Transforming Baggy Shirts: Diy Tank Top Makeover

There are many ways to turn a baggy shirt into a tank top. You can cut the sleeves off, cut the neckline, or cut the backside. You can also make a racerback tank top by cutting the sleeves off and trimming the back of the armholes. If you want a more professional finish, you can hem the edges of the shirt by folding and ironing them, then stitching them down. This is a great way to upcycle old t-shirts and give them a new lease of life.

Cut the sleeves off

Cutting the sleeves off a T-shirt is the first step in turning it into a tank top. This is a simple process, but it can be a little nerve-wracking, as you don't want to ruin your shirt.

First, lay your T-shirt flat on a table or the ground, and smooth it out, lining up the seams. You can use a ruler or measuring tape to mark two inches from the seam at the neck of the T-shirt on both sides. Then, mark two inches below the seam of the sleeve, on both sides. If you want a more open tank top that shows more of your rib cage, you can go lower than two inches below the sleeve seam.

Now it's time to start cutting. Use your scissors to cut just one sleeve off, starting at the bottom mark under the sleeve. Follow the natural curve of the sleeve seam, aiming for the mark you've made at the neck.

Once you've cut one sleeve, fold your T-shirt in half, lining up the neck seams. This will allow you to trace your first cut and make an identical cut on the opposite side. You can use a pen or just eyeball it.

And that's it—the sleeves are off! Don't throw them away, though, as you might need them later if you want to add a racerback to your tank top.

If you're happy with a basic tank top, you can stop here. But if you want to add a racerback, follow these steps:

• Grab a sports bra with a wide, solid racerback strap, or find a racerback tank top.
• Use it as a stencil by lining up the shoulders with the top of your tank top.
• Trace the parts you can, and eyeball the rest.
• Lift up the back of the shirt and cut out the backside only. Be careful not to cut through both layers, or you'll end up with an awkwardly shaped tank top.

Cut the neckline

Now that the sleeves are out of the way, it's time to tackle the neckline. This part is a little more tricky, as you want to make sure you're cutting in a straight line and not wonky. Use your ruler or measuring tape to mark two inches from the seam at the neck of the t-shirt on both sides. You can choose to keep the ring on the shirt or remove it—it's up to your preference.

Next, cut the neckline. You can use a tank top that you like the fit of as a template by placing it on top of the t-shirt and using its neckline as a guide. Alternatively, you can freehand the cut, ensuring you cut in a straight line across the front of the shirt. If you want a deeper neckline, cut further away from the collar. Remember to only cut the front of the shirt at this stage.

If you want to add a personal touch, you can cut the back of the shirt into a racerback style. To do this, grab a sports bra with a wide, solid racerback strap or a racerback tank top. Use it as a stencil by lining up the shoulders with the top of your soon-to-be tank top. Trace the parts you can and eyeball the rest. Cut along the lines you've drawn, being careful to only cut the back side of the shirt.

Cut the backside

To cut the backside of a baggy shirt into a tank top, you will need a washable marker or pen, a sports bra or racerback tank top to trace, and a pair of scissors.

First, lay your shirt flat on a table and smooth it out, lining up the seams. Use a ruler or measuring tape to mark two inches from the seam at the neck of the shirt on both sides. You can keep the ring on the shirt if you like the look, or remove it. Next, mark two inches below the seam of the sleeve, on both sides. If you want a more open tank that shows your rib cage, you can mark lower than two inches.

Now, cut one sleeve off, starting at the bottom mark and following the natural curve of the sleeve seam up to the mark at the neck. Fold the shirt in half, lining up the neck seams, and trace your first cut to make an identical cut on the opposite side.

Flip your shirt over and grab a sports bra with a wide, solid racerback strap, or a racerback tank top. Line up the shoulders of the shirt with the top of your soon-to-be tank top and trace the parts you can, eyeballing the rest. Use the lines you've drawn to lift the back of the shirt and cut out the backside only. Be careful not to cut through both layers, or you'll end up with an awkwardly shaped tank top.

You can also cut a strip of fabric from the sleeves to create a racerback effect. Cut a 0.5"-1" wide strip of fabric from one of the sleeves. Depending on how far down your back you want the racerback to go, you may need two pieces, so cut both sleeves just in case. Bunch the back of the tank together where you want the racerback to begin and tie your long strip of fabric in a tight knot to hold it together. Leave a longer end to the tie, as you will wrap this into the shirt to prevent it from unravelling. Begin winding the long piece of fabric downwards, tucking the short end underneath as you go. When you've gone as far down as you like, tie another knot in the fabric and use your finger to weave and tuck the excess fabric beyond the knot back into the twist.

Make the ties for the back

Now for the fun part! Grab the back of your tank and bunch it together where you want the "racerback" to begin. Take one of the long strips of fabric you cut from the sleeves and tie it in a tight knot around the bunched fabric. Leave a longer end to the tie so that you can wrap this into the shirt to prevent it from unravelling.

Now, start winding the long piece of fabric "string" around and down the bunched racerback portion of your tank. As you go, tuck the short end of your string underneath, hiding the excess fabric. If you want to continue but your string is long enough, tie another piece to the end and keep going!

When you've gone as far down the tank as you'd like, tie another knot in the fabric. Then, use your finger to weave and tuck the excess fabric (beyond the knot) back into your twist. This will help prevent it from coming untied or unravelling in the wash.

Hem the sleeves and bottom

Hemming is a great way to finish the edges of your new tank top and prevent fraying. While t-shirt fabric does not fray, hemming will give your tank top a neater, more professional look.

To hem the sleeves and bottom of your tank top, start by folding the raw edges inward. Use your iron to press the folds flat, then stitch them down to create a clean finish. You can sew by hand or use a sewing machine for more durable stitches. If using a sewing machine, try to use a stitch intended for knit fabrics. This will look like a straight stitch, but it will be broken up by a V every few stitches.

When you are done sewing, remember to tie off the ends of the threads into tight knots and snip off any excess tail ends. Now, turn your new tank top right side out and try it on!

If you want to add some extra flair to your tank top, consider adding lace cap sleeves or tying the sides in a bow. You can also experiment with different types of hems, such as a rolled hem or a folded hem. Have fun with it and get creative!

Frequently asked questions