Create A Braided Racerback Tank Top: Step-By-Step Guide

Braided racerback tank tops are a popular garment to work out in, as the wider armholes in the back prevent sweat from accumulating on the shoulders. Making one is much cheaper than buying one, and it gives you the freedom to create your own design. In this article, we will walk you through the steps to make your own braided racerback tank top using an old T-shirt.

Choosing a T-shirt

To make a braided racerback tank top, you'll need to start with a T-shirt. This is an important step as it will determine the final look and feel of your tank top. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for choosing the right T-shirt:

Size:

Choose a T-shirt that is 1 to 2 sizes larger than your usual size. This is important as you don't want the racerback to turn out too small. A larger T-shirt will also give you more fabric to work with when cutting and braiding.

Length:

Consider the length of the T-shirt. It should be at least as long as you want the final racerback to be. Remember, you can always cut it shorter, but you can't easily add length back.

Fit:

Avoid using a fitted T-shirt. A looser, more relaxed fit will work better for this project and give you more flexibility with the cutting and braiding.

Fabric:

Cotton or a cotton/polyester blend will work well for this project. A cotton/poly blend may drape nicer and be more resistant to unraveling. Avoid fabrics with side seams as they will affect the final look of your tank top.

Printing:

Printing or graphics on the T-shirt are fine, as long as they don't make the fabric stiff or puckered. Keep in mind that the T-shirt will be turned inside out, so check how the printing looks on the inside as well. Some designs may show through the fabric.

Bust Measurement:

Select a T-shirt that is 3-6" wider than your bust measurement. This will ensure a comfortable fit and allow for more drape in the final tank top.

Condition:

Old, beat-up T-shirts are perfect for this project! You can give new life to a T-shirt that you don't wear anymore by transforming it into a stylish and functional racerback tank top.

Remember to choose a T-shirt that you feel comfortable cutting and altering. Once you've found the perfect T-shirt, you can move on to the next steps of cutting the sleeves, armholes, and collar to create your braided racerback tank top!

Cutting the sleeves

To start making your braided racerback tank top, you'll need to cut the sleeves off your chosen t-shirt. This will be the first step in transforming it into a tank top. Begin cutting 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) below the armpit and finish just inside the top shoulder seam. It's recommended to start with the left sleeve, and then fold the shirt in half lengthwise. This way, you can use the cut edge as a guide for cutting the right sleeve, ensuring symmetry.

When cutting the sleeves, be mindful that you can always cut more if needed, but you can't undo a cut that's too deep. So, always cut less than the desired amount and gradually cut more if necessary. Additionally, consider that you might want to wear a tank top or bandeau underneath your new racerback, so adjust the sleeve length accordingly.

After cutting the sleeves, you'll be left with a sleeveless shirt that forms the base for creating your braided racerback design. Remember to keep the sleeves you cut off, as you can reserve them for another use or create a matching tie for your new tank top.

Now, let's move on to the next step, which involves cutting the back of the armholes to give the distinctive racerback style.

Step 2: Cutting the Back Armholes

For this step, turn the shirt over so that the back is facing you. Begin cutting at the armpit of the sleeve you cut in the previous step. Here, you'll want to scoop down 1/2 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) and then cut in towards the centre by approximately 2 inches (5.1 cm). Finish cutting at the top of the original cut edge. Ensure that you are only cutting through the back of the shirt and not the front.

This step will give your tank top the signature racerback style, with wider armholes in the back compared to the front. Just be cautious not to cut the armholes too close together, as you'll need enough fabric later for braiding.

Now that you've cut the back armholes, you'll repeat the process on the other armhole to ensure symmetry. Simply trace the piece that you cut out onto the other armhole and then cut along that line.

