Transforming Men's T-Shirts: Cutting And Creating Tank Tops

There are many reasons to transform an old T-shirt into a tank top. It could be that the T-shirt is too old, faded, or stained to wear, or you may simply want to increase your range of motion or stay cool during a workout. Whatever the reason, it's a simple task that requires few tools and little expertise. All you need is a T-shirt, a tank top or sports bra to use as a template, scissors, and optionally, a sewing machine or needle and thread.

Cut sleeves and collar off

To cut the sleeves and collar off a men's T-shirt to make a tank top, start by laying the T-shirt flat on a table or the ground. Smooth out the T-shirt, lining up the seams to ensure that the fabric is super flat. If you want to keep the collar, mark two inches from the seam at the neck of the T-shirt on both sides with a washable marker or pen. If you don't want to keep the collar, simply mark where the front and back parts of the crew neck meet.

Next, mark two inches below the seam of the sleeve, on both sides. If you want a more open tank top that shows more of your rib cage, you can go lower than two inches. Now it's time to start cutting! Cut one sleeve off, starting at the bottom mark and following the natural curve of the sleeve seam up to the mark at the neck. Repeat this process on the other sleeve.

Then, fold the T-shirt in half, lining up the neck seams. This will allow you to make identical cuts on both sides of the shirt. Cut off the collar by cutting through the marks you made at the neck. If you want to cut the neckline deeper, do so now.

Now you have a sleeveless T-shirt! If you want to leave it like this, you can. Or, you can continue cutting to create a racerback tank top.

Cut a deep V-shape into the back

To cut a deep V-shape into the back of a men's T-shirt to make a tank top, first cut the sleeves off the T-shirt. Then, cut the hem off the shirt and snip it to make a long strand. Next, trim the back of the armholes into a racerback shape, being careful not to cut the armholes on the front of the shirt.

Now, cut a deep V-shape into the back of the shirt. Identify the back centre of the neckline and cut a deep V-shape, keeping the point of the V-shape between the armholes. This will prevent the fabric from bunching up when you tie it up.

At this point, you can either leave the racerback as it is or continue to the next steps to make a fancier racerback. To do this, tie one end of the fabric strand you cut from the hem earlier around the bottom of the V-shape. Then, wrap the strand around the fabric moving downward, trying to wrap as tightly as you can so that the fabric between the armholes turns into a "rope". When you reach the bottom of the armholes, wrap the strand back towards the top of the shirt and secure the end by tucking it under the wound fabric. You can also tie the two ends of the strand together into a tight knot for extra security.

Cut bottom hem off

Cutting the bottom hem off a T-shirt is a great way to turn it into a tank top. This is an easy process that requires few tools and can be done by anyone.

To begin, make sure you have a T-shirt that you are willing to cut up. It is best to use an old T-shirt that you no longer wear, as this will give it a new lease of life. You will also need a pair of scissors. Place the T-shirt on a flat surface and smooth it out, ensuring that the seams are lined up.

When you are ready, take your scissors and cut along the bottom hem of the T-shirt. Follow the line of the stitching as you cut. This will ensure that your cut is straight and even. Once you have cut all the way around, you will be left with a large fabric ring. Carefully cut this ring, so that you are left with a long, straight piece of fabric.

This fabric can now be used to decorate your new tank top. For example, you could use it to create a racerback design. Simply bunch the fabric at the point where you want the racerback to begin, and then tie the fabric strip tightly around it. Continue wrapping the strip of fabric down the back of the tank top, keeping it as tight as possible. This will create a stylish and unique feature for your new tank top.

If you want to create a high-low effect, you can also cut the bottom of the tank top. Simply measure up a few inches from the side seam and then cut downwards towards the back of the shirt. This will result in a tank top that is shorter in the front and longer in the back.

Fold and pin fabric

Now that you've cut the sleeves off, it's time to fold your t-shirt in half, lining up the neck seams. This will allow you to create an identical cut on the opposite side of the shirt. You can use a pen to mark the line, or simply eyeball it. This step ensures that both sides of your tank top are symmetrical.

Once you've made the second cut, you'll have a sleeveless t-shirt. But we're not done yet! If you want a racerback style tank top, grab a sports bra or another tank top with a racerback design. Use this as a stencil to trace the desired shape onto the back of your shirt. Make sure you only cut through the back layer of fabric, or you'll end up with an awkwardly shaped tank top.

Now, take the sleeves you cut off earlier and cut them into 0.5"-1" wide strips of fabric. You'll use these strips to create the racerback straps for your tank top. Depending on how long you want the straps to be, you may need to cut two strips from each sleeve.

At this point, you should have a sleeveless shirt with a racerback design. Grab the back of the shirt and bunch it together where you want the racerback straps to begin. Take one of your fabric strips and tie it in a tight knot around the bunched fabric. Leave a longer end on the tie, as you'll be wrapping this into the shirt to secure the knot and prevent it from unraveling.

Start wrapping the fabric strip around the bunched fabric, moving downward. Try to wrap as tightly as possible to create a neat "rope" effect. Continue wrapping until you reach the bottom of the armholes. When you're happy with the length of your strap, tie another knot to secure it in place. Use your finger to weave and tuck the excess fabric beyond the knot back into the twisted fabric.

And there you have it! You've successfully transformed a men's t-shirt into a stylish tank top. Feel free to make any final adjustments to the length or fit, and don't be afraid to add your own creative touches.

Stitch folded edges

Once you've cut the sleeves and collar off your t-shirt, you can cut the front neckline and armholes wider if you'd like. If you plan on having finished hems, remember to leave a 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance. If you don't want to hem your tank top, you can skip this step and the next one, as t-shirt fabric does not fray.

Now, fold the cut edges down by 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) and secure them with straight pins. Press the folds flat with an iron. Make sure you are folding towards the outside, not the inside.

The next step is to stitch the folded edges. You can sew by hand or use a sewing machine for more professional, durable stitches. When using a sewing machine, try to use a stitch intended for knit fabrics. This looks like a straight stitch that is broken up by a V every few stitches. Remember to tie the ends of the threads into tight knots and to snip off the excess tail ends when you're done.

Frequently asked questions