How to Make a DIY Backless Top Inspired By Reformation's Cash Top

Tools and materials:

• Thrift store blouse
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Sewing pins
• Thread
• Sewing machine

1. Disassemble your thrift store shirt

Take apart your thrift store shirt by opening the side seams and cutting off the arms. You should end up with a front and back piece and two arm pieces.

Cut the top of the front piece off so you have a straight edge.

Cut a 6-inch-wide strip from the back piece, measuring from the hem, and keeping the hem intact. 

Using the rest of the back piece, cut out four 1½-inch wide strips. These will become your straps.

2. Make the straps

Sew two of the 1½-inch strips together on a short edge to make one long strap. Then, with right sides in, fold the strip in half lengthwise and sew the open long edge. Cut off the excess fabric in the seam allowance to leave a thin strap.

Use a loop turner to turn your strap right side out, and then repeat this step for the second strap.

Watch the video from 3:34 to 3:50 to see how to make little loops for your straps.

3. Add the straps to the top

Fold the front piece in half, with the right side facing out.

Snip notches on the long open edge of the front piece where you will want to attach the straps and loops. Making the notches on both sides at the same time ensures they will be symmetrical.

Now snip the loops you just made in half, so you have 4 smaller loop pieces. 

With the right sides facing, pin the two long straps to the upper edge of your blouse. Then, pin one of the small loop pieces to the first notch at the top of one side of your blouse, folding it into a loop before you pin it.

Lay the facing piece along the top edge of your blouse over the loop you just pinned in and move the pin, so it is holding the facing, loop, and front piece altogether.

Make sure the pin holding the straps to the blouse is now also holding the facing to the blouse, with the straps in between the facing and the blouse.

Repeat on the other side edge of the blouse.

Straight stitch all around the side and top edges of the blouse and facing.

Then sew the side seams with a double fold-over in a straight stitch.

Here’s the front of my new backless top.

DIY Reformation Cash top tutorial

Here’s a look at how the backless straps and loops work. This is going to be so nice and cool to wear in the summer, and it cost a fraction to make compared to the cost of Reformation's Cash top.

Try it and then let me know, in a comment, how you liked this DIY backless top.