A Creative Way to Utilise the Cut-off Sleeves

As mentioned earlier, don't discard the sleeves you cut off! You can use one of the sleeves to create a stylish finishing touch for your braided racerback tank top. Here's how:

Take one of the sleeves you cut off and cut along the seam to create a long rectangle. From this sleeve fabric, cut out a rectangle measuring approximately 1 1/2 by 4 inches (3.8 by 10.2 cm). If you want, gently tug on the rectangle to make it longer and help the edges curl in, creating a more fluid look.

This rectangle piece will be used to wrap around the top of your braid to conceal any stitching and give a polished look to your design. You can even sew or glue the narrow end of this rectangle to the top of the braid before you begin wrapping it for a more durable finish.

Now that you've prepared the rectangle piece, it's time to move on to the next step of braiding the straps, which will be the focal point of your new tank top.

Cutting the back arm holes

To cut the back arm holes, start by turning the shirt so that the back is facing you. Begin cutting at the armpit of one sleeve and scoop down by 0.5 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm). Then, cut towards the centre of the back by about 2 inches (5.1 cm) and finish cutting at the top of the original cut edge. Make sure you are only cutting through the back of the shirt and not the front.

Next, trace the piece that you cut out onto the other armhole, and cut along this line. Ensure that the armholes are not cut too close together, or you will not have enough fabric to braid with.

Now, cut the collar off at the stitching. Cut the entire collar off, starting at the left shoulder and working your way around the front and back of the shirt, finishing at the left shoulder again. For a more feminine look, cut the front of the collar about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) below the stitching to make it larger.

Finally, cut across the back of the shirt, just below the collar. Cut straight across, about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) below the collar, starting at the left armhole and finishing at the right. This will separate the top and bottom of the shirt. Again, be careful only to cut through the back of the shirt.

Cutting the collar

Now that the sleeves have been removed, it's time to cut the collar. This will create a wider neckline and give the tank top a more feminine look. Start by flipping the shirt so that the front is facing you. Cut the collar off at the stitching, starting at the left shoulder and working your way around to the right shoulder. This will give you a clean edge to work with.

For a more feminine and flattering look, you can cut the front of the collar about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) below the stitching. This will make the collar larger and more open, showing off your shoulders and neck. Be careful not to cut too close to the shirt's design, if there is one, as you want to ensure the design remains intact and centred on the shirt.

Next, flip the shirt over and cut across the back of the shirt, just below the collar. Start at the left armhole and finish at the right armhole, about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) below the collar. This will separate the top of the shirt from the bottom, giving you more flexibility with the braiding. Make sure you are only cutting through the back of the shirt and not the front.

At this point, you may want to cut off the corners of the back collar to create a more rounded shape. This will give the collar a softer, more fluid look and help it blend in with the rest of the collar. You can also choose to cut the bottom hem of the shirt to complete the raw-edged look. Simply cut along the bottom hem, right at the stitching, and remove it.

Now you have a rectangular strip of fabric at the back of your shirt, and you're ready to start braiding!

Braiding the straps

Now that you have cut your T-shirt into three equal-sized strands, it's time to start braiding! First, gently pull on each of the strands to make them longer and skinnier. This will cause the cut edges of the fabric to curl inward, making them easier to braid and ensuring that the final braid is not too short.

Next, cross the left strand over the middle strand, and then cross the right strand over the new middle strand. Repeat these steps until you have about half an inch of fabric left. If you are making a four- or five-strand braid, adjust your braiding technique accordingly.

Once you have finished braiding, sew or glue the end of the braid to keep it together. You can use a simple straight stitch or running stitch, and the colour of the thread does not matter as it will be covered up later. Alternatively, you can use fabric glue and let it dry for 10 to 15 minutes.

Now, you will need to repeat the braiding process on the other side. After you have finished braiding both sides, you will likely be left with one loop of fabric that is longer than the other. To fix this, wrap the looser loop around the tighter loop until the excess length is gone. Then, weave the loose ends through the twisted portion and into the rest of the braid. You can secure the connection with a few stitches if needed.

Frequently asked questions