Transforming Tees: Diy Tank Top Makeover

Turning a T-shirt into a tank top is a great way to upcycle old clothing and create a unique, trendy garment. This DIY project is perfect for those who want to get more wear out of their old T-shirts, especially during the hot summer months. With just a pair of scissors and some basic sewing skills, anyone can transform a T-shirt into a stylish and comfortable tank top. There are various styles to choose from, such as basic tank tops, racerback tank tops, and gathered shoulder tank tops. So, whether you're looking to increase your range of motion, stay cool, or simply showcase your favourite T-shirt designs, learning how to turn a tee into a tank top can be a fun and rewarding experience.

Cutting the sleeves off

Firstly, lay your t-shirt flat on a table or another flat surface. Smooth out any creases or wrinkles, ensuring the t-shirt is super flat, with the seams lined up. If your t-shirt is new, it is recommended to wash and dry it first, as fabric tends to shrink after the first wash.

Next, grab a ruler or measuring tape and mark the cutting lines with a washable marker or pen. Place a mark about 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 cut it off, depending on your preference. Similarly, mark about two inches below the seam of the sleeve on both sides. If you want a deeper neckline or prefer to show more of your rib cage, you can mark slightly lower than two inches.

Now, it's time for the cutting! Take your scissors and cut just one sleeve, starting at the bottom mark you made under the sleeve. Carefully follow the natural curve of the sleeve seam, aiming for the mark at the neck. This can be a nerve-wracking step, but don't worry; you've got this!

After cutting one sleeve, it's time to cut the other to make them even. Fold your t-shirt in half, lining up the neck seams. This will allow you to trace the cut you just made, creating an identical cut on the opposite side. You can use your pen to mark the cutting line or simply eyeball it.

And there you have it! The sleeves are off, and you're well on your way to creating your very own tank top. Remember to keep the sleeves you cut off, as you might need them later for creating a racerback or adding a unique touch to your tank top.

Cutting the neckline

The first step in turning a tee into a tank top is to cut the sleeves off. You can do this by turning the t-shirt inside out and using a tank top as a template, or by marking a line two inches from the seam at the neck of the t-shirt on both sides.

Once you have cut the sleeves off, you will need to cut the neckline. If you are using a tank top as a template, simply trace the neckline of the tank top onto the t-shirt using a chalk pen or erasable pen. If you are marking the neckline freehand, cut just one sleeve off the t-shirt first, then fold the 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.

For a basic tank top, you can leave the neckline as it is. If you want a deeper neckline, fold the shirt in half and cut the front neckline lower, remembering that you will need to leave a 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance if you plan on hemming the neckline.

If you want to finish the neckline with a rolled hem, cut the sleeves off outside the sleeve seam, leaving about a 1/4-inch (0.64 cm) seam allowance. This will give the armhole a little reinforcement and feel like you've added binding to it. Once the sleeves are cut off, fold the fabric edge over the sleeve seam and then fold it over again. Thread your sewing machine with a matching colour of thread and sew all the way around using a straight stitch, sewing just inside the outer fold to hold it in place.

If you want to add binding to the neckline, measure the neckline, starting at the centre back and going all the way around to the centre front. Double that measurement and then subtract 1 inch. This will be the length to cut your binding. Cut 2-inch strips of binding on the stretch of your binding fabric to this length. Place the strips right sides together and sew the short ends together using a 1/4-3/8-inch seam allowance to form a ring. Fold the ring in half to find the halfway point and mark it with a pin. Do the same with the neckline of the tank top, finding the halfway point from the centre back and marking it with a pin.

With the shirt wrong side out, line up the binding seam with the centre back and pin it in place. Line up the halfway points and pin them in place. The binding piece will be shorter than the tank top piece, so you will need to stretch the binding slightly as you sew. Starting at the centre back, sew all the way around using a 3/8-inch seam allowance and a regular straight stitch. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam. Fold the binding to the wrong side with the seam finger-pressed outward and towards the binding. Pin or clip in place all the way around, making sure the seam is enclosed in the binding. On the top side, stitch in the ditch, which is the point where the shirt meets the binding. Ease and stretch the fabric slightly as you sew and backstitch at the end.

Carefully trim any excess fabric close to the seam, being careful not to cut the fabric underneath.

Cutting the backside

Now for the backside! This is where things can get a little tricky, so take your time and go slowly. First, flip your shirt over so that the back is facing you. Grab a sports bra with a wide, solid racerback strap, or find a racerback tank top. Use this as a stencil to draw the shape you want to cut out. Line up the shoulders of the stencil with the top of your soon-to-be tank top and trace the outline of the racerback. You can also eyeball it if you prefer.

