Transform Your Old T-Shirts Into Stylish Tank Tops

There are many reasons to transform a T-shirt into a tank top. Maybe you want to give new life to an old T-shirt that's too faded or stained to wear, or perhaps you want to show off a cute sports bra or create a top that's more comfortable in hot weather. Whatever your reason, it's a simple process that only requires a pair of scissors and, optionally, a needle and thread or a sewing machine. You can even use a tank top you already own as a template to ensure a perfect fit.

Cutting the sleeves and neck

To cut the sleeves and neck of a T-shirt to make a tank top, you will first need to lay your T-shirt flat, ensuring that the side seams and shoulder seams are even. You can then cut off the sleeves, being careful to keep the seam allowance on the side of the sleeve.

Next, you will need to mark a line straight across the neckline, the same distance down from each shoulder seam. You can use fabric chalk or a washable marker to do this. Cut straight across this line. You can make the front and back necklines different heights if you prefer.

If you are using another tank top as a template, lay it on top of your T-shirt, lining up the shoulder seams. Pin the tank top to the T-shirt to keep it from moving, then cut the T-shirt using the tank top's armholes and neckline as a guide.

If you don't have a tank top to use as a template, you can cut the sleeves and collar off your T-shirt, then fold the shirt in half before cutting to ensure both sides are even.

If you want to finish the armholes and neckline with a rolled hem, cut the sleeves outside the sleeve seam, leaving about a 1/4-inch allowance. This will give the armhole a little reinforcement and feel like you've added binding. If you want a deeper cut, that will also work—just try on the shirt before cutting to ensure it fits well and cut where you want it to be.

Sewing a basting line on each armscye

Preparation:

Before you begin, make sure you have the necessary tools, including a sewing machine or a hand-sewing needle, thread, and fabric scissors. It is recommended to use a thread colour that contrasts with your T-shirt fabric, making the basting thread more visible and easier to remove later.

Fold and Match the Armscyes:

Lay your T-shirt flat, ensuring the side seams and shoulder seams are even. Fold and match the armscyes (armholes) on the front and back of the shirt. Trim the armscyes if necessary to ensure they are even and symmetrical.

Sew the Basting Line:

Now, you will sew a basting line on each armscye. Basting is a technique of temporarily holding layers of fabric together with long, easily removable stitches. You can do this by hand or using a sewing machine.

If you are hand-sewing, thread your needle with a single thread and knot the end. Insert the needle at the edge of the fabric near the seam, ensuring you don't sew over the basting stitches, as this will make them difficult to remove later. Sew a line of running stitches by inserting the needle and thread through both layers of fabric. Make your stitches about a quarter of an inch apart, and don't pull them too tightly.

If you are using a sewing machine, set the stitch length to the longest setting (usually 4 or 5) to create long, easily removable stitches. Pin the layers of fabric together and sew along the edge of the armscye, keeping the stitching lines straight and even.

Press and Finish the Armholes:

Once you have sewn the basting lines, use the stitching line to fold the raw edge of the fabric to the wrong side, creating a smooth curve. Press the fabric with an iron to set the fold. Then, stitch near the raw edge with a stretch stitch to finish the new armhole. Finally, remove the basting stitches.

By following these steps, you will create a neat and secure armhole for your tank top, ensuring a comfortable and well-fitting garment.

Folding down the neck casings

Now that you have cut off the sleeves and neck of your t-shirt, it's time to fold down the neck casings. This will create a neat and secure edge for the neckline of your new tank top.

First, fold the straight neck edges of the shirt by 5/8 inch towards the wrong side of the fabric (the side that will be on the inside of the tank top). Use an iron to press the fold in place, creating a crisp edge. Then, stitch near the raw edge of the fabric with a stretch stitch. This will hold the fold in place and create a durable finish.

If you prefer a wider neckline, you can fold the neck edges by 1/2 inch instead. Alternatively, for a narrower neckline, you can fold them by 3/8 inch. Just make sure to adjust the width of your fold before pressing and stitching.

If you want to add a unique touch to your tank top, consider using a contrasting colour of thread for this step. You can also finish the edge with a decorative stitch, such as a zigzag or overlock stitch.

Once you've stitched the folded edges, your tank top is almost ready! Simply turn it right side out and try it on. You can also add additional embellishments, such as ribbons or trims, to the neckline for a more stylish look.

Cutting the bottom of the shirt

The first step is to cut off the bottom of the shirt to your desired length. You can cut it shorter for a crop top, or leave it longer—it's up to you! Don't forget to add a little extra length if you plan to hem the bottom.

If you want to, you can cut a 1-inch wide strip from the scrap fabric you've just cut off. Pull on the ends of this strip to make the edges curl inwards. You can use this strip of fabric as a tie for your tank top, or you can use ribbon if you prefer.

If you'd like a high-low look for your tank top, spread the shirt out sideways so you can see the side seam, armhole, and half of the front and back. Measure up a few inches from the folded front side of the shirt, then start cutting downwards towards the back. This will make the front of your tank top shorter than the back.

Now, you can thread your tie through the casings you've created. Tie the ends in a bow at the shoulder, or sew them together and hide them in the casing.

Threading the tie through the casings

To begin, cut off the bottom of the T-shirt, leaving a hem if desired. This will create a strip of fabric that can be used for the tie. If you prefer, you can use ribbon instead of the T-shirt fabric for the tie. The ribbon should be about a yard long. Pull on the ends of the tie to make the knit curl in on the long edges. You can hem the tie if you wish.

Now, it's time to thread the tie through the casings. Use a bodkin or a safety pin to guide the tie through the front and back casings. This process will create adjustable straps that allow you to change the length of the armholes and adjust the neckline of your tank top. Once the tie is threaded through, you can tie the straps in a bow at the shoulder. Alternatively, you can sew the ends of the tie together and hide them in the casing after adjusting the length to your preferred fit.

If you want to add a unique touch to your tank top, you can gather the fabric at the front and back to create a narrower racerback style. To do this, simply pull on the tie to gather the fabric and adjust the length of the armholes and neckline to your liking. This technique allows for customisation and versatility in the style of your DIY tank top.

Frequently asked questions