Cutting A Choker T-Shirt: A Step-By-Step Guide

Choker T-shirts are a fashion trend that can be expensive to buy, but are easy to make yourself. You can use an old T-shirt and a pair of scissors to create your own choker tee, which can be worn under a leather jacket or cardigan for a rocker chic look. The process is simple: cut a small hole in the shirt by the collar, then make a second cut towards the collar in a slant. You can also cut a triangle out from under the collar for a keyhole choker look.

Measuring the 'V'

Measuring the V is a crucial step in achieving the desired look and feel of your choker T-shirt. Here is a detailed guide to help you through this process:

First, put on the T-shirt and, using a piece of chalk or an iron-erasable pen, mark the depth of the V-neck you want. Consider how low you want the V-neck to sit and whether you want to cut the neckline all the way to the top of the shoulder, or leave a portion of the neckband attached. Trying the shirt on during this step will help you visualise the final result and ensure you are happy with the placement of the V.

Next, use a piece of craft paper and place it over the opening and chest of your T-shirt. Feel the neckline under the paper and make a crease along the bottom of the neckband. Cut along this crease so that the paper sits neatly under the neckband. Now, on this paper, mark the depth of your desired V-neck opening, using the measurements you took earlier as a guide. Cut along the top of the paper pattern where the neckband will reconnect to the shirt.

At this point, you can choose the style of your V-neck. Use a curve ruler for a perfect curved line, a straight ruler for a straight line, or simply freehand the shape you desire. If you want a symmetrical V-neck, only draw the shape on one side of the paper, as you will be folding the template in half before cutting, creating a mirrored image on the other side.

Once you are happy with the template, pin it in place and carefully cut out the opening with fabric scissors. Cut along the neckline, being careful not to cut the collar, as you want to leave a "window" or cutout.

Now you have successfully measured and cut the V-neck for your choker T-shirt! This method ensures a precise and customised V-neck shape that complements the overall style of your DIY choker T-shirt.

Making the first cut

To make a choker T-shirt, you'll need a T-shirt, scissors, a measuring tape, and a marker (optional).

Start by deciding how far down you want the "V" of your choker to be. Use the measuring tape to determine the desired depth of the "V" and mark this spot with a tiny dot using your marker. If you don't have a marker, you can also use a pen or a pencil. Make sure the dot is small and faint so that it won't be noticeable if it doesn't get completely cut off later.

Now, it's time to make the first cut. Using your scissors, carefully cut a small hole in the shirt by the collar, right next to the dot you made. This hole will serve as the starting point for your "V" cut. Make sure you're cutting through both layers of fabric, the front and the back, to create a clean slit. Take your time with this initial cut, as it will set the foundation for the rest of your design.

Once you've made the initial slit, you can start cutting towards the collar in a slanted direction. This will create the "V" shape that characterizes the choker style. Cut as close as possible to the seam of the collar, ensuring that you're only cutting through the top layer of fabric. It's okay if your cuts aren't perfectly straight or if you end up with some rigid edges—a bit of imperfection adds character to your DIY creation!

At this point, you should have your first cut complete, and you'll be able to see the distinctive choker shape taking form. If you want a more pronounced "V," you can carefully cut a little bit more, deepening the slit and widening the "V." Just remember to cut slowly and cautiously to avoid making the "V" too deep or wide, as you can always cut more but can't add fabric back once it's cut away.

Cutting towards the collar

To cut a choker T-shirt, you will need a T-shirt, scissors, a measuring tape, and a marker (optional).

The first step is to measure how far down you want the "V" of your choker to be. Use the marker to make a small dot to indicate where you will cut. Make a hole in the shirt by the collar and start cutting. For your second cut, you will cut towards the collar in a slant.

You will be left with some extra fabric that you can cut off. Cut as close as possible to the seam of the collar. Don't worry if the edges are a little rigid.

You can also cut a triangle out of the front of a T-shirt to create a choker effect. Cut off the collar of the T-shirt and make the sleeves shorter. This method is quick and easy and will give your T-shirt a cool new look.

Cutting off excess fabric

To create a choker T-shirt, you will need a T-shirt, scissors, a marker (optional), and a measuring tape.

Start by deciding how far down you want the "V" of the choker cut-out to be. Use the measuring tape to determine the desired depth of the "V", and mark this spot with a small dot using the marker. This will be your guide for cutting.

Now, make a small hole in the shirt by the collar, and start to cut. Cut towards the collar in a slant, creating the "V" shape. You can cut as close as possible to the seam of the collar for a more polished look.

At this point, you will be left with excess fabric below the "V" cut-out. Here's how to cut off the excess fabric:

• Try on the shirt and assess how much fabric you want to remove: Do you prefer a more modest cut that reveals just a hint of skin, or do you want to go bolder and create a deeper "V"? Mark the desired length with your hands or pins.
• Remove the shirt and lay it flat on a work surface. Use a ruler or straight edge to draw a straight line across the front of the shirt, connecting the bottom of the "V" cut-out to the desired length marked in the previous step. This line will guide your cutting and ensure a straight edge.
• Using scissors, carefully cut along the line you just drew. Cut slowly and deliberately to avoid any mishaps.
• Try on the shirt again to check the fit and length. If you're happy with the result, you're done! If you feel it needs further adjustment, mark the desired length and repeat the cutting process.
• As a final touch, you can choose to hem the raw edge of the fabric to create a neater finish. Simply fold over a small portion of the fabric and secure it with a few hand stitches or a quick machine stitch.

Remember, it's always better to cut less fabric first and then adjust as needed. You can always cut more, but you can't add fabric back once it's been cut!

Trimming the collar seam

Firstly, decide how far down you want your "V" cut to be. Use the measuring tape to determine the depth of the cut and, if you wish, use the marker to make a small dot to indicate where you will cut. This first cut will create a hole in the shirt by the collar, so ensure you are happy with the placement before proceeding.

Now, make your second cut. Cut towards the collar in a slant, moving from the hole you just created. You want to cut as close as possible to the seam of the collar for a neat finish. Don't worry if the edges are a little uneven or rigid; this is completely normal and won't detract from the overall look.

The beauty of this DIY project is that it is so simple yet effective. In just a few minutes, you can transform a plain t-shirt into a stylish choker tee. This look is perfect for layering under leather jackets or cardigans, adding an edge to any outfit. So, grab an old tee and get creative!

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