Transform a T-shirt to a Vest

I have to say that one of my pet peeves is when people throw things away in the trash that could easily be donated to Goodwill or a shelter.  It's fine if you don't want something anymore, but if it is still useful, why not donate it to someone that can use it.  Some places will even come to your house to pick it up!  So on that note, I like it when I can create projects out of something I already have around the house!

I've been inspired by all of these great T-shirt transformations that I've seen on the internet.  I decided to try my hand at it.  Luckily, we've just gone through our closets pulling out clothes we haven't worn in a while to donate.  My husband had a long sleeve knit shirt he was donating, so I decided to try and transform it into something for me.  He is a size XL, which was fine for me since I wanted to create a longer vest like the ones that are pretty popular right now. 

All I really needed was a knit shirt or t-shirt, scissors, needle and thread or a sewing machine. 

Begin by cutting your shirt straight down the middle front.  You may want to use a yard stick to keep a straight line.  Be sure to only cut down the front. 

Next you will cut off the sleeves just to the outside of the seam. 

Take the sleeves that you just cut off and trim off the cuffs.  You want to cut right next to the seam so you have the edge that is folded over and sewn.  Cut it open by the seam so that you have a long piece.

Wrap this piece wrong sides out, around the top shoulder of your shirt, through the arm hole and the neck hole.  This should gather the shirt at the shoulder.  You can decide how much or how little you want it gathered there by how big you make your loop.

Pin the piece together and sew it next to where you pinned.  Trim the excess fabric.

Flip the piece so the right sides are out and the seam is on the inside of your shirt.  Hand stitch the piece in place at each end so that it covers the shoulder seam of your shirt.  Do this for both shoulders.

If you like, you can be done here!  Just layer over your favorite T, add a belt and go!  Otherwise you can add a couple of buttons to one side.  I made them decorative rather than functional.

All done!  Super quick and easy!