Crafting A Slashed Back T-Shirt: A Creative Guide

There are many ways to cut a slashed-back T-shirt, and it's a fun way to upgrade old shirts that are stained, torn, or no longer fit. You can cut slits into the back of the shirt, creating different shapes and styles. This can be done by folding the shirt in half lengthwise, with the back on the outside, and then drawing and cutting your desired shape. You can also cut the sleeves, neckline, or hem to create a tank top, muscle tee, or crop top. Cutting vertical or horizontal slits on the sides or back of the shirt is another option for an edgy look. Additionally, you can create shoulder cutouts or woven neck and back designs for a unique touch.

Fold the back of the T-shirt in half lengthwise

Folding the back of the T-shirt in half lengthwise is the first step in creating a slash-back T-shirt. This technique will allow you to cut horizontal slashes in the back of the shirt, creating a unique design while also ensuring that you don't accidentally cut the front of the shirt.

To start, take your T-shirt and lay it on a flat surface. Smooth out any wrinkles or creases, as you want to ensure the fabric is flat and even before proceeding. Then, fold the shirt in half lengthwise, bringing the back of the shirt together so that the back is on the outside and the front of the shirt is on the inside. Make sure the fold is sharp and precise, as this will help you achieve a neat and symmetrical design.

Once you have the shirt folded, you will carefully pull the front of the shirt out of the "sandwich." By doing this, you create a barrier between the front and back of the shirt, reducing the risk of cutting the front by accident. Now, you are ready to start planning and cutting your desired design into the back of the shirt.

At this point, you will decide on the shape you want the slashes to create. You can opt for a simple shape like a heart or an upside-down triangle. Draw half of your desired shape along the folded edge, keeping in mind that larger shapes tend to work better for this style. The width of the shape will also determine how revealing the final design will be, so adjust the size according to your preference.

After finalising your design, you will use fabric scissors to cut slits into the folded edge, making sure to stop at the lines that mark your chosen shape. Space the slits about a finger's width apart and use your pinkie finger as a guide for thinner stripes and your index finger for thicker ones. Remember to be gentle and precise during this step to achieve clean cuts.

Once you have cut all the slits, unfold your shirt, and you should see your chosen shape filled with horizontal slashes! If the edges of the slashes look uneven, don't worry. You can fix that by gently tugging on the strips of fabric to curl them inside the shirt, making any unevenness less visible and creating thinner strips.

Decide on the shape you want the slashes to create

When creating a slashed-back T-shirt, it's important to first decide on the shape you want your slashes to form. This will determine the overall look of your DIY design. Here are some ideas and instructions to guide you through the process:

Heart or Upside-Down Triangle

This design is a classic choice for slash-back T-shirts. To create this look, fold your T-shirt in half lengthwise, with the back of the shirt on the outside and the front on the inside. This folding technique will ensure that you only cut through the back of the shirt. Next, decide on the size of your desired shape—larger shapes tend to work better for this style. Draw half of your chosen shape (either a heart or an upside-down triangle) along the folded edge of the shirt. Extend this shape from just below the collar to about halfway or two-thirds of the way down the shirt. Use tailor's chalk or a tailor's pen to draw the shape, depending on the colour of your fabric.

Horizontal Slashes

If you want to keep it simple, you can opt for horizontal slashes across the back of your T-shirt. Decide on the width of each slash and the spacing between them. You can use your finger as a guide—use your pinkie finger for thinner stripes and your index finger for thicker ones. Cut the slits into the folded edge of the shirt, ensuring that you only cut through the back fabric. Space the slits evenly apart, and cut them to your desired length.

Fish Gills

For a unique look, you can create "fish gills" by cutting even horizontal strips down the sides of your T-shirt. Lay your shirt on a flat surface and iron out any wrinkles. Make cuts from the bottom of the sleeve to the bottom hem, going through both layers of fabric. You can adjust the length and direction of your cuts to create different effects. Play around with vertical slits or varied hole sizes for an edgier or more distressed appearance.

Bows

For an adorable and feminine touch, you can add bows to the back of your T-shirt. First, cut a 2.5-inch (6.4 cm) slit in each shoulder of the shirt. Then, trim off the shirt's bottom hem and use the excess fabric to tie bows at the shoulders. The longer the fabric you trim off, the thicker your bow bands will be. You can also adjust the length of the bows by trimming the bottom sleeve hem instead of the shirt's hem.

Remember, when deciding on the shape of your slashes, consider the overall style you want to achieve and the level of reveal you are comfortable with. Larger shapes and wider slashes will result in a more open back, while smaller shapes and thinner slashes will create a more subtle effect.

Draw half of the desired shape along the folded edge

Before you start drawing, you need to decide what shape you want the slashes to create on the back of your shirt. Slash-back t-shirts usually have horizontal slashes in the back, cut at different lengths to create a simple shape, such as a heart or an upside-down triangle.

Once you've decided on your shape, you need to divide it in half lengthwise. Then, take your folded shirt and lay it on a flat surface with the back facing you. Use tailor's chalk on dark fabrics and a tailor's pen on light fabrics to draw half of your desired shape along the folded edge of the shirt. If you can't find these, regular chalk will also work. The shape can be whatever size you want, but larger shapes tend to look better with this style. Keep in mind the width of the shape – the wider it is, the more revealing your shirt will be. Extend the shape from just below the collar to about halfway or two-thirds of the way down the shirt.

Cut slits into the folded edge, stopping at the lines drawn

Now that you've folded the back of your T-shirt in half lengthwise, with the back on the outside and the front on the inside, it's time to start cutting! But before you grab your fabric scissors, decide on what shape you want the slashes to create on the back of your shirt. Slash-back T-shirts usually feature horizontal slashes that form a simple shape, such as a heart or an upside-down triangle. If you haven't already, draw half of your desired shape along the folded edge, making sure that the shape is divided in half lengthwise. Remember, the shape can be as big or small as you like, but larger shapes tend to work better for this style. Also, keep in mind the width of the shape—the wider it is, the more revealing the final product will be.

Now that you've decided on your shape and drawn it onto your shirt, it's time to start cutting. Use fabric scissors to cut slits into the folded edge, making sure to stop at the lines that make up your half-shape. Space the slits about a finger-width apart, using your pinkie finger as a guide for thinner stripes and your index finger for thicker ones. It's important to ensure that you're only cutting through the back of the shirt at this stage, so double-check that the front of the shirt is pulled out of the way.

Unfold the shirt and tug on the strips of fabric

Now that you've cut the slits into the folded edge of your shirt, it's time to unfold it and take a look at your handiwork! Don't worry if the edges of the slashes look a little uneven at this stage—you'll fix that in the next step.

Unfold your shirt and lay it out flat on a table or another flat surface. Now, it's time to tug gently on the strips of fabric that make up the slashes. Be careful not to tug too hard, as you don't want to accidentally rip the fabric. By tugging on the strips, you'll cause the edges to curl inside the shirt, making any unevenness less visible and helping to make the strips thinner.

Here's a handy tip: grab a strip on one side and slide your finger across it to the other side to make them more even. You can also cut the neck, collar, and hem off if you want to give your shirt a more rugged look. If you do decide to cut off the sleeves, you can either cut them off at the hems or all the way, including the seams.

Finally, give your shirt a wash to get rid of any chalk or pen marks you used to create your design. Check the tag on your shirt to find the right temperature and cycle setting for washing and drying. And that's it! You've successfully created a slashed-back T-shirt.

Frequently asked questions