Crafting Racerback Tank Tops: A Step-By-Step Guide

Racerback tank tops are a popular garment to work out in. The armholes are cut wider in the back than in the front, which means that sweat won't accumulate on your shoulders as much. While you can always buy one from the store, making one is much cheaper. Not only will it give an old T-shirt a new lease of life, but you can also create a design that you like!

To make a racerback tank top, you will need a T-shirt that is 1 to 2 sizes larger than what you normally wear. The T-shirt can be blank or have a design on the front. It is important to note that you should not use a fitted shirt, as the racerback will turn out too small. The T-shirt should also be at least the length you want the racerback to be, as you can always cut it shorter but cannot make it longer.

The first step is to cut the sleeves off the T-shirt to make it into a tank top. Begin cutting 1 to 2 inches below the armpit and finish cutting just inside the top shoulder seam. Do the same for the other sleeve. You can cut the sleeves even lower if you want, but keep in mind that you'll want to wear a tank top or bandeau underneath your new racerback.

The next step is to cut the back armholes wider. Begin cutting at the armpit of one sleeve, scooping down 1/2 to 1 inch, then cut in towards the centre by about 2 inches. Finish cutting at the top of the original cut edge. Make sure you are only cutting through the back of the shirt, not the front. Repeat this process on the other side, tracing the piece that you cut out onto the other armhole and then cutting along the line.

After that, cut the collar off at the stitching, starting at the left shoulder and working your way around the front and back of the shirt. For a more feminine touch, you can cut the front of the collar about 1 to 2 inches below the stitching to make it larger.

Then, cut across the back of the shirt, just below the collar, about 1 to 2 inches below the collar, starting at the left armhole and finishing at the right. This will separate the top of the shirt from the bottom. Again, make sure you are only cutting through the back of the shirt, not the front.

At this point, you should have a rectangular strip of fabric in the back of your shirt. To make the braid, cut two vertical slits down the back of the shirt, starting at the top and finishing at about armpit level. Make sure the slits are an equal distance from each other and the side edges of the rectangular strip so that all three strands will be the same thickness.

Now, gently pull on each of the three strands to make them longer and skinnier. This will cause the cut edges of the fabric to curl inward and make them easier to braid. Cross the left strand over the middle strand, then cross the right strand over the new middle strand. Repeat these steps until you have about 1/2 inch of fabric left.

Finally, sew or glue the end of your braid to keep it together. You can also wrap a strip of fabric from the sleeves around the top of the braid to conceal the stitching. Fold the hem over 1 inch on the inside, pin, and stitch. Do this on both sides and iron the hem for a polished finish. And there you have it—your very own racerback tank top!

Cut the sleeves off a T-shirt to make a tank top

To make a racerback tank top, you will need to start with a T-shirt that is 1 to 2 sizes larger than what you normally wear. It is important to note that the T-shirt should not be fitted, as this will result in a racerback that is too small. The length of the T-shirt should be at least as long as you want the racerback to be, as you can always cut it shorter but cannot make it longer.

The first step is to cut the sleeves off the T-shirt to make it into a tank top. Begin cutting 1 to 2 inches below the armpit and finish cutting just inside the top shoulder seam. Do this for the left sleeve first, then fold the shirt in half lengthwise and use the cut edge as a guide for the right sleeve.

You can cut the sleeves even lower if you want, but keep in mind that you will need to wear a tank top or bandeau underneath your new racerback to avoid any peek-a-boos!

Once you have cut off the sleeves, you will need to cut the back of the armholes wider. Turn the shirt over so that the back is facing you and begin cutting at the armpit of one of the sleeves. Scoop down 1/2 to 1 inch, then cut in towards the center by about 2 inches. Finish cutting at the top of the original cut edge. Make sure that you are only cutting through the back of the shirt and not the front.

Repeat this process for the other armhole, tracing the piece that you cut out onto the fabric and then cutting along the line. Be careful not to cut the armholes too close together, as you will need enough fabric to create the racerback effect.

After you have cut out the armholes, you will need to create the racerback straps. To do this, cut a rectangle from the leftover fabric of the sleeves, approximately 4 inches by 5 inches. Fold the rectangle in half with the right sides together, so that the two shorter sides are lined up, and pin the ends together. Sew along the pinned edge, then trim the excess fabric. Turn the tube right side out and iron it with the seam in the center.