Once you have your outline, carefully cut along the lines you've drawn. Make sure you're only cutting through the back layer of the shirt—you don't want to end up with a funny-shaped tank top! After you've made your cut, you can adjust the length of the back if you'd like. Just cut straight across the back to your desired length.

Now it's time to make the ties for the back. Take one of the sleeves you cut off earlier and cut a 0.5"-1" wide strip of fabric from it. If you're careful, you'll end up with a fabric loop. Cut the loop to create one long, straight piece. You may need two of these strips, depending on how far down the back of your tank you want the racerback to go.

Grab the back of your tank and bunch it together where you want the racerback to begin. Tie your long strip of fabric in a tight knot around the bunched fabric. Leave a longer end on the tie so that you can wrap it into the shirt to prevent it from unraveling.

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 the string underneath to hide the excess fabric. If you need to add another strip of fabric, simply tie it on and keep going!

When you've gone as far down the tank as you'd like, tie another knot in the fabric to secure it. Then, use your finger to weave and tuck the excess fabric beyond the knot back into the twist. This will help prevent it from coming untied or unraveling in the wash. And that's it! You've successfully cut the backside of your tank top!

Creating the racerback

To create a racerback tank top, you will need a t-shirt that is one to two sizes larger than what you normally wear. The t-shirt can be blank or have a design on the front, but avoid using a fitted shirt as the racerback will turn out too small. It is also important to ensure that the t-shirt is at least the length you want the racerback to be, as you can always cut it shorter but cannot make it longer.

Start by cutting the sleeves off the t-shirt, beginning just under the armpits and cutting straight up towards the shoulders. You can cut the sleeves even lower if desired, but keep in mind that you may want to wear a tank top or bandeau underneath your new racerback.

Next, flip the shirt over and cut the back armholes wider. Begin cutting at the armpit, scooping down and cutting in towards the centre. Make sure you are only cutting through the back of the shirt and not the front. Trace the piece that you cut out onto the other armhole and cut along the line. Be careful not to cut the armholes too close together, as you will need enough fabric to braid later.

Now, cut the collar off at the stitching, working your way around the front and back of the shirt. For a more feminine touch, cut the front of the collar about one to two inches below the stitching to make it larger.

Cut across the back of the shirt, just below the collar, starting at the left armhole and finishing at the right. This will separate the top and bottom of the shirt. Again, make sure you are only cutting through the back of the shirt. You can also cut the corners off the back collar for a more rounded look.

At this point, you should have a rectangular strip of fabric in the back of your shirt. Cut two vertical slits down the rectangle to create three equal-sized strands for braiding. Pull on each strand to make them longer and skinnier, which will help the cut edges curl inward and make them easier to braid.

Now, braid the strands by crossing the outer ones over the middle one. Continue braiding until you have about half an inch of fabric left, then sew or glue the end of the braid to keep it together.

Fold the back collar in half to find the centre, then pin the top of the braid to the centre of the collar. Try on the shirt to ensure you are happy with the fit. If the braid is too long, adjust it by moving the collar further down. Sew or glue the braid to the centre of the collar, creating a T shape.

Finally, cut a strip of fabric from one of the sleeves and wrap it around the top of the braid to conceal the stitching. Place the narrow end of the rectangle against the top of the braid and wrap it around a few times, overlapping onto the back collar. Cut off the excess fabric and sew or glue the end down.

Hemming the armholes

• Turn the T-shirt inside out: Before you begin cutting or hemming, make sure to turn the T-shirt inside out. This ensures that you are working on the wrong side of the fabric, which is the side that will not be visible when the tank top is worn.
• Cut the sleeves: Using scissors, cut the sleeves off the T-shirt. Start by cutting just under the armpits and cut straight up towards the shoulders. You can also cut the sleeves outside the sleeve seam, leaving about a 1/4-inch margin. This will give the armhole a little reinforcement and a bound-like feel.
• Fold and pin the fabric: Once the sleeves are cut off, fold the fabric edge over the sleeve seam by about 1/4 inch. Then, fold it over again, creating a neat hem. Secure the folded edge with straight pins to hold it in place. Make sure to fold the fabric towards the outside of the shirt, not the inside.
• Sew the hem: Thread your sewing machine with a matching or complementary colour of thread. Starting at the underarm seam, sew all the way around the armhole using a straight stitch. Sew just inside the outer fold to securely hold the hem in place. Repeat this step for the other armhole.
• Try on the tank top: After hemming both armholes, turn the tank top right side out and try it on. The armholes should now have a neat and secure finish.

Remember, it is important to take your time and work carefully when cutting and hemming the armholes. You can always cut off more fabric, but you can't add it back once it's cut! Additionally, if you want a deeper cut at the armholes, feel free to cut a bit more fabric, and it will still work out fine.

Frequently asked questions