WAYS TO CUT

SEW TRIM & TIE

YOU R T-S HIR T
INTO SOMETHING SPECIAL
FAITH AND JUSTINA BLAKENEY,
ANKA UVAKOVIC, ELLEN SCHULTZ
 99 WAYS TO GUT, SEW, TRIM & TIE
YOUR T-SHIRT INTO SOMETHING SPECIAL

FaitL Blakeney, Jnstina Blakeney,

Anka Livakovic, and EEen Schultz of Gompai
C0MPAI

POTTER
CRAFT

NEW YORK
foreword

A do-it-yourself manual with 99 dizzying, unusual ways

to cut, sew, fold, flip, and curl your T-shirt.
Today, the T-shirt is a cult object. It is an emblem
of the fashion industry, a vehicle for the most incredible mes¬
sages, a testimony of our time, and an interface between us, our
brains, our bodies, and the world around us. A symbol of democ¬
racy, they are all equal yet different, infinitely personalized, and
now wrinkled, crinkled, spicy, scented, and smoked!
Conceived by the young doctors of Compaq this book was
created to stimulate and share creativity.
Now everyone can try the numerous style variations and
invent new ones! You can participate in the invention of an
alternative to the commercial direction of the fashion industry.

Lapo Binazzi
Florence, Italy
note from the authors

This is not just a book; this is the first publication in a

series that constitutes a new movement in fashion.
Compai is a band of young hearts and minds working
together to infuse fashion with new meaning, give it a new life,
and rehabilitate it. Compai’s Style Clinic was born in Florence,
Italy, a small group with big ideas: Compai.
It all began with five young designers, a pair of scissors,
bundles of used and abused clothes, a little cash, and a lot of
style. We, the doctors of The Style Clinic — Faith Blakeney,
Justina Blakeney, Anka Livakovic, Lise Pedersen, Chris Scott,
and Ellen Schultz— are resuscitating the industry by demand¬
ing in-house production, ecological awareness (recycling),
experimentation, and much, much style.
attention!!!
Feel free to mix techniques and styles and apply them to old clothes. Get
EXPERIMENTAL!
Free your mind: we are all artists ! We chose to limit our designs to the use
of one pair of scissors, a needle, and thread. This does not mean you need to limit
yourself. EXPLORE your possibilities and the materials around you such as safety
pins, yarn, ribbon, zippers, elastic, etc.
There are very few things in LIFE that do not have limitations.
IMAGINATION is one of them; it is an inexhaustible source of inspiration.
Use it.
Read instructions carefully before transforming; it only takes one minute
to read the instructions, but it could take as little as 10 seconds to ruin your T. Do
the math.
Calculate (at least a little) the measurements (for example, if you know
the strip you’re cutting is for the waist, make it to fit the waist).
All Ts are unique ! Some are soft, old, stiff and new, some are tiny, some
huge. RESPECT your T— choose an appropriate style for it. It will be eternally grate¬
ful and you will reap the benefits. If your T is printed, work with it! If you don’t like
the print, flip it inside out. Watch out for some print that is hard to sew on. Many T ’ s
can also be worn backwards for an alternative look.
Most all Ts will have hems around sleeves, neck and bottom. Make sure to
take them into account when you are transforming. Make them work for you, or cut
them off and use them for something else.
Save scraps. You never know when they might come in handy. (If not for
this T, for the next). We LOVE leftovers.
If you have had enough of this book at any point in your long and prosper¬
ous life, do not chuck it!

PASS IT ON: PASS ON THE LOVE, HAND IT DOWN, RECYCLE IT, REHABILITATE IT.

* ificific
Stars signify level of difficulty: = easy; = difficult
table of contents
1 morgan 34 dana
2 natalie 35 kira 67
68 pamela
christel
3 bette 69 Stella
36 yoshiko 70 audrey
4 irma 37 tamara
5 miranda 38 marta 71 elsa
6 annie 72 alynn
7 nora 40' river 73 eve
39 sole’
8 kiara 41 faith 74 caitlin
9 rachel 75 bridget
42 jamie
lOliosa 76 leila
43
44 jade
sanya
11 eden 77 Use
45 saga 78 emily
12 lisen
13 marilyn 46 camille
14 victoria 47 toni 79
80 phoebe
sarit
15 mimi 48 lisa 81 carrie
16 ronnie 82 destiny
49 jessiea 83 sayo
17 gaia 60 sean
18 claudia 51 anamay 84 sasha
19 justina 52 umi 85 evanka
20 miriam 53 indigo
21 susanna 54 kara 86
87 julia
helena
22 mel 55 naila 88 zoe
23 jada 56 agnes 89 nikki
24 maria 57 katherine 90 tina
25 corey 58 isolde 91 megan
26 alley 59 lucia 92 barbara
27 Silvia 60 chloe 93 Ussy
94 katerina
28 liberty 61 vera
29 anka 62 leah
30. p 95 gloria
63 ellen 96 elisa
31 malia 64 idde 97 colette
32 cindy 65 hanna 98 nadrne
33 linda 66 alicia 99 iman
-jVr a/ reCfr/E (ertrk
 20 min.
**