Now, wrap this loop around the fabric at the back of the shirt, with the seam facing out, and pin the ends together. Sew the ends together and trim the excess fabric close to the stitching. Turn the loop right side out again so that the raw edges and center seam are hidden inside.

Finally, twist the loop so that the seam is towards the inside of the shirt. And there you have it! You have successfully cut the sleeves off a T-shirt to make a racerback tank top.

Cut the back armholes wider

Flip the shirt over so that the back is facing you. Begin cutting at the back of the shirt at the armpit of your first sleeve. Scoop down 1/2 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm), then cut in towards the centre by about 2 inches (5.1 cm). Finish cutting at the top of the original cut edge.

Make sure that you are only cutting through the back of the shirt, not the front. Trace the piece that you cut out onto the other armhole, then cut along the line that you traced.

Don't cut the armholes too close together in the back, or you won't have enough fabric to braid with.

Cut off the collar

To cut off the collar of a shirt, you will need a pair of scissors. It is recommended to use sewing scissors, but any will work.

Firstly, lay the shirt flat on a table and smooth out any creases or wrinkles. Then, fold the shirt so that the shoulder seams are aligned at the neckline. This will create a fold down the centre of the front and back of the shirt.

Next, you will need to measure how much of the collar you want to cut off. Using a ruler, measure 1 inch (or more, depending on your preference) below the bottom of the collar. This will be your cutting point.

Now, you are ready to start cutting. Make sure you are cutting through both layers of the shirt at the same time to ensure the neckline is even. Cut in a straight line across the front of the shirt, following the crease, until you reach the back.

If you want to create a scoop neck, trim the fabric in a curve following the shape of the collar. For a V-neck, cut in a straight line up to the shoulder seams.

Finally, gently stretch the fabric around the new neckline. This will roll the edges inwards, creating a soft hem and hiding any jagged edges.

Cut a strip of fabric from the sleeves

To make a racerback tank top, you will need to cut a strip of fabric from one of the sleeves. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do this:

Start by cutting along the seam of one of the sleeves to create a long rectangle. Try to make the rectangle as straight and even as possible. If you are unsure, you can use a ruler or a fabric marker to draw a line before cutting.

Once you have your long rectangle, you will need to cut it to size. For this project, you should cut a rectangle that measures approximately 1 1⁄2 by 4 inches (3.8 by 10.2 cm). This size will allow you to create a band that is the perfect size for your racerback tank top.

If the sleeve is not big enough to cut a rectangle of this size, you can use one of the other scraps of fabric that you cut from your T-shirt. Simply trim the scrap to size and use it instead.

Now that you have your rectangle, you can gently tug on it to make it longer and help the edges curl in. This step is optional, but it can give your racerback tank top a more finished look.

With your rectangle cut and prepared, you are now ready to move on to the next step of creating your racerback tank top!

Sew the strip of fabric to the back to make a racerback

To sew the strip of fabric to the back of your racerback tank top, you will need the following tools and materials:

• Fabric marker or chalk
• Jersey knit/ballpoint pins
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Leftover fabric from the sleeves

• First, draw a racerback shape on your T-shirt with a fabric marker or chalk. You can estimate the shape or try on the shirt and have someone help you draw the lines.
• Cut about 1/2 inch beyond the lines you drew. This extra 1/2 inch is your seam allowance.
• On one of the armholes, fold the fabric along the chalk line and pin it in place, making sure the raw edges are hidden inside the shirt.
• Sew along the pinned edge with a zigzag stitch or a double needle. Repeat this process with the other armhole.
• Now, we will make the band to pull the back of the shirt into a racerback shape. Cut a rectangle from the leftover fabric from the sleeves. For example, cut a 4-inch by 5-inch rectangle.
• Fold the rectangle in half with the right sides together, so the two shorter sides are lined up at the top. Pin the 4-inch ends together.
• Sew the pinned end to form a tube, and then trim the raw edges near the stitching.
• Turn the tube right side out so that the raw edges are hidden inside, and iron it with the seam in the center.
• Wrap this loop around the fabric at the back of the shirt with the seam facing outward, and pin the ends together.
• Sew the ends together and trim the raw edges close to the stitching.
• Turn the loop right side out again so that the raw edges and center seam are hidden inside.
• Finally, twist the loop so that the seam is towards the inside of the shirt.

Frequently asked questions