The Perfect Curved Hem: A Guide To Cutting Your Own T-Shirt

how to cut a curved hem t shirt

If you want to cut a curved hem into a t-shirt, there are a few steps you should follow. First, press your t-shirt so it is as smooth as possible, and use straight pins to keep the front and back together. Next, use a ruler to mark the desired length of the hem with a tailor's pencil, chalk, or soap. Then, use the ruler to connect the dots and cut along the line with fabric shears. Finally, tug on the fabric to create a roll at the edge of the hem to hide any imperfections.

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Cutting the sleeves

Before you start cutting, decide on the style of the t-shirt you want to create. Do you want a muscle tee, a tank top, or a t-shirt with cute capped sleeves?

If you're happy to go ahead and cut the sleeves, it's a good idea to test the look first. Roll the sleeves up as high as you can, or tuck them into the shirt around the seam to see if you like the sleeveless look. If you're planning on cropping the shirt, roll the bottom of the hem up inside to see where you'd like it to lay.

Now, decide how far to cut the sleeves. If you cut the seam out of the sleeves, you'll create a bigger, looser armhole, which can be more comfortable and give a more casual, halter-top look. Leaving the seam intact will keep your finished t-shirt from unravelling or looking shabby, and it will also make a smaller armhole.

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

Now you're ready to start cutting. Pull the fabric tight and cut along the marks in an even line around the sleeve. Try to cut as smoothly as you can without stopping to make your cut clean. Repeat on the other sleeve, or fold the t-shirt in half before you cut the sleeves for a more even cut on both sides.

If you want to, you can hem the edges of your new sleeveless t-shirt. To do this, fold the edge of the sleeve inside the shirt and stitch it in place. You can also gently stretch out the sleeves to smooth the edges and help prevent the threads from unravelling.

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Modifying the neckline

Preparing the T-shirt

First, decide how much you want to lower the neckline. Try on the T-shirt and mark with a pin where you want the bottom of the new neckline to sit. If you want to turn a crew neck into a V-neck, mark the level of the V-neck with a pin.

Unpicking the Neckline Seam

This step will take the longest. Be patient and careful not to stretch out the original neckline. Use a seam ripper or embroidery scissors to carefully remove the stitches holding the neckband in place. Remove the neckband entirely, then gently press the new neckline to help the seam allowance lay flat.

Drawing the New Neckline

Fold the T-shirt so that the side seams are on top of each other and pin the seams. Do the same for the shoulder seams. You should now have a fold right on the centre front line. Smooth out the fabric so that the neckline edges meet perfectly. Using a washable marker or fabric marker, draw a new curve that meets the pin. With a French curve ruler, draw a gentle curve from the neckline down to the new pin.

Cutting the New Neckline

Cut along the line you have just drawn through both layers of fabric. Unfortunately, you won't be able to reuse the old neckband, as this type of alteration will make it too short. However, you can use the hem of the T-shirt to create a new neckband.

Creating the New Neckband

Cut off the hem right above the stitching line. Measure the new neckline, then cut down the new neckband piece to the required length. To do this, measure 1/4" away from the raw edge of the neckline all around, then subtract 10% from this measurement to get the length of the neckband.

Sewing the New Neckband

Overlap the ends of the new neckband to form a V. With a long straight stitch, stitch through the layers of the neckline close to the raw edges. Quarter the T-shirt neckline and the neckband, then match your pins together, starting at the centre back, and pin the neckband and T-shirt together at the quarter marks. Sew the neckband to the T-shirt with a 1/4" seam, curving the fabric towards the machine. Do not stretch the T-shirt neckline! When you get to the centre front, pivot at the tip of the V.

Finishing Touches

Cut a 1" strip of knit fabric slightly longer than the inside length of the neckline from shoulder seam to shoulder seam. Fold both raw edges towards the centre and press. Tuck one of the short edges under, then match the right side of the long edge to the top side of the neckline seam and stitch in place. Flip the strip to cover the back neck seam and stitch all around the fabric strip. Finish by stitching down the seam allowance of the rest of the shirt neckline.

Tips and Tricks

If you don't want to sew, you can simply cut the neckband off, creating a slash or choker neckline. You can also cut radiating slits around the neckline for a distressed look, or cut a lower neckline using a plate as a guide. Remember to always work in a well-lit room and to try on the T-shirt in a mirror to check your progress.

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Shortening a long t-shirt

To shorten a long T-shirt, you will need a decent pair of scissors. Fabric shears are recommended, but not necessary.

First, press your T-shirt so that it is as smooth as possible. Use straight pins to keep the front and back of the shirt together. Use a ruler to mark with dots the specific amount you want to cut off, remembering to be conservative because the shirt will roll up. Then, use the ruler to connect the dots. Cut the shirt with the T-shirt against a table or flat surface. Do not tug at the shirt to roll it when you are finished; you want it to roll as little as possible.

