Cut-Up T-Shirt: A Sexy Diy Guide

There are many ways to cut up a T-shirt to make it look sexier. You can cut the sleeves to make it into a tank top, cut the collar to make the neckline wider, or cut the bottom to make it into a crop top. You can also cut slits into the sides or back of the T-shirt, or cut out shapes like butterflies or hearts. If you want to get more advanced, you can try weaving the fabric or tying it into bows.

Cut out a V-neck

To cut a t-shirt into a V-neck, you'll need a crew neck shirt, a ruler or measuring tape, stick pins, a fabric marker, fabric scissors, and a seam ripper. If you want to sew the collar back on, you'll also need thread that matches the colour of your shirt, as well as a sewing machine or needle.

First, measure how deep you want the V-neck to be. You can lay a V-neck shirt that you like over your t-shirt as a guide. Mark the spot where you want the point of the V to go with a pin, then fold the shirt vertically in half. Now, lay it flat on a table and line up the shoulders. Use a ruler to measure the distance from the point where the collar meets the shoulder seam to the point of the V, and write this measurement down.

If you’re sewing the existing collar to your shirt, the V has to be no longer than 2 inches (5 cm) from the bottom of the collar. If it’s deeper than that, the collar won’t fit around the new V neckline. If you don't have another V-neck shirt, simply eyeball how deep you want the V-neck to be. It's better to be on the conservative side, as you can always make the V deeper later.

If you’re having trouble visualising the V-neck, try your shirt on. Look in the mirror and mark the spot you'd like the point of the V with a pin.

Now, fold your t-shirt in half vertically. Lay your t-shirt face down on the table, then fold one side over to the other. The front of the collar should now be on the outside of the fold. Make sure that the neckline, the shoulders, and the arms match up exactly. Then, smooth down all the edges until the shirt is free of wrinkles.

Trace the outline of the V-neck with a fabric marker. Make a diagonal line with your ruler, placing it where the shoulder seam meets the collar down to the middle of the chest. Using the measurements you took in the previous step, mark off the point of the V with a fabric marker. Then, draw a line between the mark and the point where the shoulder seam meets the collar. Flip the shirt over and repeat this step on the other side.

Turn the shirt inside out and remove the stitches around the front collar. Unfold your t-shirt, flip it inside out, and lay it flat on the table with the front side facing you. Using a seam ripper, push the tip of the tool under the stitch sewn between the collar and the shirt at the shoulder seam. Pull the seam ripper up to cut through the thread. Continue to cut through the threads until you get to the other shoulder seam. Make sure to leave the collar attached to the back of the shirt.

Turn your shirt back to the correct side and smooth it on the table. Unfold your t-shirt and flip it back the right way round. Lay it on your table and press it down to remove any wrinkles. Then, fold the front of the collar backwards so it is away from the front of the shirt. This helps you make a smoother and straighter cut, free from mistakes.

Cut along the V-neck outline. Starting on one side of the V-neck outline, use a pair of sharp fabric scissors to cut along the marked line. Be careful to only cut through the front side of the shirt. Stop cutting when you reach the point. Then, repeat this process on the other side.

Cut the front of the detached collar in the centre. Lay your t-shirt flat with the front side facing you. Measure the length of the collar with your ruler and use your fabric marker to place a dot in the middle. Then, cut through the collar at this point.

Stretch each side of the cut collar along the length of your V-neck. To get your collar to reach your new neckline, tug and pull each side of the collar down to the V point to lengthen it. If your collar doesn’t reach all the way to the point of the V, pull and stretch out each side again. If it still doesn’t stretch all the way, your V might be too deep. Just go to your local craft store and buy a ribbed fabric that matches your collar.

Hold your shirt as flat and taut as you can. Then, stretch one side of the collar along the length of the V, placing a pin between the collar and shirt to hold them together. Continue to stretch the collar along the edge of the V, inserting 1 pin about every 1 inch (2.5 cm). When you get to the point of the V, do the same thing on the other side.

Sew from the top of the collar to about 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the V point. Use a sewing machine or a needle and thread to sew about a ¼ inch (0.6 cm) away from the rough edges of the collar and neckline. If you’re sewing by hand, a simple running or back stitch will do. Just stop sewing when you get about 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the point of the V. Make sure the thread you use matches the colour of the shirt.

Move the bottom of the collar to the other side of the V-neck, lining it up against the rough edge at the point of the V. Pin the collar into place, then sew the rest of it to the shirt. Then, sew down the other side of the collar to 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the V point.

