Transform Your Tank Top With Even Cuts

Tank tops are a versatile garment that can be easily customised to suit your style. Whether you want to modify an existing tank top or create a new one from an old T-shirt, there are several ways to achieve an even cut. This guide will explore different methods for cutting a tank top evenly, ensuring a neat and symmetrical finish.

Cut wider straps into thin double straps

To cut wider straps into thin double straps, you'll need a ribbed tank top with wide shoulder straps of at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) in width. A tank top with a binding around the armholes and collar is ideal, but you can also use a basic jersey (T-shirt) material.

Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Cut a Notch into the Shoulder Seam

Make a small cut at the shoulder of your tank top, within the collar and armhole hems. Ensure you don't cut straight across the top of the shoulders, as this will cause the shirt to fall apart. Stay within the hems on the armhole and collar. Try to cut across the entire shoulder while staying within these hems.

Step 2: Cut Around the Armhole

Start at the notch you just made and cut down the front of the tank, using the armhole binding as a guide. Stop cutting when you reach the same level as the bottom edge of the collar, or just below it. Repeat this step for the back of the tank, keeping in mind that the collar in the back will be higher.

Step 3: Cut Around the Collar

Cut around the collar in a similar fashion, but stop just before it curves. Begin at the top of the collar, where it meets the shoulder notch, and finish at the bottom, just before the curve. Repeat this step for the back of the tank, remembering that the collar will be shallower. You're cutting the collar side shorter than the armhole side because you'll be cutting the final piece at an angle.

Step 4: Cut the Strips at an Angle

After cutting around the collar and armhole, you'll have loose fabric strips in the front and back of your tank. Cut these strips at an angle where they connect to the rest of the shirt, creating two intact thin straps.

Step 5: Clean Up the Cut Edges

Use smaller scissors to cut as close as possible to the fabric wrapped around the collar and armhole edges. This will give your straps a neater, more refined look, resembling slender spaghetti straps. Repeat the entire process on the other side to ensure both straps are even.

Turn a tank top into a wrap top

This is a simple DIY project that can be done without sewing, although you can add a few stitches for a more polished look. The first step is to choose a tank top made from stretchy material. The longer the tank top, the easier it will be to wrap.

Turn the tank top inside out and cut the side seams off halfway up the sides. Be careful not to cut the seams off all the way up to the armpits, as you want to divide the tank top into two panels – a front and a back panel. If you're worried about the stitching unraveling, you can hand-sew a few stitches over the cut ends.

Hold the tank top against you and mark where you want it to end. Cut the side seams up to this mark. Now, cut the back panel off, starting at one side seam and finishing at the other. You are essentially cutting the tank top in half, so use the bottom cut edge of each side seam as a guide. Do not cut through the front panel, as this will be used to create the ties.

Cut a vertical slit into the centre of the front panel, halfway up the tank. Unfold the front panel so that it sticks out from under the back of the shirt. Find the middle of the hem on the front panel, then cut a vertical line straight up to the bottom edge of the back panel.

Try on the tank top and wrap the two ties across your chest, angling them so that the bottom edges are aligned. Tuck the end of the top tie under the bottom edge of the other tie to hold it in place. You can also use fabric glue to secure the ties in place if you don't want to re-wrap them each time.

And there you have it – a stylish wrap top made from a simple tank top!

Refashion a T-shirt into a tank top

Refashioning a T-shirt into a tank top is a great way to give new life to old clothing. It's a simple process that doesn't require any sewing, but you can add stitches for a more polished look. Here's a step-by-step guide to transform your T-shirt into a stylish tank top:

Step 1: Choose Your T-shirt

Select a T-shirt that you're comfortable cutting up. If you want a fitted tank top, choose a T-shirt with a similar fit. Wash and dry the T-shirt before starting, especially if it's new, as fabric tends to shrink after the first wash.

Step 2: Prepare the T-shirt

Lay the T-shirt flat on a table with the front side facing up. Make sure the side seams and shoulder seams are even. You can iron the T-shirt to remove any wrinkles and create a smoother surface to work on.

Step 3: Cut the Sleeves and Neckline

Carefully cut off the sleeves of the T-shirt, ensuring that the seam allowance remains on the sleeve. Mark a straight line across the neckline, the same distance down from each shoulder seam. Cut along this line to remove the neck collar. You can make the front and back necklines different heights if desired.

Step 4: Create the Armholes

Fold and match the armholes on the front and back of the shirt. Trim if necessary to ensure they are even. Baste 1/2 inch away from the raw edge of the armhole on the side of the shirt. Use the stitching line to fold the raw edge to the wrong side, pin, and press into a smooth curve. Stitch near the raw edge to finish the armhole, then remove the basting stitches.

Step 5: Finish the Neckline

Fold the straight neck edges 5/8 inch towards the wrong side and press with an iron. Stitch near the raw edge to secure the neckline.

