Editor’s Note: For the first in our series on cheap fashion are tips on revitalizing old shirts. Look for next week’s instructions on how to turn an old pillowcase into a new dress.

If you’re like a lot of college students, you’re broke.

Budget shopping is more of necessity than hobby for those of us with little to no spending money, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun.

America’s Thrift Stores isn’t just a dingy used goods store, it’s a treasure trove – you just have to separate the treasure from the trash.

With just a few bucks, you can turn an old shirt into a stylish new burnout top.

What you’ll need:

• A shirt
• One bottle of blue gel washable glue
• Fabric dye

Instructions:

1. Begin with a clean shirt. It can be any style and color other than black, making this a perfect thrift store item. Dip it in cold water and wring out, ensuring it is thoroughly dampened.
2. Put a waterproof barrier in the shirt to separate the layers before drawing on it with the glue  – I used a large Rubbermaid lid.
3. You can trace your desired design with a washable marker, or just free-hand it. This will be the lighter part of the shirt, or the burnout. I used some lyrics from “Earth Song” on mine.
4. When the design is finished, the glue will need to fully dry before you dye it, which can take several hours to a day. Make sure the glue is completely dry, as wet glue won’t wash out.
5. Dye the dried shirt according to the fabric dye instructions. The dye color must be darker than the shirt color to ensure the design will be visible.
6. After dyeing, wash shirt by itself with cold water and soap to remove glue and excess dye. With only a used shirt and $2 bottle of glue, you now have a freshly-redesigned shirt. Remember, if you don’t love the design it can always be dyed to a darker solid color.

Last, dye your shirt and enjoy your thrifty, nfty new top.

Begin with a shirt in need of a face-lift.

Write your preferred design along it; let dry.