Use fabric from the neck to make accent strips.Photo by Sarah Boutwell

When it comes to arts and crafts, up-cycling, when you take old material and upgrade it, is one of the best ways for the poor artist to make something shiny and new. It’s also fun to try to reinvent “a classic.”

Like a T-shirt.

It’s beginning to become warmer outside. Now is the time to get those T-shirts your parents brought back for you when they went on vacation that were too ugly to wear in public, but have potential to be worn ironically.

The sweaters and T-shirts you bought long ago that are now too stretched out, the jeans that are getting frayed on the bottom, jackets that are 100 years old in fashion years. Don’t throw them away just yet.

Instead, grab a pair of scissors and release your inner fashion designer. And don’t worry what the Project Runway judges would say.

This is also a good excuse to spring clean your closet. See what treasures you unearth from the depths. You can make some new workout clothes, create a new party dress, or snappy top you can wear to the beach.

Cutting slits on the shoulder adds a creative flair to a tee.Photo by Sarah Boutwell

What you’re going to do:

1. You can grab those old T-shirts or hit up the Goodwill on Broughton St. to find some cheap ones. Bigger can be better, so if you mess up, you can just cut it off.

Pro-tip: Get funky. If you’re going to walk around wearing something you a had a hand in creating, Savannah is the place to wear it, so why not purple plaid?

2. Take your scissors and strategically cut up the T-shirt.

There are many different ways to do this. Here’s an option break down:

For guys:

Cut off the sleeves of the shirt, but to make a tank worthy of some beach volleyball, cut to almost to the waist, so the sides are exposed. It’ll help you stay cool.

If you want, try cutting slits, but only as long as a finger, into the shoulder of the shirt. Grow a mullet and look like you’re from the ’80s.

For girls:
To create an off-the-shoulder top, cut the neck out in an oval shape.

Cutting slits into the sleeve is also an option.

Or with the extra fabric you cut off from the neck, make some strips and use them to tie a sleeve or both sleeves together.

Use strips of fabric to tie sleeves together.Photo by Sarah Boutwell

Pro-tip: There are also plenty of YouTube tutorials to show you how if you’re more of a visual learner. And Adam Saaks is a genius with a pair of scissors.

If you’re savvy with a needle and thread, try folding the ends and sewing them down for a neater edge. Summer is coming. So feel free to cut off sleeves, collars, and make as many slits as you want, so long as you’re not wearing rags by the end. Modify in moderation.