Step 6: Cut and Hem the Bottom (Optional)

Cut the bottom of the shirt to your desired length. You can leave it long, create a crop top, or any length in between. If you want a hem, allow for hem width when cutting. Cut off a 1-inch wide strip from the scrap, creating a flat piece. Pull on the ends of the tie to make the knit curl inward on the long edges. You can hem the bottom if desired.

Step 7: Create the Straps

Cut two strips from the remaining T-shirt fabric or use ribbon for the straps. Thread the straps through the front and back armhole casings. You can tie the straps in a bow at the shoulder, or sew the ends together and hide them in the casing for a more permanent solution.

Step 8: Finalize and Adjust

Try on your new tank top and adjust the straps to your liking. You can change the length of the armholes and create a higher or lower neckline by adjusting the knot or tie. You can also gather the front and back to create a racerback style.

Tips and Tricks:

• If you want to add a decorative touch, cut a fringe into the bottom of the shirt by making vertical slits about 1/2 inch apart.
• You can also leave the edges raw without hemming, as T-shirt fabric does not fray.
• For a more polished look, finish the hems with a sewing machine or hand stitch them.

Make a basic tank top

Making a basic tank top is a simple process that only requires a few tools. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, source a tank top that you can use as a template. Ensure that the tank top fits you well and looks good. If you don't have a tank top, don't worry, as you can still proceed without one. Next, choose a T-shirt that you are happy to cut up. The T-shirt does not need to fit well unless you want a fitted tank top. Wash and dry the T-shirt if it is new, as fabric tends to shrink after the first wash.

Now, iron both the tank top and the T-shirt to remove any wrinkles and make them easier to work with. Lay the T-shirt flat on a table, then place the tank top over it, aligning the shoulders of both garments. Make sure that the front sides of both tops are facing upwards.

At this point, you can pin the tank top to the T-shirt to keep it from moving. Place straight pins along the edges of the tank top, pinning through all layers of fabric. Now, cut the T-shirt using the tank top's armholes and neckline as a guide. Leave a 0.5-inch (1.27-centimetre) seam allowance if you want a finished hem; this is optional, as T-shirt fabric does not fray.

Unpin the tank top from the T-shirt and put it away. With the T-shirt still inside out, you can now cut the front neckline and armholes to your desired shape and size. Remember to leave a seam allowance if you plan on hemming.

If you want a finished hem, fold the cut edges down by 0.5 inches (1.27 centimetres), securing them with pins and pressing them flat with an iron. Stitch the folded edges, either by hand or using a sewing machine. When finished, remove the pins, turn the tank top right side out, and try it on.

And there you have it—a basic tank top made with your own hands!

Make a racerback tank top

Racerback tank tops are a great garment to work out in, as the armholes are wider at the back, meaning sweat won't accumulate on your shoulders. You can buy one, but making one is much cheaper and means you can create your own design.

To make a racerback tank top, you will need a t-shirt that is 1 to 2 sizes larger than what you normally wear. It should be at least the length you want the racerback to be, as you can always cut it shorter, but you can't make it longer. Begin by cutting the sleeves off about 1 to 2 inches below the armpit and finishing just inside the top shoulder seam. Do the left sleeve first, then fold the shirt in half lengthwise and use the cut edge as a guide for the right sleeve.

Next, turn the shirt over so the back is facing you and cut the armholes wider. Begin cutting at the armpit, scoop down 1/2 to 1 inch, then cut in towards the centre by about 2 inches. Finish cutting at the top of the original cut edge, making sure you are only cutting through the back of the shirt. Trace the piece that you cut out onto the other armhole, then cut along the line that you traced.

Now, cut the collar off at the stitching, starting at the left shoulder and working your way around the shirt. For a more feminine touch, cut the front of the collar about 1 to 2 inches below the stitching to make it larger. Then, cut across the back of the shirt, just below the collar, about 1 to 2 inches below the left armhole and finish at the right armhole.

Finally, cut two vertical slits down the back of the shirt to make three equal-sized strands, which you can then braid. When you have finished braiding, sew or glue the end of the braid to keep it together.

You can also make a braided racerback tank top from a t-shirt without using scissors or thread. First, draw out a racerback shape on your t-shirt with fabric marker or chalk. Then, cut about 1/2 inch beyond the lines you drew (this extra 1/2 inch is your seam allowance). On one of the armholes, fold along your chalk line and pin it in place, hiding the raw edges inside the shirt. Sew along the pinned edge with either a zigzag stitch or a double needle, then repeat this process with the other armhole.

To make the band, cut a 4-inch by 5-inch rectangle out of the leftover material from the sleeves. Fold the rectangle in half with the right sides together, then pin the 4-inch ends together. Sew the end that you pinned to form a tube and trim the raw edges near the stitching. Now, turn the tube right side out so the raw edges are hidden inside and iron it with the seam in the centre. Wrap this loop around the fabric at the back of the shirt with the seam on the outside and pin the ends together. Sew the ends together and trim the raw edges close to the stitching, then turn the loop right side out so the raw edges and centre seam are hidden inside. Finally, twist the loop so that the seam is towards the inside of the shirt.

Frequently asked questions