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Cost
$ $ $ $ $
Difficulty
• • • • •
Time
30h00

What you do with too much time and a lot of soda tabs.
This is going to be a belly dancing top for myself. When I have the belt done and the ribbon to lace the back I will post a picture of myself wearing it.
Not exactly sure how long it took me. When I sat down and actually worked on it, a lot got done.
Hopefully my how-to is clear. And don't be afraid of the number of steps! When cinching this be sure to use something strong.

7/21/2011 Update: I do have the other part of this finished, but have yet to get pictures. Will post when I get them :)

11/26/2012 UPDATE: Almost forgot to post a pic!! Also, wore this ALL day for a festival. Crazy comfy for me.

Posted by kw from Plano, Texas, United States • Published See kw's 16 projects »
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  • How to make a recycled top. Soda Tab Top - Step 1
    Step 1

    First, gather your materials together. Two pairs of pliers, lots of pop tabs, metal rings.

  • How to make a recycled top. Soda Tab Top - Step 2
    Step 2

    Grab 4 pop tops and one ring.

  • How to make a recycled top. Soda Tab Top - Step 3
    Step 3

    Take two of the pop tops and place the ring through them.
    <~should look something like that.
    Just make sure you keep them all going the same way.

  • How to make a recycled top. Soda Tab Top - Step 4
    Step 4

    Take the other two tabs you had out, and place them on the ring as well.

  • How to make a recycled top. Soda Tab Top - Step 5
    Step 5

    Pick up one side of the ring, taking care to not let the tabs come off, put the ring into one pair of the pliers.

  • How to make a recycled top. Soda Tab Top - Step 6
    Step 6

    Then, with the second pair, grab the other side of the ring and using a twisting motion close the ring.

  • How to make a recycled top. Soda Tab Top - Step 7
    Step 7

    Got something that resembles this? Good. Grab two more tabs and another ring.

  • How to make a recycled top. Soda Tab Top - Step 8
    Step 8

    Attach them using steps 5 and 6. If you want, you can just keep attaching them in this way until you get it to the length that is required. *random info* for measurement, I just held it where I wanted the main part of the garment to start. The front where the bottom of the "V" is, the underarm and the back are all the same height. I guess you could just measure that, but where's the fun in that?

  • How to make a recycled top. Soda Tab Top - Step 9
    Step 9

    Now we'll show how to width. Grab some more tabs and rings.

  • How to make a recycled top. Soda Tab Top - Step 10
    Step 10

    And attach! (aaand attach, and attach...)

    The top I made is 11 tabs down the back and at least 50 across (I think!) for the rectangle alone. I'm 5' with 36D chest.

  • How to make a recycled top. Soda Tab Top - Step 11
    Step 11

    Now you might have something that looks like this:) YaY!!

  • How to make a recycled top. Soda Tab Top - Step 12
    Step 12

    And this! w00t! (not hard is it?)

  • How to make a recycled top. Soda Tab Top - Step 13
    Step 13

    Continue until you have your big ol' rectangle and rejoice when that part is done and over with. That part takes the longest. Make sure it goes all the way around you and you have about an inch to inch and a half to cinch up. Attach rings (no extra tabs) to the end of the rows so that you have something to put your ribbon/shoelace/leather through to cinch it.

  • How to make a recycled top. Soda Tab Top - Step 14
    Step 14

    Find the middle of the rectangle. Mark it with a bread tie or something on the top side. This next part you may need help with. I used some strings to where One breast began and ended. Put soda tabs on according to those marks.

  • How to make a recycled top. Soda Tab Top - Step 15
    Step 15

    You'll to want to have a pyramid effect so each row should have a difference of two.
    The topmost part this will be the beginning of your straps. Two or three across depending on if they were odd or even going across on your pyramid.

  • How to make a recycled top. Soda Tab Top - Step 16
    Step 16

    Make the strap from the the front stop just before the top of your shoulder

  • How to make a recycled top. Soda Tab Top - Step 17
    Step 17

    Do this with the other side as well.

  • How to make a recycled top. Soda Tab Top - Step 18
    Step 18

    Figure out where you want your straps to start and then build them. Make sure you put rings all along the outside of the straps or they will do wonky things.

  • How to make a recycled top. Soda Tab Top - Step 19
    Step 19

    This is how I attached the front and back parts of the straps. The tabs are placed so they are just connected on the bottom side. I hope that makes sense. Do the same with the other side.

  • How to make a recycled top. Soda Tab Top - Step 20
    Step 20

    Now for the girls that need more shaping in the bust area. This part was tricky for me. Alot of trial and error. I apologize if it isn't clear.
    What you'll need to do is try it on and figure the spot(s) that need more room. Take apart along columns.

  • How to make a recycled top. Soda Tab Top - Step 21
    Step 21

    I put a colored tab in so you would know kind of what you would be doing. You may have to try different places and amounts of tabs to figure out where the additions would look best on your own bust.

  • How to make a recycled top. Soda Tab Top - Step 22
    Step 22

    It's not terribly noticeable unless someone is staring at your chest.
    This tutorial will just make a basic short tank top.

  • How to make a recycled top. Soda Tab Top - Step 23
    Step 23

    Decorate any way you like. Colored tabs would be cool. Let me see what you make!

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Comments

mr.nawaabfuzzumspompom
mr.nawaabfuzzumspompom · Rawalpindi, Punjab, PK
NOW I CAN MAKE ARMOUR!
Reply
Question_Savvy
Question_Savvy · 13 projects
very cool!
Reply
azreal.kazmierczak
azreal.kazmierczak
Where did you gett all the rings?
kw
kw · Plano, Texas, US · 17 projects
The rings are actually made from 14 gauge wire that I had on hand. Your hands will Hurt if you choose to cut your own rings.
Reply
Rebecca B.
Rebecca B.
This is so awesome!! I am a belly dancer and I have been saving soda tabs for quite some time knowing that I would eventually make something out of them. Now, thanks to you, I have something to try. Thanks!
Reply
Corvii
Corvii · 1 project
Ha! That looks pretty cool! Nice job!
Reply
kw
kw · Plano, Texas, US · 17 projects
It's not quite as scratchy as you might think. Yes I do plan on wearing somethin underneath.
Thank you all for the positive comments!
Reply
kw
kw · Plano, Texas, US · 17 projects
Linda,
Pretty much! And thanks!
Reply
Linda S.
Linda S. · Austin, Texas, US
If I am reading your post correctly, this looks like a fairly traditional English 4 in 1 chainmaille weaving technique used in conjunction with soda tabs. A beautiful adaptation on a centuries old art form!
Reply
Penny F.
Penny F. · North Bay, Ontario, CA · 19 projects
Just a question? Wouldn't that be scratchy on your skin? Or are you putting something underneath it so that it doesn't scratch your skin? If I did this I would have to figure a way that it wouldn't do that..?
Reply
Lorrie Endemoniada DiGiulio
Lorrie Endemoniada DiGiulio · Kennebec, South Dakota, US · 9 projects
This is so AWESOME I can't believe it's made out of pop tops!! Truly one of a kind! I want to try and make one.
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