Transform Your Oversized T-Shirts Into Trendy Tank Tops

There are many reasons why you might want to turn an old T-shirt into a tank top. Maybe you want to increase your range of motion in the arms, or maybe you just want to show off a cute sports bra. Whatever the reason, it's a simple process that can be done with just a pair of scissors. You can even make a racerback tank top if you want something a little more stylish. So, if you're looking for a way to upcycle your old T-shirts, keep reading!

Cut the sleeves off

Cutting the Sleeves Off a T-Shirt

Before you cut the sleeves off your T-shirt, it's a good idea to decide on the style of the tank top you want to create. For example, do you want a muscle tank, a fitted tank, or a racerback? This will determine where you cut the sleeves and how much fabric you remove.

• Prepare the T-shirt: Iron the T-shirt to remove any wrinkles and lay it flat on a clean surface. If you don't have an iron, you can put the T-shirt in the dryer with a damp washcloth for a few minutes, then shake it out and hang it up to cool down.
• Determine the cut line: Decide whether you want to cut the sleeves off at the seam or leave the seam intact. Leaving the seam will create a smaller armhole and give the tank top a neater finish. Cutting the seam with the sleeve will result in a larger armhole and a more casual look. For a fitted tank top, measure one inch inside the armhole sleeve down the side of the seam and then two inches inside at the armpit. Use chalk to draw a smooth line that curves in at the armhole.
• Cut the sleeves: Using sharp scissors, cut along the line you drew with chalk. If you are cutting at the seam, cut just inside the seam all the way around until the sleeve is removed.
• Create a hem (optional): If you want a more polished look, you can create a hem by folding the edge of the fabric inside the sleeve and stitching it in place. Fold the edge under by about a quarter to half an inch, press it with an iron, and then sew two straight lines around the ends of the sleeves to secure the hem.
• Add decorative touches (optional): You can further style your tank top by cutting holes in the fabric with scissors or a box cutter to create a distressed look. You can also add bows, fringe, or other decorative elements to the sleeves before cutting them off.

Tips and Tricks:

• Practice first: If you're worried about making mistakes, practice cutting sleeves on a cheap T-shirt from a dollar store before attempting to cut your desired shirt.
• Use a template: If you want to ensure even armholes, you can use a tank top that fits you well as a template. Place it on top of the T-shirt, aligning the shoulders, and pin it in place before cutting.
• Consider the fabric: T-shirt fabric is generally knit and does not fray easily. Therefore, you can leave the edges unfinished if you prefer a raw, unhemmed look.
• Create a racerback: For a racerback style, cut the sleeves off straight up from the armpits to the shoulders, then cut a deep V-shape into the back center of the neckline, stopping between the armholes.

Cut the neckline

Now, you will cut the neckline of the t-shirt. You can use the tank top as a guide if you want a similar neckline, or you can cut the neckline of the t-shirt lower for a more open tank top.

If you are using the tank top as a guide, place it over the t-shirt, aligning the shoulders, and mark the neckline with a washable marker or pen. Make sure to add an extra 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) to the outside of the tank top's neckline to allow for a seam allowance.

If you are cutting the neckline freehand, decide how low you want the neckline to be and mark this point on the centre of the neckline with a pen or marker. Then, cut the neckline, ensuring that it is symmetrical.

Once you have cut the neckline, you can choose to hem it for a more finished look. To do this, fold the cut edge down by 0.5 inches (1.27 cm), secure it with pins, and press it with an iron. Then, stitch the folded edge down by hand or with a sewing machine.

If you do not want to hem the neckline, you can leave it raw as t-shirt fabric does not fray.

Cut the backside

Now for the backside! This is where you can get creative and make your tank top unique. There are a few different ways you can go about cutting the backside, depending on the desired style and level of coverage.

If you want a basic tank top, simply use your scissors to cut a straight line across the back of the shirt, about two inches below the sleeve. This will create a simple, sleeveless style. For a more open tank top that shows off your rib cage, you can cut lower than two inches.

For a racerback style, the process is a little different. First, grab a sports bra with a wide, solid racerback strap, or find a racerback tank top. Use it as a stencil by lining up the shoulders with the top of your soon-to-be tank top. Trace the outline of the racerback onto the back of your shirt, and then carefully cut along the lines you've drawn.

Now it's time to make the ties for the racerback. Take one of the sleeves you cut off earlier and cut a 0.5"-1" wide strip of fabric from it. If you're careful, you'll end up with a fabric loop. Cut the loop to create one straight piece of fabric. Depending on how far down you want the back of your tank top to go, you may need two of these fabric strips.

Grab the back of your tank top and bunch it together at the spot where you want the racerback portion to begin. Tie your fabric strip tightly around this bunched fabric, leaving a longer end on the tie. Begin winding the long piece of fabric downwards, tucking the short end underneath as you go to hide the excess fabric. When you get to the bottom of the racerback, tie another knot to secure it in place.

And that's it! You've successfully cut the backside of your new tank top. Feel free to make any adjustments you want to the length or fit, or add your own creative touches.

Make the ties for the back

Now for the fun part! Take one of the sleeves you cut off earlier and cut a 0.5"-1" wide strip of fabric from it. If you're careful, you'll end up with a fabric loop—cut this to get one straight piece of fabric. Depending on how far down your back you want the ties to go, you may need two pieces, so cut both sleeves just in case.

Grab the back of your new tank top and bunch it together where you'd like the "racerback" portion to begin. Take your long strip of fabric and tie it in a tight knot around the bunched fabric. Leave a longer end to the tie so that you can wrap this into the shirt to prevent it from unravelling.

Now, begin winding the long piece of fabric "string" around and down the bunched racerback portion of your tank. As you go, tuck the short end of the string underneath to hide the excess fabric. If you run out of string before you've gone as far down the tank as you'd like, simply tie on another piece of fabric and keep going!

When you've gone as far down as you want to go (the author of this method went about 9 inches), tie another knot in the fabric. Then, use your finger to weave and tuck the excess fabric beyond the knot back into your twist. This will help prevent the knot from coming untied or unravelling in the wash.

Finishing touches

Now that you've done the cutting, you can make some finishing touches to your new tank top. If you want a neat finish, you can fold the cut edges down by 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) and press them flat with an iron. Secure the folds with straight pins and then stitch the folded edges down using a sewing machine or by hand. Remember to tie off the ends of the threads into tight knots and snip off any excess tail ends.

If you want to add some extra detail to your tank top, you could try adding lace cap sleeves, turning it into a halter top, or adding some simple ruffles. You could also cut the bottom of your tank top to give it a high-low look, making it shorter in the front and longer in the back.

If you're feeling creative, you could even add some fabric paint or appliques to give your tank top a unique design. The possibilities are endless, so feel free to get as creative as you like!

Once you're happy with your new tank top, try it on and make any necessary adjustments to the length or fit. You can also cut off the bottom cuff or add some bedazzling for an extra special touch.

Frequently asked questions