Finally, sew the end of the collar to the other collar end on the rough edge. Align the rough edge of the bottom of the collar to the rough edge of the other collar end that you already sewed down. The bottoms of the collar overlap to create a V point. Then, simply sew the collar ends together to finish off your shirt!

Create a crop top

Creating a crop top from a T-shirt is a fun and easy DIY project. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect crop top:

Choose Your T-shirt

Select an old or unwanted T-shirt that you are happy to transform. You can use any type of T-shirt, whether it's a short-sleeve or long-sleeve, but keep in mind that you won't be able to use it as a T-shirt again. If you're cutting off the sleeves and collar, ensure the desired areas are not damaged.

Prepare Your Tools

Before you begin cutting, gather your tools. You will need sharp fabric scissors, a ruler or measuring tape, chalk or a fabric marker, and pins. A hand-held iron is optional but can be useful for smoothing out wrinkles and polishing your final product.

Determine the Length

Try on the T-shirt and decide how short you want your crop top to be. Mark the approximate line where you will cut with a pencil. Once you lay the T-shirt flat again, use your ruler or measuring tape to measure the distance between the bottom of the T-shirt and the line you marked. Make a note of this measurement.

Mark the Cut Line

Lay the T-shirt on a flat surface. Find the centre of the width of the T-shirt along the bottom seam. Use your measuring tape or ruler to measure the previously noted distance from the centre and mark with a pencil. Repeat this process 1-2 inches from each side of the T-shirt. You do not need to connect the pencil marks, as you won't be making a straight cut.

Cut the Bottom

Make three cuts from the bottom of the T-shirt. First, a straight cut up to the middle pencil mark. Then, from the same spot, make diagonal cuts to the approximate location of the side pencil marks. The diagonal cuts should be at a 45-degree angle. These cuts will create the ties of your crop top.

Finalise the Cut

Cut the rest of the bottom of the T-shirt off. Make a cut from the top of each diagonal to the sides of the T-shirt. Flip the T-shirt over and cut along the back. You can also cut off the sleeves and collar if desired, ensuring you cut along the inside of the seams.

And there you have it! Your very own custom crop top. Feel free to get creative and experiment with different styles and cuts.

Make a sleeveless shirt

Making a sleeveless shirt is a great way to upcycle an old T-shirt and create a stylish new garment. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect sleeveless look:

Step 1: Choose Your Shirt

Almost any shirt can be transformed into a sleeveless top. However, it's essential to select a shirt that you feel comfortable altering. Men's style T-shirts are often a good option, as they tend to be looser-fitting.

Step 2: Prepare Your Shirt for Cutting

Place your chosen shirt on a flat surface, ensuring it is inside out. This step is crucial, as it allows you to clearly see the seams of the shirt, which will guide your cutting process.

Step 3: Cut the Sleeves

Using sharp scissors, begin cutting strips into the sleeves, perpendicular to the seam. Cut in a straight line, moving upwards towards the shoulder seam, and stop just before you reach it. This process will help to straighten the curve around the shoulder seam, resulting in a flatter lay for your sleeveless shirt.

Step 4: Trim the Strips

Carefully trim off the strips you created in the previous step, cutting as close to the edge as possible. Pull the strips taut as you cut to achieve a clean, straight cut. Be extremely cautious not to cut into the shoulder seam, as this can cause fraying and potential unraveling of the shirt over time.

Step 5: Clean Up the Seams

Examine your work and clean up any stray threads or uneven edges along the shoulder seam. Carefully trim these with your scissors to ensure a neat finish and prevent further fraying.

Step 6: Try On Your New Sleeveless Shirt

Your shirt is now officially sleeveless! Try it on and admire your handiwork. The shirt should have a sleek, sleeveless look while still retaining the original seams, helping it last longer.

Additional Customization:

If you're feeling adventurous, there are several ways to further customize your sleeveless shirt:

• Create a Classic Sleeveless Tank: Cut out the neck of the shirt just below the seam, pulling the fabric taut as you cut. Then, trim off the sleeves, starting at the armpit and cutting upwards towards the middle of the shirt. Remember to leave enough width for the straps, about 1.5 inches or more. Finish by hemming the new edges to prevent fraying.
• Make a Muscle Tee: For a more open and breathable style, measure about six inches from the bottom of the shirt and cut into the side, angling your cut slightly upwards. Continue cutting until you reach the sleeve at the shoulder, leaving about an inch of fabric still attached to the sleeve. Pull the shirt tight as you cut to maintain a straight line. Finish by hemming the edges if desired.
• Add Distressed Details: For a punk or grunge vibe, use scissors or a box cutter to create small cuts along the hem and on the front and back of your shirt. To make larger holes, pinch the fabric and cut into the fold, then stretch the hole slightly with your fingers.