1. cut to round neck

2. cut to sleeveless
3. cut open sleeves on seams
4. sew sleeves together as indicated to make a cylinder
5. cut off extra material from sleeves for a clean
turtleneck
6. sew neck onto turtle (ju.st kidding); sew neck onto
neckline, and there you go !
•fVr a/ ^m-oira/\ (Wk
 TCaaa
25 min.

1. cut V-neck in front, round neck in Teack

2. cut tiny cap sleeves
3. cut T in half at waist, only in front
4. cut up the bottom middle to center
5. cut triangles out where indicated
6. cut 3 strips from sleeves
7. pierce 6 holes in front of T where shown
8. cut hack bottom to hipster
9. sew bottom pieces back to waist using the gathering
method
10. thread the strips into holes and tie knots on each end
1. cut tiny cap sleeves
2. cut round neck
3. cut back off up to armpits in U shape
4. use leftover piece to make 2 strips: 1 thick, 1 thicker
5. sew thicker strip across bottom back of T (as shown)
6. sew thick strip across middle back of T
fW a/ 0£rtr( M try-JL
 16 min.

1 . cut V-neck in front

2. cut front open, straight down
3. cut off bottom part of T into 2 thick strips
4. sew 1 strip onto each end of front flaps
5. tie front and go!
 I
[— w

miranda

frr a/
 AAA
16 min.

1 . cut serious U-neck in front, round

neck in back
2. cut sleeves to boy style
3. cut strip from bottom of T
4. cut leftover sleeve open and trim
it to desired shape for pocket
5. sew strip onto top edge of pocket,
gathering to create ruffled effect
6. sew pocket onto T and put
something in it!
anme

aj c/a/k\A/oJl, ItrerV-
 6 min.

1. cut sleeves off

2. cut triangles from shoulders in front and back
3. cut bottom of T low in front and high on sides as
shown
4. cut 2 strips from leftover bottom
5. cut 2 slits on front of T next to each triangle
6. thread each strip through slit and tie around shoul¬
der strap into bow
 8 mm.

1. cut sleeves to tank

2. cut strip off bottom
3. cut 4 slits where indicated
4. lace strip into slits
5. tie strip in knot or how
fVr a/ A-urpp'f', kzi/WC/\\/W itrtrV-
 28 min.
aaXa

1. cut T in half horizontally at armpits

2. cut darts from top of bottom half of T
3. cut 3 slits up bottom of front of T
4. cut 2 strips from bottom of the top half of T
5. cut triangles from sleeves as indicated
6. cut triangles from each shoulder as indicated
7. sew the 2 darts at the bust closed
8. sew triangles into slits at bottom of T
0/
(Wk
 AAAA
20 min.

1. cut round neck

2. cut cap sleeves
3. cut leftover sleeve pieces as Indicated
4. cut 2 strips from bottom
5. sew strips together to make 1 long strip
6. sew long strip around neckline using gathering
technique
7. sew on 4 leftover sleeve pieces, 2 on each sleeve as
shown
fYr a/v\ a/^nkki/W A'fra’f frrk
 16 min.

1. cut T open at front center from top to bottom

2. cut short horizontal slices on both sides of T
3. tie knots
 AAA
24 min.

1 cut boy-style sleeve on 1 side, front and back

2. cut diagonally from neckline to opposite armpit, front
and back
3. cut leftovers into a spiral strip
4. cut a triangle on front starting from bottom
5. cut 1 tiny bole on each side of triangle
6. sew the strip onto neckline using gathering technique
(make sure you have enough material to go all the way
around the neck)
7. cut 2 slits on either side of triangle as indicated
8. cut leftover from triangle into 1 strip
9. thread strip in holes and tie tight
 8 min.

1. cut diagonally from neckline to opposite armpit on

front and back
2. cut remaining sleeve to boy style
3. cut strip off bottom
4. cut bottom to asymmetrical hipster
5. make strip from leftover piece
6. pierce 4 holes: 2 in front, 2 in back where indicated
7. use 2 strips for shoulder straps, threading them
through holes
8. knot shoulder straps to secure
marilyn

w]/ i/Hi/
0/ n \rcr-
 28 min.

1. cut boatneck
2. cut off bottom of T where indicated
3. sew arms shut
4. sew bottom of T onto neck (or in this case, the waist!)
5. tuck arms into T to create pockets
 14 min.

