
There are many ways to cut an oversized T-shirt to make it look trendier and more stylish. Depending on the look you want to achieve, you can cut the sleeves, collar, and hem of the T-shirt. You can also get creative and make a choker neckline, a racerback tank, or a knotted side shirt. Cutting an oversized T-shirt is a simple and cost-effective way to upcycle clothing and give it a new look.
Racerback Tank
Transforming an oversized T-shirt into a racerback tank top is a fun and easy DIY project. All you need is a T-shirt, a good pair of scissors, and if you want to get fancy, some fabric glue. Here is a step-by-step guide to making your very own racerback tank:
Step 1: Choose Your T-shirt
Select a T-shirt that is oversized and that you won't mind cutting up. If it is a new shirt, consider washing and drying it first, as fabric tends to shrink after the first wash. For the best results, choose a shirt that is 3-6" wider than your bust measurement.
Step 2: Cut Off the Sleeves and Hem
Start by cutting off the sleeves of the T-shirt. Cut straight up from under the armpits to the shoulders. Next, cut off the bottom hem of the shirt. You can save the hem for later if you want to use it for decoration.
Step 3: Cut the Back
Now it's time to cut the back of the shirt into a racerback shape. Trim the back armholes so that there are only a few inches of fabric between them. Be careful not to cut the armholes on the front of the shirt. Cut a deep V-shape into the back of the shirt, keeping the point of the V between the armholes.
Step 4: Create the Back Straps
If you want to add some extra detail to the back of your tank, you can use the hem you cut off earlier. Take the hem and cut it open so that you have a long, fabric strand. Tie one end of this strand to the bottom of the V-shape on the back of the shirt. Then, wrap the strand around the fabric moving downward, creating a "rope" effect. Wrap the strand back towards the top of the shirt and secure the end by tucking it under the wound fabric or tying a knot.
Step 5: Finishing Touches
You can leave your racerback tank as is, or you can add some extra tailoring. For example, you can trim the bottom of the tank to create a high-low look, or add some buttons or a tie in the front. If you want to neaten up the edges, you can finish the hems with a sewing machine or fabric glue, but this is not necessary as T-shirt fabric does not fray.
And there you have it! Your very own handmade racerback tank top, perfect for layering or working out. Enjoy your new creation and feel free to experiment with different styles and techniques!
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Knotted Sides
Oversized T-shirts can be cut and knotted in a variety of ways to create a trendy and unique look. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving the knotted sides look:
Choosing the Right T-shirt:
Start with a T-shirt that is a few sizes too big for you. The length of the shirt is not important as you will be cutting it. Ensure the shirt fits well on the shoulders but is loose around the waist and hips.
Cutting the Collar:
If you want a larger collar, cut through both layers of fabric, using the front collar's seam as a guide. Alternatively, cut all the way around the collar from the left shoulder to the right, and then back to the left again.
Cutting the Bottom Hem:
Spread the shirt out on a flat surface and cut straight across the bottom. Cut right above the stitching on the hem if you like the length. If you want a shorter shirt, feel free to cut it shorter.
Determining the New Width:
Figure out how tight you want the shirt to be. Measure your waist and divide that number by 2. Add 3 inches (7.6 cm) to this new number to allow for the ties. This will be the new width of your shirt.
Marking the New Width:
Use a measuring tape to find the new width on your shirt. Place the measuring tape at waist-level, ensuring it is centred, and make a mark at each end with a pen or chalk.
Cutting the Sides:
Begin cutting at the bottom corner of one of the side hems, right next to the side seam. Cut in a curved line towards the mark you made at waist-level. Once you finish one side, repeat the process for the other side. You can also fold the shirt in half after cutting one side and use the cut edge as a guide for the other side.
Creating the Slits:
Cut evenly spaced slits into the side of the shirt, from the hem to the armpit. Make these slits about 1/2 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) wide. If you want a super tight fit, make the slits 3 inches (7.6 cm) long. For a more relaxed fit, make the slits 1 1/2 inches (3.8 cm) long.
Tying the Knots:
Turn the shirt right-side-out if you want the tassels to be visible. If you don't want the tassels to show, turn the shirt inside-out. Tie the strands at the front of the shirt to the matching strands at the back in a tight double knot.
Trimming the Tassels (Optional):
If you tied the knots on the inside of the shirt, you can trim the tassels for a smoother look. Cut the tassels as close as possible to the knots and then turn the shirt right-side-out.
And there you have it! Your very own knotted sides T-shirt, ready to be styled and shown off!