If your shirt is a bit too snug, try just removing the hem of the shirt. Use the same process as cutting the sleeves, just removing the hem will loosen the shirt, and a couple of tugs here and there can make a meh shirt look and feel wow. The hem will roll, but if the shirt isn't so snug and you haven't shortened it a lot, it shouldn't roll up too much.

If you plan on always wearing your shirt knotted, slice the shirt from the centre of the front bottom hem up about 3″ and tie! Alternatively, if you know you will be wearing your T-shirt in a knot every time, you may wish to just snip off the bottom hem to get more stretch for a T-shirt knot.

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Making a unisex t-shirt sleeveless

If you want to make a t-shirt sleeveless, it's important to start with the right shirt. A shirt that is 1-3 sizes too large is ideal, as you will want to wear something underneath. You will also need a decent pair of fabric scissors.

Step-by-step guide to making a unisex t-shirt sleeveless:

  • Place the shirt on a flat surface, ideally a table, and turn it inside out.
  • Cut along the shoulder seam, removing the seam and the sleeve.
  • Do not tug at the fabric after cutting, as this will make the arm openings wider.
  • Try on the shirt to ensure the armholes are even and make any necessary adjustments.
  • If desired, cut out the neck of the t-shirt and/or 2-4" of the hem for a more stylish look.

Tips:

  • Be conservative with your cutting—it's better to cut off less fabric than you think you need, as you can always cut more later.
  • Wash and dry the shirt before making any further adjustments, as this can change the fit.
  • If you plan to cut the sleeves off multiple shirts, consider buying a second pair of scissors to ensure you always have a sharp pair for cutting fabric.

Additional customisations:

  • For a distressed look, cut holes into the fabric with scissors or a box cutter.
  • For a muscle tee, measure about six inches from the bottom of the shirt and cut upwards at a slight angle, leaving about an inch of fabric attached to the sleeve.
  • For a sleeveless tank, cut out the neck of the shirt just below the seam and trim off the sleeves, starting at the armpit. Hem the new edges to avoid fraying.
  • To make cap sleeves, mark a line from the bottom of the sleeve straight up, with the top of the line about 2" out from the seam.

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Knotting a t-shirt

There are many ways to knot a T-shirt, and it's a great way to add flair to a basic tee. Here is a detailed guide on how to knot a T-shirt, with some extra tips and tricks included.

Basic Front Knot

This is probably the most common and well-known knot. It transforms an oversized T-shirt into a cute crop top.

  • Fold the back of your T-shirt up.
  • Gather the leftover fabric at the front.
  • Twist the fabric until it forms a spiral.
  • Wrap it around and pull the end piece through.

Smooth Front Knot

This is an optional extra step to the basic front knot. It helps to tidy up the little piece of fabric that pokes through the knot.

Take the fabric at the end and fold it over the entire knot to create a smooth finish.

Simple Front Tuck with a Knot

This is a combination of a tuck and a knot, giving a loose and effortless look to your T-shirt.

  • Grab the sides of your T-shirt and shorten the back.
  • Take a section at either side of the front.
  • Loosely twist the fabric on one side.
  • Tuck the end into your bottoms and adjust to your preferred length.

Back Knot

You can do either the "bun" or "bunny ears" knot (as described below) for this style. It's a little trickier working at the back, but it can be done with practice!

Bunny Ears Knot

  • Gather two sections of fabric from the bottom hemline, one in each hand, in front of each of your hips.
  • Cross the left "bunny ear" over the right one.
  • Pull it under and up through the gap, just like tying shoelaces.
  • Pull on both "ears" to tighten the knot.

Rubber Band Knot

  • Gather the fabric at the hemline in one hand, as if you are going to do a "bun" knot.
  • Instead of tying a knot, tighten a small rubber band around the gathered fabric, right up against your body.
  • Tuck the loose end of the fabric and the rubber band up and under your shirt.

Tips and Tricks

  • You can play around with the placement of the knot. It doesn't always have to be centered! Try a side knot or a back knot.
  • You can also vary the tightness of the knot, depending on your preference.
  • Oversized shirts are best for knotting as you will have more fabric to work with.
  • If you plan on always wearing your shirt knotted, consider slicing the shirt from the center of the front bottom hem up about 3 inches and tying it.
  • If you don't want a tight knot, or don't have a lot of extra fabric, use a small hair tie to create a faux knot. Gather the fabric, twist it into a tight rope, fold the rope in half, and wrap a rubber band twice over the folded section. Then, pull and adjust the fabric to hide the rubber band.

Frequently asked questions

You can cut along the sleeve's hem, removing the stitching along with the extra length. You can also cut along the neckband and remove it by turning the t-shirt inside out.

You can fold up the cuff or bottom hem, pin it, and stitch the folded cuff or hem into place with a stretch stitch.

You will need a decent pair of scissors or fabric shears.

Go slow, be conservative, and read up on tips! Try on the shirt with any undergarments you would wear with it and check yourself out in the mirror.

Cutting a curved hem t-shirt can help achieve a more feminine fit, especially if the original shirt has a "unisex" fit with a high crew neckline and long, snug sleeves.

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  • Byeon
  • Byeon
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