Broad Shoulder Hacks: Cutting T-Shirt Sleeves For A Sharp Look

If you want to cut the sleeves off a T-shirt, it's important to first decide how far up you want to cut. You can either cut the seam of the sleeves or leave it in, with the latter option keeping your finished T-shirt from unravelling or looking shabby. Mark your cut with chalk or an erasable pen, and then cut along the marks in an even line around the sleeve. You can also hem the edges if you want to.

Cutting the sleeves off a T-shirt

If you want to cut the sleeves off a T-shirt, the first thing you should do is roll the sleeves up or tuck them into the seam to see how the shirt will look without sleeves. If you like the look, decide how far up you want to cut the sleeves. You can either cut the seam out of the sleeves or leave it in. Leaving the seam intact will stop your T-shirt from unravelling and will make a smaller armhole. Cutting out the seam will give a more casual, looser look.

Next, lay the T-shirt out on a flat surface and mark your desired cut with chalk or an erasable pen. If you're cutting out the seam, mark a line 1 inch in from the seam, curving around so the line ends at a right angle about 1 inch under the sleeve. To keep the seam, make a line about 1/4 inch from the outside of the seam.

Now, cut along the mark you made. Pull the fabric tight and cut in an even line around the sleeve. Repeat on the other sleeve. If you want a neater finish, you can hem the edges by folding the edge of the fabric 1/4 inch inside the sleeve and stitching it in place.

Deciding how far to cut the sleeves

When deciding how far to cut the sleeves, it is important to consider the style and fit you want to achieve. Here are some options:

Cutting the Sleeves Off Completely

If you want to create a sleeveless T-shirt, the simplest approach is to cut the sleeves off completely. This will give your T-shirt a muscle-shirt or halter-top look, depending on the style of the shirt. This option provides a more casual and relaxed fit. To do this, simply cut along the seam between the sleeve and the rest of the shirt, removing the seam along with the sleeve.

Creating Cap Sleeves

If you prefer a more subtle change, you can create cap sleeves by marking a line from the bottom of the sleeve straight up, with the top of the line about 2 inches (5.1 cm) out from the seam. This will give your T-shirt a slightly more feminine look while still keeping your arms partially covered.

Shortening the Sleeves

For a quick and easy alteration, you can simply shorten the sleeves by cutting along the sleeve's hem and removing the extra length. This will give your T-shirt a more relaxed and softened look, especially if you have broader shoulders. It is a good idea to use fabric shears for a cleaner cut and to hide them from your family so they are only used for fabric to ensure precision.

Adjusting for Broad Shoulders

If you specifically want to address broad shoulders, you can make a broad shoulder adjustment. First, identify your natural shoulder by lifting your arm up and down to find the 'hinge' where your arm meets your shoulder socket. If your T-shirt has a seam that sits above this natural shoulder, you may want to adjust it. Mark the seam allowance on your front pattern piece and draw two lines: one from the center of the shoulder to about 1/3 of the way down the armscye, and the second line perpendicular to the first, going to the corner of the shoulder seam. Cut along these lines, leaving a small hinge of paper. Swing the triangles out to create more room, and measure the amount you need to adjust. Tape the triangles in place and draw a straight line to true up the shoulder, creating a new curve for the armscye. Don't forget to make the same adjustments to the back pattern piece!

Marking out the cut

Step 1: Identify the Adjustment Needed

First, determine whether you need a broad shoulder adjustment. Try on the t-shirt and check if the shoulder seam sits up from your natural shoulder. You can find your natural shoulder by lifting your arm and feeling for the 'hinge' where your arm meets your shoulder socket. If the seam is sitting above this point, you will need to make an adjustment.

Step 2: Determine the Adjustment Amount

With the t-shirt on, measure the distance from your natural shoulder seam to the seam of the t-shirt. This measurement will guide how much you need to adjust the pattern or cut the fabric.

