Creative Cut-Out T-Shirt Designs You Can Make Yourself

There are endless ways to transform an old T-shirt into something trendy and unique. With just a pair of scissors, you can create a variety of looks, from a simple V-neck cut to more complex designs such as a one-shoulder cut, a cropped cut, or even an overall distressed look. For those who want to get more creative, there are options like cutting out shapes (butterflies, skulls, trees), adding ribbons or bows, converting a T-shirt into a halter top or dress, or playing with different sleeve styles. The possibilities are endless, and it's a fun, inexpensive way to refresh your wardrobe.

Cut-out shapes

Hearts

Create a heart-shaped cut-out on the back of your t-shirt. Draw a large heart on the back of your t-shirt, then draw a smaller heart inside the first one. Make sure the width of the heart is not too thin, or it might rip. Connect the two hearts with lines—you can make these straight or curved. Cut along the lines, then gently pull on the fabric to stretch out the cut-out and create a more polished look.

Trees

A tree of life cut-out is a unique fashion trend, usually seen in wire wrap jewellery, but it looks awesome as a cut-out on the back of a t-shirt. You can find a tree of life stencil online, print it out, and use it to cut a tree shape from the back of your t-shirt.

Butterflies

Butterflies are a fun, flirty, and elegant cut-out shape. You can find a butterfly stencil online, or freehand a butterfly shape on the back of your t-shirt with chalk or a washable marker. Cut along the lines of your stencil or drawing, then gently pull on the fabric to stretch out the cut-out.

Crosses

Add a cross decoration to the back of your shirt by cutting out small rectangles to form a large cross shape. Start below the neck and end near the bottom hem. You can also cut out different shapes to create a heart or wing design instead of a cross.

Geometric shapes

Give your shirt a subtle new decoration by cutting out a miniature diamond shape below the neckline. On the back of the shirt, cut out a larger diamond shape made from a small diamond at the top and thin strips protruding below, creating a ray of light effect.

V-necks

There are several ways to cut a V-neck into a T-shirt, some of which involve sewing, and some of which don't. Here are a few methods:

No-Sew Method:

• Cut off the collar directly underneath the seam.
• Determine how deep you want the V-neck to be. You can try on the T-shirt and mark the desired depth with a pin, or use a V-neck T-shirt you already own as a guide.
• Fold the T-shirt in half vertically, making sure the back neck seam, side seams, and shoulders line up. If using a V-neck T-shirt as a guide, fold it in the same way and place it over the T-shirt you want to cut, lining them up as much as possible.
• Make a mark on the T-shirt that corresponds to the point of the V.
• Fold your T-shirt in half vertically again, ensuring the side seams match up, and cut the neck opening in a straight line from the marked V point to the high shoulder points. Be careful to only cut through the back side of the T-shirt.
• Try on your new V-neck T-shirt and determine if you need to shape the neckline any further.

Sewing Method:

• Gather your materials: a crew neck shirt, a ruler or measuring tape, stick pins, a fabric marker, fabric scissors, a seam ripper, and thread that matches the colour of your shirt.
• Measure how deep you want the V-neck to be. You can use a V-neck shirt you already own as a guide, or eyeball it. Mark the spot where you want the point of the V to be with a pin.
• Fold your T-shirt in half vertically, ensuring the neckline, shoulders, and arms match up exactly. Smooth down all the edges until the shirt is free of wrinkles.
• Trace the outline of the V-neck with a fabric marker. Make a diagonal line with your ruler, placing it where the shoulder seam meets the collar down to the middle of the chest.
• Turn the shirt inside out and remove the stitches around the front collar using a seam ripper.
• Turn your shirt back to the correct side, unfold it, and lay it on your table. Fold the front of the collar backwards so it is away from the front of the shirt.
• Cut along the V-neck outline, being careful to only cut through the front side of the shirt.
• Cut the front of the detached collar in the centre.
• Stretch each side of the cut collar along the length of the V-neck.
• Pin the rough edges of the collar to the rough edges of the V-neck, stretching the collar along the edge of the V and inserting a pin about every 1 inch (2.5 cm) to hold them together.
• Sew from the top of the collar to about 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the V point, using a sewing machine or a needle and thread. Use a simple running or back stitch, and stop sewing about 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the point of the V.
• Pull the collar end to the other side of the V and pin it in place. Sew the rest of the collar to the shirt, then sew down the other side of the collar to 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the V point.
• Sew the ends of the collar together to finish off your shirt. If there is any puckering at the point of the V, use an iron to press the hem down.

One-shoulder designs

Choosing the Right T-Shirt

The first step is to select a suitable T-shirt for your one-shoulder design. It is recommended to choose a T-shirt that is a bit loose, ensuring a comfortable and drapey fit once modified. Look for T-shirts made with heavy cotton fabric or a blend of cotton and polyester, as these materials will hang nicely off the shoulder. Additionally, consider the colour and print of the T-shirt to complement your style.

Gathering Your Tools

Before you begin cutting, ensure you have the necessary tools for a precise and clean cut. You will need fabric scissors, chalk or a fabric marker, a measuring tape or ruler, pins, and an iron. Fabric scissors will ensure a sharp and smooth cut, while chalk or a fabric marker will help you mark the cutting line without leaving stains. The measuring tape or ruler will help you achieve an even cut, and pins can be used to secure the fabric if needed. Finally, an iron will help you press the fabric to keep it neat and wrinkle-free.