1. cut U-neck
2. cut cap sleeves
3. spiral-cut bottom of T 4 times around.
4. cut spiral strip in half
5. pierce 2 holes in each sleeve
6. thread strips into holes, 1 strip in each sleeve
7. wrap strips around arm or leave hanging
mimi
 14 min.

1. cut U-neck
2. cut cap sleeves
3. cut 3 strips from bottom
4. sew top and bottom of 1 strip onto T at waist or
under bust to make a “tube,” making sure to leave space
in front center of T for tying
5. sew other 2 strips together to make a long strip
6. thread strip through tube and tie
(note: stick a safety pin in the end of the strip when you
thread it so it is easier to pull)
1. cut U-neck in front and serious U-neck in back
2. cut sleeves to boy style
3. cut out strip from around back neckline as shown,
leaving strips attached to T at top
4. tie strips
ftry iwicrC/wk-w/QA/A/M (trcrk
 14 min.

1. cut boatneck
2. cut cap sleeves
5. cut strip off bottom of T
4. cut strip in half
5. sew each strip onto sides of T
6. tie in front or back
 AAA
20 min.

1. cut round neck

2. cut serious boy-style sleeves
3. cut 3 strips from bottom of T
4. sew strips together to make 1 long strip
5. cut triangle from front center of T
6. cut 6 vertical slits, 3 on each side of triangle
7. lace up triangle, tying at top or bottom
1. out round neck
2. cut sleeves to boy style
3. cut double triangle from leftover sleeve
4. pierce hole in front center under neckline
5. thread double triangle into hole and tie tightly
6. cut bottom of T off
7. cut small slit on 1 side seam
8. insert bottom into slit and sew
miriam

frr a/ b'za/C'Qv-V'W fw
1. cut serious U-neck
2. cut sleeves to boy style
3. cut half circles on sides, starting under the bust
4. continue cutting straps from front to back; stop before
bottom
5. cut out back of T leaving squares on sides, thick strap
at bottom, and long straps you just made
6. cut slits on square pieces
7. cut bottom diagonal starting from one side seam (leav¬
ing seam intact)
8. cross straps on back and thread them into holes, tying
as shown
#/n

a/v\,o i/Pnl'
 10 min.

1. cut boatneck
2. cut butterfly sleeves
3. cut double triangles out of sides of T as suggested in
diagram
fVi" a/ frrk
 (

20 min.

1. cut sleeves to boy style

2. cut straps as indicated
3. cut V-neck in front and U-neck in back
4. cut bottom to arrow hipster in front and back
5. cut 2 strips from the leftover corners
6. pierce 4 holes, 1 on each strap
7. thread strips through holes to connect shoulder straps
8. tie
 10 min. **

on back and front as shown

3. cut slits: 2 far apart in front under bust, and 2 at same
level, but close together in back
4. cut 2 strips off bottom and sew together to create 1
long strip
5. thread strip through slits, tying in front or back
maria

4/tA, emnm, C/tyv\/C/ ItrtrV

 A
min. AA

1. cut
boatneck
2. cut
thick strip from bottom
3. sew
boatneck shut
4. cut
strip to fit waist
5. sew strip onto bottom of T, gathering if necessary
corey
 ~ t^ i— t^
AAA
18 min.

1. cut U-neck in front and round neck in back

2. cut sleeves to boy style in front
3. cut back in half horizontally from armpit to armpit
4. cut up 1 side of T to armpit
5. cut 12 slits, 6 on each side on bottom half of T
6. spiral-cut sleeves to make strips and sew together
7 thread long strip through holes to attach back and
front of T
 AAA

1. cut boatneck
2. cut off thick strip from bottom of T
3. sew bottom closed
4. sew strip onto sleeves
Silvia

fW #/a K/aXes^r'f'^/fp^ fra/a^eare^s

 20 mm.

1. cut cap sleeves

2. cut to V-neck In front, serious U-neck in back
3. cut strip off bottom
4. use U-neck leftover to cut 3 thin strips
5. braid 3 strips in the middle
6. sew ends of strips onto T as indicated
 8 min.

1. cut V-neck
2. cut sleeves to boy style
3. cut a strip from each sleeve
4. cut out triangle from bottom, side
5. cut 2 slits on top of triangle
6. cut 2 slits on 1 shoulder strap
7. use one strip to connect slits at triangle
8. use other strip to connect slits at shoulder
1. cut T across front as indicated
2. cut straight across in back
3. cut strip off bottom
4. cut triangle down center
5. place strip between 2 sides of triangle; knot triangle
around strip
6. tie strip in bow for halter
try- 0/v\ S' Ok kia/wv (crtr k
 16 min.

