How To: Turn an old t-shirt into a sexy top

Learn how to turn an old t-shirt into a sexy top. If you can sew a hem, you can transform one of your old tees into a cute strapless blouse.

Step 1. Choose a T-shirt

Select a T-shirt, bearing in mind that if you use a shirt with writing or a design, it will end up upside-down on your new blouse.

Step 2. Prepare the elastic

Measure the circumference of the area just above your breasts, and cut a piece of elastic in that length.

Step 3. Cut an opening

Turn the tee inside out, and snip a small vertical opening on the bottom hem.

Step 4. Insert the elastic

Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic, insert the pin through the opening you've just made, and push the pin through the inside of the hem until it reaches the other side.

Step 5. Attach the ends

Bunch the material over the elastic a bit, sew the two ends of the elastic together, and turn the shirt right side out.

Step 6. Cut the top

Use straight pins to pin together the front and back of the shirt in a straight line from shoulder to shoulder, and cut off the material along that line; then hem the top of the shirt by hand or machine.

Step 7. Sew the sleeves shut

Turn the shirt inside out again; fold the sleeves over the front of the shirt; sew the sleeves closed along the seam of the hem; then turn the shirt right side out.

Step 8. Slit a sleeve

Cut a small, vertical slit into the hem at each end of one of the sleeves.

Step 9. Insert the elastic

Cut a piece of elastic that is a bit shorter than the width of the sleeve; snake the elastic through the top side of the sleeve's hem with a safety pin, scrunching up the fabric a bit; then sew the elastic to the fabric and sew up the slits.

Step 10. Sew the sleeves to the shirt

Sew the sides of the sleeve to the shirt, making a nifty outside pocket.

Step 11. Repeat

Step 12. Show off

FACT: If the T-shirts owned by every American were laid next to one another, the lineup would circle the