This weekend I cleaned out my dresser, since I am trying to get my life organized this year… one project at a time! I found a bunch of T-shirts I was going to throw away, but instead I decided to cut them up so I could use them as workout shirts. I used to do this all the time in college so I decided to see if a woman in her mid-30’s could still whip up some tattered T’s. (and I totally can, even though I was sober this time… okay… almost sober)
I had an Angry Birds and a Batman shirt I had worn to Hudson’s b-day parties with the same theme. (yup… I am THAT mom) For the Batman shirt, I just cut some slits in the back to make it more comfy to wear to workout. I decided to do a ripped pyramid for the Angry Birds shirt.
First, I cut off the arms to make it a tank. Then, fold the t-shirt in half, and used a magazine as my guide. (I wasn’t about to go searching for a ruler) Then you just cut slits until you hit the magazine… about a half inch apart. When you are done just pull the strings to make it look better, and you are DONE! This makes for an awesome workout shirt since the air gets on your back so you don’t sweat as much.
I also cut up a Miami Heat finals shirt we got for free at work. I decided to make this one into a t-back tank top. You just cut the arms off, then cut the back part so you basically have just the neckline. Then cut two slits down the back and braid it! You will need to sew a bit for this last part, but it is really easy. Just sew the braid to the neckline. I used blue thread since it was all I could find at the time from a sewing kit. You cant see it really anyway. Then just stretch the braid and trim the armholes to make it fit how you want.
I made both shirts in about ten minutes and I think they look really cute to workout in!
Kristen Hewitt says
Cute! I want one! You can set up an etsy shop!
Lauren says
haha, yes I will add that onto my "do-do" list! 😉
Ana says
Great idea to make a cute and quick work out tee!
Lauren says
Yup! It took me 10 minutes to make them both! (ask my husband, he was even surprised!)
Tarynn Playle says
Wow-so cute!! I Have a few t-shirts that could use some of these alterations.
Lauren says
Yes and there are SO many different ways to do this.. I just did the easiest ones that I remembered. I used to get pretty fancy with these!
Ellen Oliveira says
These look so awesome. I have a ton of old t-shirts that could use a re-vamp. I might just try this when I'm done organizing the whole house. Yikes (Early spring cleaning)
Lauren says
I am in full organization mode too! Its stressful and freeing at the same time!! 🙂 Have a great week!
Talitha Haynes says
I like that. Make me one
Lauren says
You got it miss fashionista.. but you have to put it on your blog! hahaha
amy ortega says
So cute! Thanks for sharing. #meetupmonday
Lauren says
Thanks Amy! Have a wonderful week!
Laura Flaute says
Great idea! The shirts look so cute and comfy!
Lauren says
They could be lounging shirts too! Have a wonderful week and thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Melissa Matters says
Cute! I like the idea of getting more air to my back when I'm working out.
Lauren says
YES! I hate sweaty back! Have a great week!!
Sue Parke says
How fantastic is this?!!! A woman after my own heart! Fitness + super cute apparel + DIY! Love it! Great post and idea, thanks for sharing! I'll pin it! 🙂
Lauren says
Hahaha.. I am glad you liked it!! Thank you for pinning! 🙂 Have a great week!
Nicole McGregor says
you're kind of a fashion designer now too! very good!
Lauren says
HAHA! Project runway here I come! 😉
Twitchetts Blogspot says
I have soo many old t-shirts that I could do this to! I'm getting out the scissors now!!!
Lauren says
And there are tons of variations you can come up with too.. have fun! 🙂
Tricia Goodmama says
These are just adorable! I'm going to definitely give this a try because I have a ton of old ts that would be great workout shirts. Yeah! Pinning!
Lauren says
thanks for pinning! I hope you are having a wonderful week!
Bev Feldman says
Awesome! How appropriate that you are using Shape magazine as a ruler. I love repurposing old clothing 🙂 I've been using old t-shirts to make a rug (though at the rate I'm going, I may just make them into trivets or something way smaller than a rug!).
Lauren says
yup, if Jada can't motivate me to get my butt to the gym then NO ONE can!! hahaha.. a rug, wow that def sounds ambitious!
Brandi @ penguinsinpink.com says
What a super cute idea! I love it! I have pinned to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Board and my DIY board.
Lauren says
Thank you! That was such a fun linkup, I will go check out the board later to repin some stuff!
www.inspired-housewife.com says
Love this idea – super cute!
Lauren says
Thank you! Have a wonderful week… its almost Friday! 🙂
Shanice Bannis says
This is so cute! Love it! I would love it if you joined and contribute your awesome posts at my link party at City of Creative Dreams, starts on Fridays at 9AM eastern time 😀 Hope to see you there at City of Creative Dreams Link Party.
Lauren says
I will be sure to check it out, thanks for the heads up! 🙂
Jennifer - The Deliberate Mom says
Oh my goodness, this is totally and completely cute! LOL – using Shape magazine as a ruler. You;re awesome!
I have got to make this!
Thanks for sharing.
xoxo
Lauren says
Thanks Jennifer! I just linked it up on my most favorite Thursday blog hop… can you guess which one? 😉
Jennifer - The Deliberate Mom says
Which one?! 😉
I'm actually so thrilled you linked up this AWESOME post to the #SHINEbloghop!
I'm pinning this to my Deliberate To Do List board!
Have a great day!
xoxo
Steph @HTRT | R8Jobs says
Wonderful idea. Pinning this and setting up an upcycling craft project for my daughter's Girl Scout troop…. Thanks! 🙂
Lauren says
Thank you! I think that is so awesome that you are going to use it with your daughter's Girl Scout troop!! Have fun!
Seaweed and Raine says
What a fab idea! I don't know if I have any T's that I want to part with… Maybe I'll have to try it with a cheap-y one first. 😉
Phyllis @ Verified Mom says
Great idea! I have to dig around and see if I can find a t-shirt I can tear apart! 🙂 I started doing yoga so I bet this would be great for that!
survivingtoddlerhood.com says
These are so cure! I tried to make a couple of these once and one worked and the other was horrible. I love the one with the triangle air spot. 🙂
Mrs.AOK says
CUTE!!! Now, I need to go through my drawers and get to cutting. 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
XOXO
Social Media Rewards says
Love these, great way to recycle old tshirts too.
Claudette says
This is awesome, just what I need.
Daizi Zheng says
That’s so great! I wanted to buy some tops for exercise and it never occurred to me I could make my own. Awesome.