Add a bow to the back

There are several ways to add a bow to the back of a T-shirt. Here are some methods:

Bow Collar

To add a bow collar to a plain T-shirt, you will need an old T-shirt with a boatneck or narrow neckline, 1 yard of eco-friendly fabric, a sewing machine, thread, and a measuring tape. First, cut out four identical pieces for your bow and iron them. You can cut simple rectangles or have your bows taper out at the bottom. Each piece should be 40" long and 2.5" wide. If you're cutting a tapered bow, only the last 4-5" should taper, and the width at the wide end should be around 4.5".

Pair up your bow pieces and sew the narrow end of each pair together. Open up your sewn-together pieces and cut the seams open. You should now have two long strips of fabric. Pin them right sides together and sew all the way around, leaving about a 2" gap where you sewed the narrow ends together. Flip your bow right side out, iron it again, and then top stitch the opening closed, using a 1/4" seam allowance.

With your T-shirt right-side out, pin your ribbon around the neck of the shirt. The seam where you sewed the two skinny ends together should be in the center. For an off-center bow, pin this off to one side. For a centered bow, center this part on the back of the neck. Ensure that the bottom of the bow lines up with the top edge of the T-shirt. Sew the bow to the neckline of the shirt, leaving about a 3.5" gap so that you can tie it up and the neckline will still have some stretch. Flip up the collar, give it a press with your iron, and tie and arrange your bow.

Criss-Cross Back Style

Lay your T-shirt down, face up. Cut along the bottom seam of the shirt, going up on the sides to create a rounded-edge effect. The highest point of the cut should be about 3 inches from the bottom, depending on the size of the shirt. Cut the neck of the shirt to make a scoop. Start about 1 or 2 inches from the shoulder seam and cut all the way across in a scooped shape, continuing the shape on the back part of the neck as well.

Flip the shirt onto its back. Cut a square out of the back of the shirt, starting about 6 inches below the scoop neck. Cut the fabric from the square into a thin string, starting at the bottom corner and cutting continuously around the square like a swirl. You can also use ribbon instead. Cut four slits on each side of the T-shirt surrounding the cut-out square. The slits should have corresponding slits on the opposite side. Take the T-shirt string or ribbon and thread it through the holes, crisscrossing back and forth. Tie a bow or knot at the bottom.

Lace-Up Back

Another method is to cut the back of the T-shirt and add bows to lace up the shirt. First, lay the T-shirt on a flat, clean surface so that the side seam is visible. Cut the side of the shirt where the seam is located in a large triangle. The triangle should start about 4 to 6 inches wide at the bottom and get smaller as it goes up. The top section of the cut should be about 1 inch thick. This cut should go up the seam and stop about 2 inches below the armpit of the shirt. Cut the second side the same way and put the cut fabric aside for later use.

Cut six to eight 1-inch slits on one side of the newly cut triangle hole. Cut corresponding slits on the other side of the triangle hole, ensuring they line up with the slits on the opposite side. Cut the excess fabric into 1- or 2-inch strips—you will need the same number of fabric pieces as the number of slits you created. String the fabric through the two corresponding slits and tie it in a knot. Complete this for all remaining slits.

Cut out a scoop neck

To cut a scoop neck into a T-shirt, start by laying the T-shirt flat on a table with the front facing up. You want to make sure that the fabric is smooth and free of any creases or wrinkles. Next, fold the T-shirt so that the shoulder seams are aligned at the neckline, creating a crease down the centre of the front and back of the shirt. This will ensure that your cut is straight and even.

Now, you need to decide how low you want the scoop neck to be. Using a ruler, measure 1-3 inches (2.5-7.6 cm) below the bottom of the collar, depending on your desired neckline depth. Mark this spot with a pin or a piece of chalk.

Take a pair of sharp fabric scissors and place them at the mark you made. Cut the fabric in a curved shape, following the line of the collar, ensuring that you are cutting through both layers of the shirt. Cut all the way to the back of the shirt, then remove the collar.

Finally, gently pull on the neckline to roll the edges of the fabric inwards, hiding any jagged edges. This will give your new scoop neck a neat, finished look.

Frequently asked questions