Mamma Can Do It--Classic T-Shirt Hack: Attached Belt

For this hack, I tried to create a different silhouette. The Classic T-Shirt is fitted around the bust but then flares towards the bottom. If you are well-endowed, this can somewhat distort things depending on the fabric you  choose. I started with the short sleeve version of the Classic T-Shirt.

Then I cut a piece of fabric to make the "belt" portion. It was between 4 and 5 inches, I believe. I made it long enough to tie in the back of the shirt.

Then, I folded in the ends, so I wouldn't have any raw edges on the finished belt. I sewed the edges down using a straight stitch. 

Then, I placed the belt right sides facing each other and folded the fabric in half. Next, I sewed the long edge shut with a straight stitch.

Once the fabric was a tube, it was time to turn it right side out. I used a fabric turner to make life easier. 

After turning the fabric. I sewed the short ends shut to make it look more finished. Then, I pinned the belt to the front of the shirt in a location that would be right under the bust. I sewed this from side seam to side seam, using a straight stitch.

Next, I sewed the belt down "in the groove" of the side seams, so things wouldn't move around too much. After that, I just had to tie the shirt in the back. (My belt length got a little wonky on one side, so things aren't even. Oops!)

The true test was putting it on myself because my mannequin and I are not the same in the bust. Thankfully, the belt fit where I wanted it, right under the bust line, which made the shirt look a bit more form-fitting. 

Mamma Can Do It--Classic T-Shirt Hack: Flutter Sleeves

After making the tank version of the Classic T-shirt, I wanted to try something different. I chose a flutter sleeve because one of my favorite handmade shirts has a flutter sleeve, and it looks great. It is a simple hack that completely changes the look of the shirt. I found my old pattern and created a similar sleeve piece. It looks a lot like a donut with a piece missing! I cut it out and checked to make sure the size would fit with my Classic T-shirt. It worked well.
Next, I made a narrow hem on the outside edge of the flutter sleeves. I made sure to use a flexible stitch, so that the material can move and doesn't look too stiff. After the narrow hem, I attached the flutter sleeve to the shoulder and rest of the arm hole of my Classic T-shirt. That's all I had to do. It was quick and easy but made the shirt look very different.