Time for a refashion and photo tutorial for how to add fabric to bottom of shirts! After having two kids, everything has shifted around, and I found that several of my t-shirts felt too short (find more 20+ ways to refashion clothes that are too small here!). Adding a faux second-layer and a pocket jazzed up this plain white tee – now it covers my rear and I can wear it with leggings!
If you’re new to refashioning and don’t have a “stash” of clothes to work from, check out my tips for shopping for refashions and upcycles! If you already have a shirt, read my tips for actually sewing refashions here!
I am so happy with how it turned out! Check out 13+ t-shirt refashion ideas for more inspiration, too!
This are the two shirts I started with – both knit tshirts. The pink one is a little lighter weight and several sizes larger, which gave me more material to work with.
I had initially thought about putting the pink as a longer peplum, on the outside, similar to this leopard skirt refashion from years ago, but once I actually tried it on I decided to put it lower. 
This is a simple refashion; it would be a great first project! Ready to make your own? You can pin this tutorial for how to add fabric to bottom of shirts with this link or collage image:
How to add fabric to bottom of shirts
Supplies
- 2 knit (aka stretchy) tshirts – the skirt portion needs to be from a larger size if you’d like the slightly gathered look
- Ballpoint needles*– important for using when sewing knit fabrics, standard needles will tear tiny holes!
- Coordinating thread
- I recommend an acrylic quilting ruler/cutting mat/rotary cutter* for the straightest cuts, but sharp scissors and a measuring tape will work too!
- Pins
- Iron
Steps
1- Cut off your pocket! Use sharp scissors and make sure to trim off the back without snipping through any of the stitching.
2- Tape or pin the pocket on and try the shirt on, making sure you like the position. I also used tape to mark where my natural waistline was – I initially thought that’s where I wanted the peplum to start but changed my mind! Sew the pocket on, making sure to leave the top opening unsewn, if you want it to be a functional pocket.
3- Trim off the bottom of your secondary shirt – remember it is easier to trim off more than to add any back on! I just held the shirt up and guessed at where to cut, leaving myself some wiggle room. After trying it on, I ended up cutting some more off. Using an acrylic ruler and rotary cutter will get the cleanest cut!
4-Time for gathering! There are lots of ways to gather fabric, my favorite is to crank the tension wheel up as high as it will go, and lengthen the stitch as long as it will go. Sew right along the raw edge and the fabric will magically gather up.
5-Layer the second shirt inside and pin it. I decided that a 3.5″ length was good for me, after trying it on! Make sure your side seams are lined up and the fabric is evenly gathered. No specific numbers – I just pulled the gathering tighter or looser as I went to make sure both layers matched up.
6. Time to sew! Make sure you use a stretch stitch – either the lightning bolt or the triple stitch. I prefer the triple stitch.
Done! A longer, tunic length shirt I will actually wear. Would you wear this refashion?
Cat says
Yes I would totally wear it! I agree that since having kids I need everything to be longer. Many of my tops don’t work anymore for wrangling kids so I should totally do some refashions like this! Thanks for sharing.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Thanks Cat! I can’t believe how much my wardrobe has changed since having kids. Maybe someday I won’t have to literally wrangle them so often, and I can wear dresses again 🙂
Dana Nowell says
I should probably do this instead of create a whole new wardrobe! 🙂 So many of my shirts are waaaay too short. LOVE this idea!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Haha, it is much faster than sewing from scratch 🙂
Dana says
I should probably do this instead of create a whole new wardrobe! ? So many of my shirts are waaaay too short. LOVE this idea!
Vicky Myers says
I love it! So simple and sooo effective:) the pocket is super cute.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Thank you Vicky!!
Mariana says
Beautiful project, Stephanie!
Actually, fewer (could be up to ten) years ago all t-shirts in the shops were shorter than now! It was the ‘trend’ back then the hem line being up than the normal length and what is it now.