1. cut U-neck, also cutting 1 sleeve off as shown

2. cut butterfly sleeve on remaining sleeve
3. cut 4 strips from front
4. cut 1 strip from hack
5. braid 3 strips
6. sew on braid as strap on front and back
fcry a/ vcajyy^try (crcrk
 - * .... * * ..
AAA
20 min.

1. cut rounded V-neck in front, round neck in back

2. out serious boy-style sleeves in front
3. cut strip from bottom
4. cut arrow hipster in front and back
5. cut horizontal line from armpit to armpit in back
6. cut 2 horizontal slits in back where shown
7. cut out triangular form in back, as shown
8. pierce 4 holes in back flap, as shown
8. thread strip through holes and slits
9. sew strap in place at slits
 AAAA
24 min.

1. cut U-neck
2. cut cap sleeves
3. cut bottom of T off diagonally
4. cut 2 strips from top of bottom half of T
5. pierce holes along edges of top and bottom, on front
and back of T, where indicated
6. use strips to lace top of back to bottom
7. reunited!
fW a/ ki/Mfl/kfe (prk
 yCKK
18 min.

1. cut V-neck
2. cut sleeves to hoystyle
3. cut 2 strips from each sleeve
4. sew strips together to make 2 long strips
5. sew a long strip onto each sleeve using gathering
technique
1. cut out big U from back, leaving hem on bottom
2. cut out form for pocket from leftover piece, as shown
3. sew big pocket onto front; don’t sew hand hole shut!
 20 min. ~|U«-
kC?k

1. cut thick strip from bottom of T

2. cut 3 double triangles from eacb side of T
3. sew big strip back onto T on 1 side
fW a/ otmfi/tlmi,
 18 min. M:

f rtrvA ba/cM fVrni

1. cut cap sleeves

2. cut U-neck in front, round neck in back
3. cut triangle from bottom of T on both sides as shown
4. use leftover triangles to cut 4 strips
5. sew each strip on back and front to desired tightness
 16 min.
**

1. cut sleeves to boy-style

2. cut thick strip from bottom front
3. cut thin strip from leftover thick strip
4. cut triangle in bottom center of T
5. cut 2 slits on either side of triangle
6. thread strip into slits and tie as desired
 12 min.
**

1. cut wide U-neck in front and back

2. cut super-serious boy sleeves
3. cut strip from leftover sleeve
4. gather back and sew strip closed around it
L cut off sleeves and neck in front as indicated
2. cut a horizontal line from armpit to armpit on hack
3. cut strip from bottom
4. knot strip as desired; cut into 2
5. sew knotted strips onto front as straps
6. tie as halter
0T 0/
 _ t_

££ min AAA

1. cut serious U-neck

2. cut cap sleeves
3. cut sleeves to boy style
4. cut off bottom under bust
5. cut slits up side of seams
as darts
6. sew big leftover pieces from sleeves into slits
7. sew bottom back onto top
trr a/
 AAAA
26 min.

1. cut one side of T open through sleeve as shown

2. cut open top of sleeve and both shoulders
3. open T flat
4. cut diagonal line across entire T as shown
5. cut vertical slits along bottom of T
6. cut strip from leftover piece
7. sew outer sleeves and seams back together
8. thread strip through slits and tie at “waist”
jamie

f cry O' {yirnvflfl, Itrtrk

1. cut serious boatneck
2. cut round cap sleeves
3. cut strip off bottom of T
4. pierce 2 holes in front bottom center of T
5. turn inside out and sew armholes together
6. fold “bottom” of T down and sew as shown
7. turn right-side out
8. using a safety pin, stick strip through tube
9. tuck arms in and use as pockets
10. pull strip for your personal measure (don't forget to
tie knots at ends of string)
 AAAA
SI min.

1. cut rounded V-neck in front, round neck in back

2. cut sleeves to boy style
3. mark 2 triangles on bottom front
4. cut triangle in bottom center of back and continue in
line through neck
5. create darts in front by sewing several vertical stitches
as shown
6. sew back center
 5 min.

1. cut sleeves off

2. fold T in hsOf and cut out holes in shape of half hearts
1. cut cap sleeves
2. cut boatneck
3. cut thin strip from bottom of T
4. cut strip in half
5. sew 2 strips onto bottom of T
6. sew leftovers from sleeves closed to make pockets
7. sew pockets onto T under the strips
8. pierce pockets, thread strips through holes, and tie
 17 min. **

1. cut sleeves to boy style

2. cut leftovers into 2 thick strips
3. cut neck into serious V-neck in front
4. cut round neck in back
5. cut rounded V from bottom as indicated
6. turn T inside out and sew strips onto each side of
V-neck
7. sew the last strip on the back (per step 6)
8. turn T right-side out and put it on!
 13 min.

b'O/cM

1. cut round neck

3. cut thick strip off bottom

4. cut off half of T horizontally where indicated
5. cut U-shape from hack as shown
6. cut leftover strip in half
7. sew strips on both sides of back of T and tie
 12 min. **

