Time for another awesome upcycle! This time all you’ll need is a long-sleeve polo shirt. You can steal one from your boyfriend or husband, or use your own! In this tutorial, I’ll show how to turn that shirt into a super adorable crop top with bowknot in front. It’s perfect for summer weather and can be worn for either a casual setting or a night out on the town!
By Rosa Padilla
Easily Refashion a Long-Sleeve Polo Shirt Into a Bowknot Crop Top
7 materials
2 Hours
Easy
Tools and materials:
- Long-sleeve polo shirt
- Marking chalk
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Elastic
- Sewing pins
- Sewing machine
Bow crop top
Mark your measurements
Start off by marking the measurements you’ll need for the shirt. Draw a vertical line of 50 cm (19.7”) in length and then mark 18 cm (7”) in width both on the top and bottom of your vertical marking. Then cut out that rectangle.
DIY bow crop top
Pin elastic to the fabric
Fold over the top edge of the fabric and using one pin on the side, fasten a piece of elastic. Add more elastic strips all the way down, and when you get to the bottom fold up the edge first like you did for the first elastic. Then pull the elastic to the end of the fabric and sew it in place. This will create a scrunched up look.
How to sew a bow crop top
Cut out more fabric
Now you’re going to need to cut out another rectangle of fabric. The measurements this time will be 50 cm (19.7”) in length and 25 cm (9.8”) in width. Pin and sew the top and bottom edges in a rolled hem. Take the rectangle with the elastic and pin then sew it to the second rectangle, creating a circle of fabric.
Bow tie crop top
Trim the corners
Next, you’re going to measure 8 cm (3.1”) from the edge on the top of the shirt. Mark it, then draw an angled line to the edge. Do this on both sides, then cut along the angled line.
Front bow crop top
Make straps
Using your spare fabric, cut out two long strips of fabric. Then you’re going to take each one and fold both the long edges and the sides. Pin and sew the straps along the top edges of the shirt.
Big bow crop top
Cut out two more rectangles
Cut off one of the sleeves of the original shirt and open it up. Then use that fabric to cut out a rectangle that’s 32 cm (12.6”) in width and 15 cm (5.9”) in length. Then cut out a second rectangle that’s 32 cm (12.6”) in width and 7 cm (2.8”) in length. Then, setting your machine to a zigzag stitch, sew around the edges of both rectangles, creating a curve in the smaller one.
How to make a big bow
Make the bow
Take a small square of fabric and fold it in half, right sides together, and sew the edges. Then turn it right side out. Now take both of the previous rectangles and pinch them together from the center to create a bow. Use the folded square to wrap around the middle and combine the two pieces together. To see me do this, go to minute 3:09 in the video.
Add a bow to a crop top
Add the bow
Take your bow and place it on the front of the crop top. Hand-sew the edges to the shirt, then pinch down the center of the shirt to line it up with the center of the bow, and hand-sew there as well. Once you’ve done that, your shirt is complete!
Polo to crop top upcycle
How adorable does this look?! I love how this shirt came out. It’s cute and sexy at the same time and it can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. It was relatively easy to do, as well, so I’m really happy with this project. Are you going to give this crop top a shot? If you do, be sure to leave me a picture in the comments!
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