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Altering the Collar
There are many ways to alter the collar of an oversized T-shirt to achieve a new look. Here are some methods you can try:
Choker Neck
Draw a V-shape with a marker, leaving some border to act as a choker. Cut out the marked area and stretch it out. This is an easy way to create a stylish choker neckline without needing to worry about what necklace to pair with your outfit.
Scoop Neck
First, cut the entire collar off. Then, fold the front of the shirt in half lengthwise so that the back is loose. Cut about 1-2 inches (2.5-5.1 cm) below the collar, finishing at the top edge of the collar. Follow the curve of the collar for a traditional scoop neck, or cut in a straight line for a V-neck.
Off-the-Shoulder
Cut the entire collar off first. Choose which shoulder you want to expose, then find the centre of the collar and cut towards that shoulder seam, cutting through both layers of fabric. Remember, your left shoulder will be the shirt's right shoulder and vice versa.
Racerback Tank
Cut the collar off at the stitching, starting from the front left side and working your way to the right. Continue cutting along the back until you reach where you started. Do not cut through both layers of fabric at once, or the back of the collar will be too low. Cut the sleeves off, starting at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the armpit.
V-Neck
Fold the T-shirt in half, with the front part of the garment facing out, ensuring the neck is lined up in the middle. Mark the fold with a marker. Take your tape measure and measure your shoulder width from the base of your neck to a point slightly below your shoulder. Cut the top layer from the shoulder, slightly away from the hem, to the marked part in the middle. Repeat on the other side, ensuring you only cut the top layer. Then, cut the bottom layer straight across from either the left or right shoulder to avoid an oversized neck.
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Choker Neck
To create a choker neck look from an oversized T-shirt, you will need an old T-shirt, preferably with a thick collar, and a pair of scissors. You can also use pins, chalk, or tape to mark the cutting lines on your T-shirt.
First, try on your T-shirt and determine how deep you want the V-neck to be. Mark the lowest point of the cutout with a pin or chalk. Then, remove the shirt and fold it in half lengthwise, so that the shirt sleeve is in the middle, and you can see half of the T-shirt's design. If you are using pins, the pin on the breast should be along the front folded edge. If you are using chalk, draw a line where you want the tip of the V-neck to end.
Next, cut a straight line from the lower breast pin or chalk mark to the higher collar pin or mark. Make sure to stop cutting as soon as you reach the collar. Then, cut along the edge of the neckline to meet the first cut.
Finally, unfold the shirt, and your choker neck T-shirt is ready! You can gently tug at the cut edges to create a slight roll, which will help to hide any jagged edges.
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Sleeveless Vest
If you want to transform an oversized T-shirt into a sleeveless vest, follow these steps:
Start by laying your T-shirt out on a flat surface. You can cut the sleeves off in two ways, depending on the style you want to achieve.
For a casual, halter-top look with a larger armhole, cut through the seam of the sleeve, towards the body of the shirt. This will result in a fraying effect.
Alternatively, for a neater finish, cut the sleeves just outside the seam, leaving the seam intact. This will create a smaller armhole and prevent the fabric from fraying.
If you want narrower shoulders, finish cutting closer to the collar.
You can also create a cap-sleeve look by cutting the sleeves at an angle. Start cutting 1-2 inches from the top of the shoulder seam and finish 1/4-1 inch from the armpit seam.
If you want to create a racerback vest, cut the sleeves off starting at least 1 inch below the armpit and finish at the shoulder seam. Then, pinch the back of the shirt and gather the fabric between the armholes. Cut the collar off the shirt and use it to bind the racerback by wrapping it tightly around the gathered fabric.
Finally, try on your new sleeveless vest! You can also cut off the bottom hem for a more consistent look.
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Frequently asked questions
First, cut off the sleeves about an inch below your armpit up to your neck. Then, cut the collar to create a more comfortable neckline. Cut the back of the T-shirt, and pinch and hold the two sides at the armpit, wrapping a ribbon around to hold the material together.
You can resize from the sides or the back. To resize from the sides, cut the collar, bottom hem, and sides of the shirt from the bottom hem to the shoulder. Measure your waist to avoid making the shirt too tight or loose, and cut similar-spaced slits on the sides from the armpit to the hem. Tie the strands together and trim any raised fringes. To resize from the back, lay the shirt on a flat surface and trim the collar along the stitching line from right to left. Cut off the sleeves and, using your fingers, bring the trimmed sleeves together through the armhole, wrapping the cut-off strip tightly around.
Place the T-shirt on a flat surface and cut it in half at crop top length from the top. Slit the centre front and join the ends, forming a loop. Then, slit the centre front of the bottom half and stitch the ends together.
Draw a V-shape with a marker, leaving some border to act as the choker. Cut out the marked area and stretch it out.