1. cut serious boatneck

2. cut down front center of T several inches/cm
3. cut 2 strips off bottom of T
4. cut strips in half
5. cut 2 slits close, but not too close together on front
sides of T
6. sew 2 strips, one on each side, to front of T at same
level as slits
7. thread strip through slit and tie
8. sew other 2 strips onto either side of neck slit and
tie
jessica
 20 min.

h-o/cM
f

1. cut V-neck in front, round neck in Oaek

2. cut to sleeveless
3. cut horizontally across front of T, touching point of
V-neck
4. cut U as shown from front center of T
5. cut hipster bottom in back
6. cut 2 horizontal slits on either side of U
7. slip shoulder flaps into slits and sew them secure
8. work it!
 AAA
19 min.

1. cut sleeves, starting under the armpit and finishing

before shoulder seam as shown
2. cut pieces from each sleeve on back and front (do not
cut them off!)
3. cut T in half horizontally
4. sew bottom half of T on neck
5. tie pieces from sleeves in knots
 16 min.
**

2. cut large upside-down U-sliape from back of T

3. cut out smaller U from back leftover piece as shown
4. sew sleeve leftovers into 1 strip
5. sew strip onto back U where indicated
6. flip back piece over and sew it onto front for layered
effect
 AAA
22 min.

3. pinch and sew to make tube in center of front

4. knot strip on 1 end
CO CO

. thread through tube using safety pin

. knot other end of strip, gathering T as desired
 AAA
4 min.

1. put T on side
2. cut out hole on “top,” eliminating most of sleeve for
neck hole
3. cut out another hole on bottom, eliminating most of
sleeve for waist
* *wear with something underneath (tank top/bathing
suit) because of sexy, exaggerated armhole
-fVr a/ JLzc/irv\,k\v\A/C/\z/!l (trtrp-
 — 8— I— f—

20 min.
aATCa

1. cut serious U-neck in front and round neck in back

2. cut serious boy-style sleeves
3. spiral-cut 1 sleeve into long strip
4. pierce 1 side with 5 doles
5. cut out preferred letter from leftover U-neck (in this
case, “K” )
6. thread strip through holes and tie at bottom
7. resew leftover front-neck-hem piece back onto front of
T at central rim of front neckline
naiia

fpr ft fwi/nnae
 10 min.

1. cut serious round neck

2. cut darts from neckline in front where shown
3. cut pairs of slits: 10 in front, 10 in hack
4. cut 2 strips from bottom
5. sew strips together to make 1 long strip
6. thread strip through slits and tie in bow
 14 min.

1. cut bottom of T diagonally in front and back as shown

2. cut top from under armpit across T to neckline in
front and back
3. at top of T, cut 2 darts in front and 2 darts in back
4. sew up darts
1. cut sleeves to boy style
2. cut U-neck in front, round neck in back
3. pierce 9 holes in T as shown
4. cut 2 strips from bottom
5. weave both strips through slits
6. knot strips to fix in place
 15 min.
**

1. cut round neck

2. sleeves to doy style in front, tank style in back
cut
3. cut
asymmetrical hipster
4. 2 strips from leftover bottom
cut
5. 2 slits on sides of front at waist
cut
6. sew strips together to make 1 long strip
7. thread long strip into slits as shown
8. wrap around waist and tie
 12 min.

L cut V-neck
2. cut very thin spiral 4 times around bottom of T
3. pierce 12 doles in T (2 rows of 6)
4. lace up your T !
fVr a/ oia/kklc/ f,
 6 min.

1. cut sleeves to boy style

2. cut 4 horizontal strips vertically from center of T
3. pierce T 3 times on each side of back where indicated
4. thread strips through holes to join sides
5. tighten as desired
 1

frr a/ btd&ftvM/ itrtrV

 AAA
30 min.

1. cut round neck in front, serious U-neck in back

2. cut 2 strips vertically down back center of T
3. cut seam open on 1 sleeve
4. pierce sleeve on both sides of slits, 14 holes per sleeve
5. pierce holes on back of T
6. lace up the back and the sleeve
7. tie, if desired
1. cut, bustline as shown above
2. cut 2 strips from bottom of T
3. pierce 4 holes, 1 in each point of new bustline
(not too close to edge)
4. cut 2 strips in half
5. knot each strip at 1 end
6. thread strips through holes
7. tie strips and go!
trr fl/n a/k-kw?% {-a/tr-yfo-ocnA/t.Jl-b'? icrtrY
 AAA
18 min.