Step 3: Mark the Cutting Line

Lay your t-shirt flat on a surface. Using tailor's chalk or an erasable pen, mark the cutting line for the sleeves. If you want to keep the seam, make a line about 1/4 inch from the outside of the seam. If you prefer a more casual, halter-top look, mark a line 1 inch in from the seam, curving around so that the line ends at a right angle about 1 inch under the sleeve.

Step 4: Fine-tune the Markings (Optional)

Before cutting, you can fine-tune the markings to ensure a precise cut. Place pins on both sides of the seam on each sleeve to keep them even during the cutting process. If you want to create cap sleeves, mark a line from the bottom of the sleeve straight up, with the top of the line about 2 inches out from the seam.

Step 5: Test the Markings (Optional)

Before cutting, you can test the markings by placing sewing pins in the sleeves and trying on the t-shirt. This will help ensure that the sleeves sit comfortably on your shoulders.

Step 6: Finalize the Cutting Line

Once you are satisfied with the markings and the fit, it is time to finalize the cutting line. If you want to crop the t-shirt, mark a straight line across the bottom of the shirt where you want the hem to lay. Avoid marking a straight diagonal line from the top of the shoulder to the side, as this can create a very large armhole that changes the shape of the shirt.

Now you are ready to cut along the markings and transform your t-shirt! Remember to cut carefully and smoothly for a clean finish.

Cutting along the mark

Before cutting the sleeves of your T-shirt, it is important to decide how far to cut the sleeves. Leaving the seam intact will keep your finished T-shirt from unraveling or looking shabby. It will also make a smaller armhole. Cutting out the seam with the sleeve gives a more casual, halter-top look, and because the hole is larger, it can make the shirt a little more comfortable, too. For a baggy T-shirt, keeping the seam on the shirt might be a good approach. If you want to turn your T-shirt into a muscle shirt, plan to cut the seams out.

To make cap sleeves, mark a line from the bottom of the sleeve straight up, with the top of the line about 2 inches out from the seam. Lay the T-shirt out on a flat surface and outline your desired cut. If you’re cutting out the seam, mark a line 1 inch in from the seam with chalk or an erasable pen. Curve around the seam so that the line ends at a right angle about 1 inch under the sleeve. To keep the seam, make a line about 1⁄4 inch from the outside of the seam.

If you want to keep the seam without hemming the edge, make the line 1⁄8 inch from the outside of the seam. Optionally, pin both sides of the seam on each sleeve together to make sure they stay even when you start cutting. If you want to crop the shirt, mark a line straight across the bottom where you’d like the hem to lay.

Try not to mark a straight diagonal line from the top of the shoulder down to the side of the shirt. This can create a very large armhole that changes the shape of the shirt. Hold the fabric taut and carefully cut the sleeve off. Pull the fabric tight around the marked area as you cut. Follow the marks you made in the previous step in an even line around the sleeve. Cut as smoothly as you can without stopping to make your cut clean. Repeat on the other sleeve. Alternatively, fold the T-shirt in half before you cut the sleeves off for a more even cut on both sides.

Hemming the edges

Preparation:

• Lay the T-shirt on a flat surface.
• Use fabric shears or a sharp pair of scissors to cut along the sleeve's hem, removing the stitching.
• Decide on the desired length of the sleeve and mark it with tailor's chalk or an erasable pen.

Fold and Pin:

• Fold the edge of the fabric about 1/4 inch (0.64 cm) inside the sleeve.
• Use sewing pins to secure the fold in place, ensuring an even hem all around the sleeve.

Stitching:

• Using a sewing machine or sewing by hand, stitch along the folded edge of the sleeve.
• Sew two straight lines close to each other around the ends of both sleeves to secure the hem.

Stretching:

Gently stretch out the sleeves to smooth the edges and prevent the threads from unravelling.

Tips:

• It is recommended to use fabric shears instead of regular scissors for a cleaner cut.
• Tug the fabric gently after cutting to create a rolled-up effect and hide any imperfections.
• The original hem that was removed can be reused as a headband.
• For a no-sew option, simply cut the sleeves and the fabric will not fray.

Frequently asked questions