Transforming Crew Necks: Diy V-Neck T-Shirt Project

There are several ways to make a T-shirt V-neck, with or without sewing. One method involves cutting off the collar directly underneath the seam, determining how deep you want the V-neck to be, and then cutting the neck opening in a straight line. Another method involves sewing the V-neck collar by prepping the V neckline on the front shirt piece, sewing the front and back shirt pieces together at the shoulders, and then attaching and sewing the neckbinding.

Measure the V-neck

The first step to making a V-neck T-shirt is to measure how deep you want the V-neck to be. A good way to do this is to 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. Lay it flat on a table and line up the shoulders. Then, use a ruler to measure the distance from the point where the collar meets the shoulder seam to the point of the V. Write this measurement down.

If you plan on 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. It's better to be conservative with the depth of the V as you can always make it deeper later.

If you're having trouble visualising the V-neck, try the T-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, shoulders and arms match up exactly. 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 previously, 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.

Sew a V-neck collar

Sewing a V-neck collar is a simple process that can be done in a few different ways. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to sew a V-neck collar:

Prepare the Fabric:

• Cut the fabric according to your desired V-neck depth. Mark the spot where you want the point of the V to be, then fold the fabric in half vertically.
• Use a ruler to measure the distance from the point where the collar meets the shoulder seam to the point of the V, and note this measurement.
• If you are using an existing collar, ensure the V is no longer than 2 inches (5 cm) from the bottom of the collar, or it will not fit.
• Fold your fabric so that the front of the collar is on the outside of the fold, and smooth down all edges until the fabric is free of wrinkles.

Sewing the V-Neck:

• Turn the fabric inside out and remove the stitches around the front collar using a seam ripper or sharp scissors.
• Cut the front of the collar in half, then stretch each side along the length of the V-neck to lengthen the collar.
• Pin the rough edges of the collar to the V-neck, inserting a pin about every 1 inch (2.5 cm) to hold them together.
• Sew the collar to the neckline, starting at the top and sewing about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) away from the rough edges. Stop sewing about 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the point of the V.
• Pull the collar to the other side of the V and sew the other side in the same way, lining up the rough edges at the point of the V.
• Sew the two ends of the collar together at the rough edges to create a sharp V point.

Finishing Touches:

• If there is any puckering at the point of the V, use an iron to press the hem down and create a smooth finish.
• Trim any excess fabric or threads to ensure a clean, professional look.

Alternative Method:

Another way to create a V-neck collar is by binding the neckline:

• Cut a strip of fabric for the neckband, following your pattern measurements or measuring the neckline and subtracting 1/2 inch (1.3 cm).
• Fold the fabric strip in half lengthwise, with the right side out, and press it flat.
• Wrap the neckband into a loop and overlap the ends, pinning them in place.
• Sew the neckband with a V-shaped stitch about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) from the raw edge.
• Pin the right side of the collar to the right side of the garment neckline, lining up the raw edges and inserting a pin about every 1-2 inches (2.5-5.1 cm).
• Sew around the neckband with a straight stitch, leaving a 1/4 inch (0.64 cm) seam allowance. For stretchy fabric, use a zigzag stitch to allow for stretch.

With these methods, you can easily create a flattering and stylish V-neck collar for your T-shirt!

Cut the collar

To cut the collar of a T-shirt to make a V-neck, you will need a pair of sharp fabric scissors, a ruler or measuring tape, stick pins, a fabric marker, and a seam ripper. You may also need thread that matches the colour of your T-shirt, as well as a sewing machine or sewing needle.

First, put on your T-shirt and decide how deep you want the V-neck to be. Mark the spot where you want the point of the V to be with a pin. Then, fold the shirt vertically in half, ensuring that the back neck seam, side seams, and shoulders line up. Draw a diagonal line from the point of the V to each shoulder seam.

Now, remove the stitches connecting the collar to the front side of your shirt. Cut through the middle of the collar and along the V-neck outline. Measure the length of the collar and cut it in the centre. Stretch each side of the cut collar along the length of the V-neck and pin the rough edges of the collar to the rough edges of the V-neck. Sew the collar to the V-neck, starting at the top of the collar and sewing about a ¼ inch away from the rough edges.

Stretch the collar

Stretching the collar is an important step in achieving the right fit for your new V-neck. Most crew neck t-shirts are made of a ribbed fabric that is stretchy, so this step should be easy. Simply tug and pull each side of the collar down towards the V point to lengthen it. If your collar doesn't reach all the way to the point, just stretch it out again. If it still doesn't reach, your V might be too deep.

If you are having trouble getting the collar to stretch, you can buy some ribbed fabric that matches your collar from a craft store and sew it onto the V-neck outline.

Pin the collar

Now it's time to pin the collar into place. 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 a pin about every 2.5 cm (1 inch). When you get to the point of the V, do the same thing on the other side.

You’ll need to stretch the collar as you pin it to make it reach your new neckline. Most crew neck t-shirt collars are made out of a ribbed fabric that stretches easily. Just 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. You can always go back and make your V shallower, or buy some matching ribbed fabric from a craft store and sew it onto the collar to make it longer.

Make sure to pin the collar so that the rough edges of the collar and the V-neck are aligned. This will make it easier to sew neatly later.

Frequently asked questions