1. cut T In half horizontally under bust

2. cut 2 strips from bottom of T
3. cut 8 vertical slits under bust line: 4 in front, 4 in back
4. thread 1 strip through slits and tie
5. sew other slit into flower (see glossary of techniques,
p. 205)
6. you’re set to go girl!
 •
*

AAAA
24 min. 4JJLL

>> 1

/ i*—
un
* Vj
\
'i
/ «
\ 77
1. cut serious —*{—
U-neck in front
2. cut sleeves to boy — -
1
-Hr
style in front fhrnf :'!
3. cut T in half at /(
\
waist in front and
back
4. cut 2 spaghetti
straps from back
5. from below
armpits, cut slightly
curved line at bust
in back
6. cut bottom in half
vertically at center
in back
7. sew bottom back onto front using gathering technique
8. sew straps to back of T, crossing them over in back (if
you have enough material)
 1 min.

1. write your favorite word on T

2. cut sleeves to hoy style
3. cut U-neck
4. cut 2 strips from sleeve leftovers
5. cut 2 slits into each shoulder strap
6. put strips through slits and tie
 6 min.

1. cut sleeves to boy style

2. cut 3 strips from center of back and front
3. pierce 6 holes on back of T where indicated
4. lace strips through holes and tie
try- oj c/trtri, otrnfi/JLm f
 - 1— t ^ I^

AAA
18 min.

4. cut 3 darts on front, 2 on back where Indicated (take

size of T into consideration when making darts)
5. sew leftover sleeve strips into 1 long strip
6. sew darts closed
7. sew strip onto bottom of T
 Wv . W
AAA
24 min.

1. cut super-serious
rounded V-neck in
front, round neck in
back
2. cut sleeves to doy
style
3. cut kipster bottom
in front and back,
making back longer
than front (make sure you bave enough leftover material
from front to do next step)
4. cut a tiny strip off of big strip
5. use leftover strip from front, fold in half, and sew as
indicated
6. thread little strip through tube
7. place big strip across deep neck inside the T; sew side
seams
Stella

jVs 0/ §/tr\ C/YO'YY^<^/

1. cut form in front starting under dust as shown
2. cut form in hack starting under bust as shown
3. cut diamond from back
4. cut strip from bottom
5. sew strip on front and back of T
 4 min.

1. cut neck into asymmetrical V-neck in front, serious

U in bank
2. cut 1 sleeve to cap the other to boy style
3. cut bottom off diagonally as shown
1. cut U-neck
2. cut sleeves to boy style
3. cut 2 strips from sleeves
4. cut strip from bottom
5. cut 4 long slits, 1 above the other in front as shown
6. sew long strip on as belt
7. tie remaining 2 strips onto shoulder straps
 7C1CK
20 min.

f&k'

3. cut bottom strip off

4. sew strip onto T under bust using gathering technique,
and voila!
 **
28 min.

1. cut out T around edges as shown

2. resew the front and hack of T together
(obviously not the head hole, armholes, or the bottom)
3. you gotta love the inside-out look!
 lit*
! mm
H

caitTin

-fW & Jlro'^-tlza/tl-fotrr^e'iA/k (trtrV-

 AAA

ka/oY
1. cut U-neck in front, round neck in back
2. cut super-serious boy-style sleeves in front
3. cut slit a few inches long from back center bottom of T
4. cut horizontally across, from top of slit to side seams
5. cut from outer edge of new sleeve holes around new
neckline as shown
6. use leftover piece to cut strip (as long as possible)
7. sew strip onto back in center, connecting neckline to
waistline
 ^ « — i — »^
AAA
24 min.

1. cut T in half horizontally

2. cut form from front and back of T, making sure to
make the base a good size for your bust! (as shown)
3. sew cut form onto bustline of T, with wide ends
gathered along top front of bottom piece of T
 6 min.

1. cut open front center

2. cut strip from bottom
3. cut 4 slits at waist, 2 on each side of front
4. thread strip through slits as shown, then tie
Use

fW 4/ Ad'£rJi-M/^( ba/Jl
 1. cut 4 strips
from sleeves,
leaving top
part of sleeves
intact as
shown
2. cut bottom
front in
serious hipster
3. cut bottom
back in hipster
4. cut 4 slits at
bust where shown
5. use 2 strips to make bow at shoulders
6. use other 2 strips to tie in slits at bust
-fW a/
 14 min. **

1. cut T in 2 at bust
2. cut 6 thin strips from bottom of T
3. pierce holes in T: 6 in front and 6 in back
4. thread each strip through hole in front to
corresponding hole in back
5. knot each strip on both ends to secure the 6 shoulder
straps (crossing the most inner strips in back, if desired)
6. work it!
 4 min.

