I was feeling a little creative at the cottage today and so I attempted my first DIY project on an old tank I had brought up with me. Or maybe it was just because we left in such a hurry and I wasn’t satisfied with my choice of tops that I decided to create something. Either way, it only took about 15 mins to transform my basic tank into a DIY fringe top. If you’re feeling up to it, grab a cooler and give it a shot. I promise you’ll be done by the time you take down your drink 🙂
What you will need:
Try your top of choice on first to determine the highest point you want your fringe to start at. I chose 6″, but feel free to customize per your liking.
Lay your top on a flat surface and flatten out any creases/bumps. Especially along the bottom where you will be cutting.
Measure 6″ up from the bottom, at the centre of your top, and along both sides. Mark them lightly with your fabric crayon.
Using your side markings, measure 1″ lower and mark this spot on both sides. Now place your tape measure diagonally from the centre mark to the lower side marking and trace this lightly as well. This will serve as your cutting guideline. Repeat on the other side. (For a more dramatic effect, drop your lowest point by 2″ instead of 1″.)
Repeat same steps on the back side. Tip: Don’t press down too hard on your fabric crayon, instead use short and light strokes; just enough to leave a guideline for yourself (mine is so faint you can barely see it in the photo).
Now that you’ve marked all cutting lines, flip your top back over and place your tape measure directly overtop the centered/highest marking. I like to cut my fringes a little thicker, that way they don’t get too skinny once the fabric starts coiling around itself. I use the tape measure as my cutting gauge (freestyle cutting), but feel free to draw these lines out at any thickness you wish, if this makes it easier for you.
Holding the measuring tape firmly down with one hand, snip up to your marked line along both sides of the measuring tape. Be careful to slip your scissors in between the top layer of fabric only, or you may accidentally cut through the back of your top.
Continue cutting fringe pieces in long strokes along the bottom, until you have created a fringe around the whole top.
Take the two most centre fringe pieces and tie them together tightly. Continue working your way around until you complete the rest of the top.
And voila, you’re done. Style as you wish.
I would love to hear what you thought of my (first) DIY fringe top post. Kindly let me know any feedback/suggestions.
xo