Tutorial: Take that boxy band T-shirt from zero to hero

The Alaska weather may sometimes tell you otherwise, but we are currently in summer, and that means music festival season.

How many of you have bought oversized, boxy band shirts that are now collecting dust in your closet? With Salmonfest and the Alaska State Fair right around the corner, you can prepare yourself by repurposing those old shirts. With a pair of Xtratufs and a flannel, there's still time to make the best of Alaska's festival season.

Below are three tutorials, and only one calls for sewing. All of them require less than 10 minutes to take your boxy tee from drab to fab.

T-shirt refashion 1: The simple tank

What you'll need: A T-shirt that's a size too big, sharp scissors (fabric scissors are best), chalk, a tank top that fits you well.

Step 1: Lay your T-shirt flat on a work surface and place your tank top on top of it, lining up the shoulder straps of the tank with the top of the T-shirt.

Step 2: With the chalk, mark the T-shirt around the edges of the tank top neck and armholes. Trace the bottom of the tank if it is shorter than the T-shirt.

Step 3: Remove the tank top. Fold the T-shirt in half lengthwise and cut the neckline. Do the same with the armholes, cutting both at the same time so they are even.

Step 4: Trim the bottom of the T-shirt. If the bottom of the tank top was about the same length as the shirt you can leave the original hem, but if you want to be edgy, trim right above the hem so you have a raw edge. Remove chalk marks with a damp sponge.

Step 5: Don a flower crown and rock out with your comfortable tank top.

T-shirt refashion 2: The tied crop top

What you'll need: A T-shirt that's a size too big, sharp scissors, chalk

Step 1: Think like an origami artist and fold the T-shirt so the side seams are in the middle and the front logo is folded in half. When it's laid flat, one sleeve should be facing up in the middle.

Step 2: Draw your ties with the chalk. Determine how cropped you want your top, and draw a line parallel to the hem from the back of the shirt toward the middle. Draw down toward the hem for one side of the tie. Make the tie about 2 inches wide. At the front of the shirt draw inward about half an inch and then downward, thus completing the width of the tie. Cut along the lines you made.

Step 3: Trim off the collar of the shirt and the sleeve hems so the edges are raw. Remove chalk marks with a damp sponge.

Step 4: Put on the shirt and tie it in the front.

Step 5: Put on some heart glasses and a jean jacket, and then strut because you are so cool and crafty.

T-shirt refashion 3: Oversized grocery bag

What you'll need: An extra-large T-shirt, scissors, chalk, sewing machine (a needle and thread could work too), straight pins and a plastic grocery bag

Step 1: Use the plastic grocery bag as a template for the handles: Lay it on top of the T-shirt so the tops of the handles line up with the shoulders of the shirt.

Step 2: With your chalk, mark the T-shirt around the handles of the grocery bag. Mark the bottom as well if you want your bag to be shallower than the original length of the shirt.

Step 3: Remove the bag. Fold the shirt in half lengthwise and cut the neckline and sleeves where you made the chalk marks. Cut the bottom of the shirt if you'd like.

Step 4: Turn the shirt inside out and pin along the bottom of the shirt. Sew a straight stitch across the bottom, then sew a zigzag stitch across for reinforcement. Trim the threads. Remove chalk marks with a damp sponge.

Step 5: Turn right-side out and stuff your new bag with all your music festival necessities such as a comfy hoodie, Polaroid camera and a thermos.

Natasha Price is an Anchorage blogger and freelance florist. Find more of her tutorials at alaskaknitnat.com.

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