Follow Along and Learn How to DIY a Chic Off-shoulder Top

I thrifted a very large (size 7XL) t-shirt and it was perfect for a stylish DIY off-shoulder top with full sleeves that I wanted to make.

I love coming up with t-shirt upcycling ideas and this is definitely one of my favorites. 

I’m using my own measurements for this top, so measure around the fullest part of your bust and around your waist and wrists and substitute your figures for mine.

1. Cut out sleeve panel 3

Make sure your t-shirt is very oversized for you, so you have enough fabric for the extremely full top panel of the sleeves.

Fold the t-shirt in half lengthways and line up the side seams and lower edges.

Measure 12 inches (30 cm) up from the lower edge across the t-shirt and cut it off.

Open out the remaining t-shirt and remove both sleeves and both side seams.

Cut a strip 4 inches (10 cm) wide from the lower edge of the t-shirt. This will become panel 3 of the sleeves.

2. Cut out the bodice

Fold one side edge of the shirt lengthways so it’s at least 9 inches (22.5 cm) wide.

Cut a panel 14 inches (35 cm) long and 9 inches (22.5 cm) wide through the four layers on the fold.

Measure 4 inches (10 cm) diagonally across one of the open corners and draw a line.

Mark 7 inches (17.5 cm) across the width from the fold along the other open edge. I later changed this to 6 inches (15 cm) because I wanted a tighter fit.

Draw a diagonal line from there to just below the end of the first line and cut out the shape.

Open the two sections out. Join them together along the side seams with the right sides facing.

3. Cut out the facings and lower band

Turn the remaining section of the top sideways and cut a strip 18 inches (45 cm) wide and 2 inches (5 cm) deep for the top facing.

Sew the facings to the top edges of the bodice with the right sides together. Fold them to the inside and stitch them down, turning under the raw edges.

Cut two 3 inch (8 cm) deep strips for the lower band of the bodice and join the short edges into a circle.

Sew them to the lower edge of the bodice to enclose the raw edges in the same way as the upper facing.

4. Sleeve panel 1

Cut the side seams off the 12 inch (30 cm) deep section that you removed in the first step.

Place the sections together and fold them in half lengthways.

Measure 2 inches (5 cm) from the raw edge along the hem edge. Draw a diagonal line 4 inches (10 cm) long from there across the corner. 

Cut along the line.

Cut two pieces of elastic, each 8 inches (20 cm) long.

5. Sleeve panel 2

Cut a strip of fabric 10 inches (25 cm) long and 11 inches (27.5 cm) wide from the original sleeves of the t-shirt.

Fold it in half lengthways and taper it from the full width to 9 inches (22.5 cm) at the hem edge.

Use a seam ripper to undo the original hem.

6. Join the sleeve panels

Sew a row of gathering stitches along the lower edge of panel 1 and one long edge of panel 3.

Gather panel 1 to a width of 11 inches (27.5 cm).

Sew it to the upper edge of panel 2 with the right sides together, adjusting the gathers evenly as you sew.

Gather panel 3 to 9 inches (22.5 cm) width and sew it to the lower edge of panel 2 in the same way.

Thread the pieces of elastic through the upper edges of panel 1. I was able to keep the original hemline intact on these panels so I used it as a casing. Make a simple 3/4” (1.5 cm) hem for the casing if you need to.

7. Attach the sleeves

Join the remaining raw edges of panel one to the diagonal sections of the bodice, with the right sides facing.

Turn the sleeves wrong side out and sew the long sleeve seams.