1. cut triangular form at neckline

2. cut triangular form from bottom corner
(leave hem intact!)
3. cut triangular form from sleeve on opposite side
(leave hem intact again!)
4. cut hems in half at sleeve and bottom of T
5. tie it up !
 V=.. :h,k

furnf kti/C/V frnaf

1. cut cap sleeves and boatneck

2. cut almond-shaped hole on front, then cut open to side
seam of T
3. cut 2 strips from front bottom
4. cut rounded bottom
5. sew 1 strip on each chest flap
6. sew flaps closed to top from armpit to front hole
came

{err aj \a/v(crnJi frrk

 AAA
19 min.

1. cut boatneck
2. cut cap sleeves
3. cut 2 darts on the bottom of T to just under bust where
shown
4. sew darts closed
0T 0/V\ tA/nJlt n-iti/feX (trtr\-

f.
 _ t— t ^ -
AAA
20 min.

1. cut U-neck
2. cut strip all the way around neckline
3. cut strip in half
4. use pinch technique to make tubes on shoulder seams
and along top of sleeve
5. tie 1 knot on the end of each strip
6. thread each strip through a tube, then pull and tie knot
sayo

ffry a/v\,
a/\ra/v\,T-
 AAAA
4 min.

1. cut serious boy-

style sleeve on one
side
2. cut horizontal
oval at bust for
armhole on front
and back
3. pull the uncut
sleeve down and
sew to bottom hem
ofT
4. turn T around
so serious boy-style
sleeve becomes
head hole
5. try to put it on
 4444*
30 min. AAAA

1. cut boatneck
2. cut cap sleeves
3. pincb 4 darts in front of T, as shown (take your size into
account)
4. sew
 6 min

1. cut butterfly sleeves

2. cut 6 triangles, 3 on front and 3 on back, with base of
triangle close to neck line (make the center triangle a
little bigger than the others)
3. cut triangles for slits on the sides of the T
4. wasn’t that easy?
fW a/ \tnr- §,r\-\ir4/tmJU(z frrk
 **
17 min.

1. cut off neck and sleeve in

front as shown
2. cut a vertical slit from
center top to under bust
3. cut horizontal line from
armpit to armpit in back
4. cut strip from bottom
5. fold top front flaps over and
sew 2 tubes
6. thread strip into the 2 tubes and make a knot as shown
7. tie behind neck like a halter top
 mjnm
AAAA
30 min

1. cut round neck

2. cut 2 strips from bottom
3. cut slits on 1 side as shown
4. sew 2 strips together into 1 long strip
5. weave long strip through slits as shown
 iron

1. cut, U-neek
2. cut serious boy-style sleeves in front
3. cut diagonal line from armpit to armpit in back
4. cut straps onto back as shown (the longer the better)
5. tie straps as halter
1. cut V-neck In front, round neck in back
2. cut sleeves off as shown
3. use leftovers from 1 sleeve to make spiral-cut flower
(see glossary of techniques, p. 205)
4. sew flower on center front of T
1. cut bottom of T Into hipster In front
2. cut 6 vertical slits, 3 on each side of front of T
3. cut out back up to sleeves as shown
4. make a large spiral using leftover piece from back
5. thread long spiral strip through slits across back
and tie
 AAA

1. cut T in half horizontally

2. cut 2 strips from leftover bottom half: 1 thin, 1 thick
3. cut 8 slits into thick strip
4. cut thick strip to desired length for waist
5. sew strip onto bottom of T gathering as necessary
6. thread thin strip through slits and tie where desired
 8 mm.

J, cut round neck

2. cut a slice down back of T
3. use cut slice as belt and sew to desired size
(make sure T is long enough to make a sufficient belt)
 15 min.

fhrnf
1. cut U-neck
2. cut sleeves to tank
3. open both sleeves and cut them into spirals
4. sew 1 end of spiral to the other and sew to front
center of T
 AAA
20 min.

1. cut T in half at waist

2. cut T across bust (from pit to pit)
3. cut 2 thin strips from leftover for straps
4. use 1 sleeve to cut 3 short strips
5. cut open back of T in center
6. pierce 6 holes, 3 on each side of upper back
7. sew bottom piece to bust piece, gathering as desired
8. sew straps onto top
9. thread strips through holes and tie
/
1. cut boy-style sleeve
2. cut neck in front as shown; cut round neck in back
3. cut about 2 inches (5 cm) down the center of back
from neckline
4. cut 2 half-inch (1.25-cm) strips on each side of T,
starting from back slit, following neckline towards front
of T, and stopping before the center, repeat
5. cut 1-inch (2.5-cm) strip from bottom of T
6. pierce 18 holes along new neckline: 8 in front, 8 in
back, and 2 on each shoulder seam (1 on left, 1 on right)
7. cut strip taken from bottom into 2 pieces
8. using 2 attached strips and extra strip cut from
bottom, make a braid around neckline, threading extra
strip through holes along neckline to attach braid to T
9. fix braids with knots in back
fVr OU C/tTY&A/oJL frrk
 AAA
24 min.

