The sleeves of the t-shirt are folded forward and then cut at the hem to make the placket for the lace-up corset. The ribbon is continued up around the neck to make a halter strap.
Fold the shirt in half the long way with the design facing out. Then cut straight from below the neck hole to right above the shoulder seam through all four layers. Cut a small hole (approximately 1/2" large) near the top of the shoulder on each side. This is to ensure that the dress top fits just above the bust line like a tube top ..
Fold the shirt in half with the front facing in. Cut notches on the inside edge of each sleeve, making sure not to cut through the entire seam. Space the notches 1/2" apart to the inside edge of the sleeve hole. Repeat on the second sleeve. Make sure you have the same number of notches on each sleeve and that they line up evenly.
Lay the t-shirt flat, face up. Fold the sleeves so they are about an inch apart in the middle of the shirt. To make it easier to pass the tape, put a safety pin at each end.
Turn the shirt so the neckline is facing you. Fold the ribbon over and start threading it through the bottom notches of the sleeve hem. Thread the tape through all the other notches, not all of them, and alternate between the two ends of the tape as you go so that it stays centered.
When you get to the top of the sleeves, check that the remaining tape is on both sides. Take the ends of the ribbon and thread them through the sleeves and through the small hole you made near the shoulder, one on each side. This will create the halter strap.
Try it on to make sure you like how it fits, then adjust the strap around your neck. To see more of Ariel's projects, check out Custom Catastrophes.