So I definitely have tees that need this extension redo, too. I love the way you gathered it.
Definitely trying next time;)
Mariana
Reece says
This is great! I think I’ll try it this week! It’s also a great way to use up those shirt with stains, another problem I’ve had since having kids.
Irene says
I love this remake of two tshirts! And your gathering technique sounds great, will definitely try that some time. Thanks for sharing Stephanie.
xo Irene
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Thanks Irene!
Susan says
Love the t-shirt but love the shoes even more. Could you tell me who makes them? So cute!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Shoot, I cannot remember off the top of my head and they are currently packed up on a POD, we are in the middle of a move! It was not a common brand, I bought them at TJMaxx. I will update in a few months when I get my stuff back 😛
This Thing Of Ours says
Aaaa! Loving the combinations!
Pamela says
That’s pretty cool, i love it, my kids love it, it’s great. I saved a lot of shirts from me and my two boys.
Thank you!
Regards,
Pam
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Thanks Pamela! Happy sewing!
Vicki says
Love this. As someone else mentioned, t-shirts sold a few years ago were shorter than the longer or tunic length I prefer now. I have already tossed all of the ones I no longer wanted, but I held onto the lovely holiday tees with bling designs or even simple designs – all too pretty to let go of! Since they only get worn a few times each season they are still in great shape so I’m going to liven them up again with this trick!
Love the pocket. Another idea along the same line: add a couple inches of the added color to the end of the short sleeves to coordinate with the peplum.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
That is a great idea – and I hope this tutorial helps you fall back in love with your holiday shirts, I’d love to see them if you try!
Marly Tate says
A few newby questions. Can you sew t-shirt material without a serger? Can you sew non-stretching lace or binding to t- shirt stuff? Can you sew t-shirt or sweat shirt to regular material, like cotton nighty material, or maybe light-weight denim? Do you have to have a rotary cutter to cut stuff straight,especially t-shirt; can you just mark with a pen against a ruler and cut it by hand?IN other words, will I be asking for frustration and trouble if I try upcycling clothes without much more than a sewing machine and scissors? I know this is a very old post and chances are nobody else will read this, so would you please just use my email to answer?
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Hi Marly! I always read and answer comments, no matter how old the post is 🙂
-Yes you can sew t-shirt material without a serger; you need to use ballpoint needles and a “stretch” stitch – look at your machine manual but it is usually a zigzag or a triple stitch, three lines across.
-You can sew non-stretching lace or binding to stretchy things, but it will change how it hangs and obviously make it not stretch, for the bottom of a looser shirt, no big deal. Not going to work around a tight sleeve.
-You can mix lightweight denim and tshirt material, but again, depending where you are sewing it, it can really mess with how the shirt fits or hangs.
-I personally have to have a rotary cutter to cut stuff straight, it’s not a strength of mine, but lots of people use scissors!
One of the best things about upcycling is that it is cheap to experiment 🙂 Hope some of this helps!
Sharjah says
Thanks a lot for the post. It’s helped me get some nice ideas.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
you’re welcome!
Elaine says
It looks like you sewed the seam on the right side of the white t-shirt? With the right side of the orange hem pinned to the wrong side of the white shirt. Is that right? And then trim the excess seam?
thanks for the great ideas!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Hi Elaine! Which step are you looking at? I just want to make sure I’m following what you’re asking 🙂
Aleta Bowman says
I love this re-do. I think the only other thing I would have done is replaced the buttons with fabric covered buttons in the same brighter t-shirt material. Looks fabulous. Also wondering why you prefer the triple stitch over the lightening bolt? I’m new at this so I don’t have a preference, but you do, so I’m thinking there is a reason. This really is quite a wonderful idea. Thank you.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
That is a fun idea with the buttons! I prefer triple stitch over lightning bolt because in my experience it is more secure and is less likely to cause puckering. It also looks more professional in my opinion. But it is definitely a personal preference thing!! Happy sewing!