1. cut serious round neck in front, round neck in back

2. cut cap sleeves
3. cut out shape in front as shown
4. sew shape back onto shirt upside down
 mm.

1. cut boatneck
2. cut cap sleeves
3. cut 2 big holes on sides of T as shown
4. cut small oval in front center of bust
5. cut 1 strip from each sleeve
6. cut each strip in half
7. sew a strip on each bottom corner
8. tie or knot
frr a/ ka/ndff-tfoh- e frrk
 8 min.

* *

1. cut asymmetrical boatneck

2. cut off front bottom, rounding edges
3. cut hole on back where desired

■
£rr O/vl
(X/^a/k V\\/6&/\k iorB' k
 18 min.
**

1. cut top of T as shown

2. use top of T to cut out 4 thin strips
3. pierce new top of T with 2 small holes in front and 2 in
back (you decide how far apart)
4. knot strips together to add length if desired
5. thread both knotted strips through hole in back to hole
in front
6. make a double knot at hole to fix strap in place on
either side
glossary kimrzk, btrWtrw k, #/nJl
neokk

regular neck spaghetti straps

cap sleeves halter neck is usually the
rounded cap sleeves same form, but straps
have rounded edges; tiny attach behind neck
eap sleeves have small
sleeves cut in the cap
form; butterfly sleeves
have cap sleeves with
one lateral cut on the
shoulder, splitting the
cap sleeves in two
“wings”
deep U

serious V-neck is a deep

V
the(rounded V-neck has
same shape, but
point of V is rounded)
sleeveless

asymmetrical
hipster

boatneck
serious boatneck reaches
tank style tip of each shoulder
arrow hipster
glossary

open darts gathering

by cutting a triangle into the fabric, by making tiny folds m the fabric
then sewing the edges of the and sewing over the folds with small
triangles together, you get open darts stitches, the fabric gathers

/ v \

I ' 'o ) k>.

///*>' \

\' -- j

closed darts ruffle

by pinching a triangle of fabric and by cutting a spiral shape out of
sewing along the edges of the triangle, the fabric, you create a ruffle
you get. closed darts

flower
by making ral,a spiral cut, then
“rolling”spi pinching the
edges, and sewing the bottom
together, you get a flower
measurements
ET ffWf ►vrE’^M/^Wenf A- i'Pp'Pn/ m

avzp fl/n/ deirinJl ItrtrV-'.

thin strip = Vs inch (1.5 cm)

strip = 1 inch (2.5 cm)
thick strip = 3 inch (7.5 cm)
strap = 1 Vs inch (4 cm)

other terms
hole a small puncture in the shirt (be careful to cut
holes small, as cotton tends to stretch)

slit a hole that varies depending on design

thanks
The Style Clinic would like to thank and give praises to:

Sarit for the graphic design

Lise for the effort and organization
Lapo for the interest and the intro

ffUnaka- fenr a/v\,JL

Our interns
Bro’s and Sis’s
Moms and Dads
Grandparents
Higher Power
Compai
Mamina and Liu

for more info on the Compai Style Clinic, visit

www.compai.com

\erw lenr
Copyright and
Livakovic, © 20'06
Ellenby Schultz.
Faith Blakeney, Justina
All designs, Blakeney, and
illustrations, Anka
text by
Faith Blakeney, Justina Blakeney, Anka Livakovic, and Ellen Schultz.
All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Potter Craft, an imprint of the Crown
Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.
www.crownpublishing.com
www.clarksonpotter.com

Originally published as 99 Ways to Cut, Sew, Trim &> Tie Your

T-Shirt into Something Special by the Style Clinic (a division of
Compai) Florence, in 2005.
POTTER CRAFT and CLARKSON N. POTTER are trademarks,
and POTTER and colophon are registered trademarks of
Random House, Inc.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

ISBN 0-307-34556-4
Printed in China

Cover and graphic design by Sarit Melmed

Introduction by Lapo Binazzi
1( ) 9 6 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
First American Edition
Extraordinarily clever ways to
transform any ordinary T-shirt

The pattern techniques are simple, and

the supplies you’ll need are easy to find:

T-shirts, scissors, sewing needle, and
thread. The difficulty of each project is
rated from 1 to 4, and none takes more than

30 minutes to create. You’ll never look plain

wearing a T-shirt and jeans again.

Collectively known as Compai, Faith and .

Justina Blakeney, Anka Livakovic, and Ellen |
Schultz are the force behind the book and the T\ ,
founders of a new fashion movement. Visit / \
them online at www.compai.com.

Cover design by Sarit Melmed

9780307345561
POT I I5
CRAFT

Potter Craft
New York 11/22/2019 7:44-2
www.crownpublishing.com
www.clarksonpotter.com