Looking for a creative way to reinvent your wardrobe for fall without buying new clothes? Upcycling clothing is one of the easiest ways to refresh your closet while giving well-loved pieces a second life. Whether you have favorite graphic tees that have shrunk, feel outdated, or simply need a fresh look, this simple sewing project transforms them into stylish boho-inspired tops you’ll actually want to wear again.
At The Turquoise Iris Journal, we love sharing creative projects that inspire readers to see everyday materials in new ways. In this tutorial, artist and maker Amy Keever shares her favorite technique for turning ordinary T-shirts into unique upcycled fashion that’s perfect for fall festivals, weekend outings, and everyday wear.
Editor’s Note: Creativity doesn’t always begin with a blank canvas. Sometimes it starts by looking at something you already own with fresh eyes. Danielle Kaminski’s upcycled clothing project is a wonderful reminder that a few thoughtful changes can turn an everyday favorite into something you’ll enjoy for seasons to come.
My wardrobe for fall will be brand new but I’m not planning to spend a single dime to do it! I’ve been so inspired by the upcycled clothing movement I’ve been watching in my own community and on Pinterest, so I started going through my own closet to see what I had that could be reimagined this season.
One thing I have in spades is T-shirts! To be fair, I do wear most of them. I really like the fun sayings and graphic designs. But since they are all cotton, over time the wash and wear start to shrink them up. Several of my favorites are now a little tighter than I prefer, and definitely shorter than they used to be. So I pulled out my sewing machine and serger to overhaul all those old pieces that have just been taking up space until now.
My friends Lorie & Mitzi have a brand of refashioned clothing inside Reinvintage Warehouse called Revibe. I’ve purchased several pieces from them and one of them inspired me to reclaim these almost forgotten tees this fall! Here is a quick tutorial for an upcycled t-shirt design that has that drapey boho feel I love that brings those old favorites back into rotation!
Update Your Wardrobe for Fall with Your Favorite Tees!
Grab your Tee
T-shirts with Graphics such as Band Tees, Stylized Phrases, and even old sports tees work well. The T-shirt doesn’t have to fit you well. If it’s gotten snug, or if you were given a size too big that will still work with this design. I do suggest if you are going with a smaller tee that you make sure the neck opening is a size you are comfortable with. You can always cut out the neckline if it’s too high for you like I did with my Journal tee!
Choose your sleeve fabric
In the early 2000s, I bought so many of these long gauzy scarves from Charming Charlie’s. They were basically 18-24 inches wide and about 6-7 feet long. These make the perfect drapey sleeves.
If you don’t have a scarf in the right colors, you can cut up other fabrics and piece together swatches or materials for a patchwork look if that’s something you like!
Prep your Tee
Lay your tee flat on your cutting surface. Come ½” to 1” in from where the shoulder meets the sleeve and cut a straight line from there to the hem of your shirt. Do this on both sides. If you have a Rotary Cutting Tool and Mat it makes this part really easy!
Create your Sleeves
If you are using a long scarf, fold it in half, bringing your long ends together. Then your fabric is doubled and somewhere between 30-36 inches in length. Now measure the center of the width and cut in half all the way down. This will give you two long pieces of material for your new sleeves.
If you are piecing together a patchwork, I recommend creating two rectangles that are approximately 60-72 inches long and 8 to 10 inches wide.
Assemble your pieces
Now you have three pieces, a t-shirt without sides/sleeves, and two long rectangles. Place the wrong sides together for exposed seams to create for a fringe-y boho look. This is how I make all of my pieces. You can, however, sew the right sides together if you want the finished seam on the outside.
The best way to ensure that the sleeves hang evenly is to find the center of your sleeve pieces (the rectangles) and pin or clip that at the shoulder seam of your shirt. Then pin or clip outward along the front and back of the t-shirt.
Once that is done, simply sew a straight seam from one end to the other. Do the same process on the second side. Now you have a big boxy design that is still open along the edges.
The last step to finish your new shirt is to sew the sides closed. With the tee laid flat, measure about 8-9 inches down from the shoulder and pin or clip your sides together. Then sew the sides down about 12-14 inches. This will leave open slits along the side that give the tee more movement while closing up the sides enough that you aren’t exposing anything you don’t want to be exposed.
There you have it! A few cuts and a handful of straight seams and you have all new boho tops for this fall. These are perfect for ball games, hitting the local harvest festivals and craft fairs, and just kicking around town in something with a little more flair than your standard t-shirt!
Not feeling crafty but want to shop the style? My friends at Revibe, have lots of upcycled fashion finds you can purchase ready-made!
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Creativity Begins with What You Already Have
One of the most rewarding parts of creating is discovering new possibilities in something you already own. Whether you’re transforming a favorite T-shirt, refreshing a piece of furniture, or experimenting with a new artistic technique, creativity often starts with seeing familiar things differently.
We hope Danielle’s tutorial inspires you to look through your own closet with fresh eyes and create something that reflects your personal style.
If you enjoy practical projects like this, you’ll love The Turquoise Iris Journal. Every volume features step-by-step tutorials, inspiring artist stories, and creative ideas from talented makers who believe creativity should be shared.
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