Preparing the T-Shirt

Lay your T-shirt flat on a clean surface and smooth out any wrinkles or folds. If the T-shirt is not freshly laundered, consider ironing it to remove creases. This step is important to ensure an even cut and to avoid mistakes.

Marking the Cut

Put on the T-shirt and determine how wide you want the neckline to be. Use chalk or a fabric marker to lightly mark the desired off-the-shoulder point, starting from one shoulder and swooping across to the other. You can make a small notch at the top of each shoulder where the seams meet as a guide for your cutting line. Take your time with this step to ensure an even and symmetrical cut.

Cutting the T-Shirt

Once you have marked the cutting line, remove the T-shirt and place it back on your flat surface. Ensure the fabric is smooth and the front and back layers are aligned to avoid uneven cuts. Carefully cut along the marked line, being cautious not to cut too much fabric. You can choose to cut just the front layer for a subtle one-shoulder effect or cut all the way across for a more dramatic look.

Finishing Touches

After cutting, you may notice some rough edges. You can leave them as they are for a raw, relaxed look, or you can fold them over and pin them down before ironing for a neater finish. Hand washing your newly cut T-shirt will help prevent fraying or further rolling at the edges.

Styling Your New Top

Now it's time to show off your creation! One-shoulder designs pair well with high-waisted jeans or skirts. Add some layered necklaces or bold earrings to draw attention to the unique neckline. Your one-shoulder T-shirt can be styled for both daytime casual and evening looks.

Crop tops

DIY crop tops are a fun way to upcycle old t-shirts and give them a new lease of life. The beauty of making your own is that you can make the crop top any length you desire. If you choose an oversized, boxy tee to crop, you will have a roomier and more loose fit. Select a fitted tee for a “baby tee” style crop top.

Choose the Right Shirt

Cotton tees and cotton/poly blends tend to work best as stretchy, synthetic materials like polyester and spandex can be hard to cut and tend to fray. You will need a sharp pair of fabric scissors to cut through the fabric.

Measure & Mark Your Lines

Use a ruler or measuring tape to ensure that you are cutting a straight bottom hem. Chalk or a washable fabric marker is best so that there are no permanent marks left on the fabric.

Pin Shirt in Place

You can pin the shirt in place, place something heavy on one end, or clip it in place. You can also use strong tape (such as duct tape) to keep the garment in place.

Cut Along the Markings

Using sharp fabric scissors is the best way to get a crisp, clean and even cut. Work slowly so that you can be extra mindful of your cutting.

Iron

Lay your shirt out on a flat surface, such as an ironing board or a tabletop. You can usually achieve similar results by throwing your design into the machine dryer for a few minutes on a warm heat setting. If you are dealing with rolling, try ironing your shirt.

Use Scissors Strategically

If you're cutting your own crop top, put the shirt on, look into a mirror, and fold it where you want the crop to start. Then, take the shirt off, lay it on a flat surface, and use a measuring tape and chalk or pins to mark the line for cutting. Make sure your shirt is super flat and the shoulders and seams are even.

Sewing a Crop Top

If you want to sew your own crop top from scratch, choose a fabric with some stretch to it, like cotton jersey. Measure the circumference of your bust, waist, and upper arms, and cut out two pieces using these dimensions. Cut out two more pieces for the sleeves. Sew a zigzag stitch to secure the sides of the body pieces, then fold each of the sleeves in half and secure them with a zigzag stitch. Hem the edges of the sleeves and body if desired, then attach the sleeves to the sides of the crop top.

Off-the-shoulder tops

Choosing Your T-Shirt

First, select a t-shirt. For a no-sew option, choose a skin-tight, ribbed cotton t-shirt. If you plan to sew a hem, you can opt for a fitted or loose t-shirt, depending on the desired style. Consider the colour and fabric of your t-shirt, and whether you want long or short sleeves. Remember that you can always cut the sleeves shorter.

Preparing Your T-Shirt

Lay your t-shirt flat on a table and smooth out any creases. If needed, iron your t-shirt to remove wrinkles. You may want to put the t-shirt on and, with chalk or a fabric marker, mark how wide you want the neckline to be. Remove the t-shirt and lay it flat again, ensuring the front and back are aligned to avoid uneven cuts.

Cutting Your T-Shirt

Using fabric scissors, cut along your marked line. You can cut just the front for a subtle look, or cut all the way across for a full off-the-shoulder effect. If you are cutting a fitted t-shirt, cut straight across the shirt, about an inch above where you want the shoulder hem to be, ensuring you cut through both layers of fabric.

Finishing Touches

The edges of your new off-the-shoulder top may be a little rough, so you can choose to fold them over and iron for a neater finish. If you are sewing a hem, fold the top cut edge down by about half an inch and press with an iron. Repeat this step, ensuring you fold the hem inside the shirt. Then, sew the hem using a matching thread colour.

Styling Your Top

Customisation Ideas

Now you know the basics, you can experiment with customising your off-the-shoulder tops. Try cutting the shirt shorter, creating stylistic rips in the sides, or distressing and bleaching the final design. You can also add elastic to the sleeves to ensure the top stays in place.

Frequently asked questions