clearly they wouldn’t actually fit but I liked that they are JCREW organic cotton t-shirts so I brainstormed, I had an an idea I wanted to try out. Blending creativity and Up-cycling is my jam but I’m not a DIY blogger so bare with me. Here is my first attempt at a cute fringed muscle tee. Also it doesn’t only have to be an oversized hand-me down, make one with any t-shirt you have that perhaps has a little a stain on it or if its just too boring to wear, make it fun! If you like this idea, I invite you to try it yourself. This is also a fun DIY project to do with kids or to make custom matching boho bridal party tanks etc.

This would be better in happy colors over grey but I think it came out really cute and a perfect airy tank for these hot August days of Summer.

SHAPE: First step is cutting the tee into the general shape, put it on and pin sides to keep the shirt together.

cut off the sleeves into a muscle tee arm opening.

cut the bottom of the tee to whatever length appeals to you. For me I took off 4”. A crop version would be dope too!
I cut the ribbed banding on neck collar in half so it has a little structure but not a full neck band. I wanted all the edges to be rough cut. This step is totally just for style preference.If you cut the whole banding off the shirt could be more boatneck so off the shoulder and sexier which would be so cute for festival season!

FRINGE: This can be modified. If your tee is really wide you should do 2.5” horizontal slices to make is smaller in width (aka tighter). If the general width is ok make the slices smaller such as 1”. TIP* the cuts seem short but the cotton stretches.

next slice one side of the tee body open along the top underarm seam down to the hemline. Only do one side at a time or it is really hard to line up the slices to be even.
then take your scissors and make the horizontal cuts about 1 cm apart (about a finger nail width) starting from the underarm to bottom hemline.
starting from the top cut, tie the first two slices (one from front panel and one from back panel together into a knot twice and pull tight. Continue working all the way down. Each fringe will stretch naturally and become much skinnier than the initial cut. The new raw edges will roll and the width will shrink in a tiny bit.
when finished, hold the shirt vertically (grab the underarm and hemline) and tug a little at the ends so it straightens and elongates the fringed side body seams.
repeat the same steps on the other side.

I couldn’t get a good mirror shot with it on (ugh!) but trust me, it came out great and I’m really happy with my new fringe Summer muscle tee! Stay hydrated folks and please upload/send me pics if you try this out yourself!

xoxo Heather

DIY CUTE FRINGE T-SHIRT | PERFECT FOR SUMMER