Nesines
There are many ways to give your old T-shirts a new look. One way is to add bow sleeves. This can be done with or without sewing. If you want to avoid sewing, you can use fabric glue. To make the bow sleeves, you will need a T-shirt, a pair of scissors, some machine washable glue, and measuring tape. First, cut a 2.5-inch slit from the top of the shoulder down towards the armpit on both sides of the sleeve, making sure to cut outside the seam. Cut a strip from the bottom of the T-shirt and cut out two 2.5-inch strips from it. Pinch the centre of the sleeve and wrap one of the strips around it, securing it with a dab of glue. Repeat on the other sleeve and let the glue dry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tools | T-shirt, scissors, fabric glue, measuring tape |
| Cutting | Cut a 2.5-inch slit from the top of the sleeve towards the armpit, avoiding the seam. Repeat on the other sleeve. Cut a strip from the bottom of the shirt to make the strap for the bow. |
| Folding | Fold the strip in half, unfold, and cut out 2.5-inch strips. |
| Assembly | Pinch the centre of the sleeve, wrap with a strip, and secure with glue. Repeat for the other sleeve. |
What You'll Learn
Cutting the fabric
To make a bow sleeve T-shirt, you will need a T-shirt, a pair of scissors, some machine washable glue, a measuring tape, and about 10 minutes of your time.
First, cut a 2.5-inch slit from the top of the shoulder down towards the armpit on both the front and the back of the sleeve, making sure you are cutting outside the seam. This means your total slit length will be 5 inches. Once you've done that, there's a possibility that the shoulder seam might hang outside the shirt. If this happens, cut the unsightly seam off the shirt in the area where it is visible. Repeat this process on the other sleeve.
Next, carefully cut off the very bottom of the shirt, below the seam stitching. Save this strip of fabric for the next step. Fold the strip of fabric in half, then unfold it and cut out two 2.5-inch strips.
Now, you will use these strips to create the centre of the bow. Pinch the centre of one of the sleeves and wrap one of the strips from the previous step around it. Put a dab of glue on the end of the strip and fold the other end over the glue so that the strip becomes a circular band around the sleeve. Pinch it tightly between your fingers to make sure that the glue is secure. Repeat this process on the other sleeve and let the glue dry before trying on your new T-shirt!
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Making the strap
Now it's time to make the strap for the bow. Take the strip of fabric you cut from the bottom of your T-shirt and fold it in half. Then, unfold it and use your scissors to cut out two strips, each measuring about 2.5 inches.
Pinch the centre of one of the sleeves and wrap one of the strips around it. Secure the end of the strip with a small amount of fabric glue. Repeat this process for the other sleeve, making sure to let the glue dry completely before trying on your new creation!
You can also reinforce the strap with stitching. To do this, cut out two rectangles that measure 3 inches long by 2.5 inches wide. Fold these in half, right sides together, matching long edges. Sew one short and one long edge, using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Clip the corner and turn the tube right side out, then fold the raw edges 1/4 inch into the tube.
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Folding the strip
Firstly, unfold the strip of fabric you cut from the bottom of your t-shirt. You should now have a long, thin piece of fabric. If your fabric strip has any folds or creases, it is important to smooth them out to ensure a clean, crisp fold. Next, use your measuring tape to measure a 2.5-inch width along the length of the strip. Cut along this measurement to create an even, straight edge. Now, starting from one end of the strip, fold the fabric over lengthwise, aligning the edges to create a clean fold. You should now have a narrower strip that is twice as thick as before.
If you prefer a more voluminous bow, you can adjust the width of the strip accordingly. For example, if you want a fuller bow, you can cut a wider strip, such as 3 or 3.5 inches, and then fold it over. This will give your bow a more robust and puffy appearance. On the other hand, if you want a smaller and more delicate bow, you can cut a narrower strip, such as 2 inches or less, and then proceed with the folding.
Once you have folded the strip to your desired width, you can now wrap it around the sleeve to form the bow. Pinch the center of the sleeve and wrap the folded strip around it, securing it with a small amount of fabric glue. Ensure that the glue is washable and suitable for fabric. Allow the glue to dry completely before wearing your new bow sleeve t-shirt!
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Wrapping the sleeve
Now, you will make the strap for the bow from a strip of fabric that you will cut from the bottom of the shirt. Fold this strip in half, unfold it, and cut out two 2.5-inch strips.
Pinch the centre of one of the sleeves and wrap one of the strips around it. Put a small amount of glue on the end of the strip, and fold the other end over the glue so that the strip forms a circular band around the sleeve. Pinch it tightly between your fingers to make sure the glue is secure. Repeat this process on the other sleeve.
Let the glue dry before trying on your new creation!
You can also use the hem of the sleeve for the band instead of cutting off the hem of the shirt bottom.
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Gluing the bow
Now that you have cut the strips of fabric that will make the strap for your bow, it is time to glue them together. Pinch the centre of the sleeve and wrap one strip around it. Put a small amount of glue on the end of the strip and fold the other end over it, forming a circular band around the sleeve. Make sure to pinch the ends together tightly to secure the glue. Repeat this process on the other sleeve.
It is important to use the correct type of glue for this project. Machine washable glue or fabric glue will ensure that your bow remains intact even after washing. E-6000 glue is a good option, as it holds up well in the wash.
When gluing the bow, be careful not to use too much glue, as it may seep through the fabric and create a mess. A small dab should be enough to secure the ends of the strip. If you are concerned about glue seepage, you can place a piece of cardboard or wax paper between the layers of fabric before gluing.
Let the glue dry completely before trying on your new shirt. This will ensure that the glue sets properly and your bow remains secure. You may also want to test the glue on a small piece of fabric before beginning the project to ensure that it does not stain or discolour the fabric.
Once the glue is dry, your bow sleeve t-shirt is ready to wear! You can show off your unique creation and impress your friends with your crafting skills. Enjoy your new stylish and comfortable shirt!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a t-shirt, a pair of scissors, some machine washable/fabric glue, a measuring tape, and about 10 minutes of your time.
First, cut a 2.5-inch slit from the top of the shoulder down to the armpit on both the front and back of the sleeve, staying outside the seam. Cut the bottom hem of the shirt to make the tabs for the bow, then cut out two 2.5-inch strips from this fabric. Pinch the centre of one of the sleeves and wrap a strip around it, securing it with glue. Repeat on the other sleeve and let the glue dry.
Cut the fabric below the seam stitching and keep the stitches intact. The stitches will also help you cut a straight line. T-shirt fabric also doesn't fray, so you don't need to worry about that.
