Transforming T-Shirts: Diy Halter Tank Top Project

how to turn a tshirt into a halter tank top

Halter tops are fun, flirty shirts with open backs that tie behind your neck. If you want to make your own halter top, you can transform a T-shirt, spaghetti strap tank top, silk handkerchief, skirt, or scarf into one. This guide will focus on how to turn a T-shirt into a halter top.

First, unfold your T-shirt and spread it out on a flat work surface with the front of the shirt facing up. Smooth out any wrinkles with your hands, and iron the shirt if it is wrinkled. Next, use a chalk pencil to draw cut lines. Draw one line at a 45-degree angle from the right side seam, just below the armpit, to the collar. Then, draw a second diagonal chalk line from the left side seam, just below the armpit, to the collar. The right and left lines should be about 5 to 6 inches apart and should not meet at the neck. Cut along the lines and remove the collar.

Now, fold the top layer of the shirt down onto itself. With your chalk pencil, draw a straight line on the inside back layer of the shirt directly above the fold of the top layer. Extend the line from side seam to side seam, and cut off the top portion of the back layer along the chalk line. Unfold the front layer of the shirt, flip over the tee so that the front of the shirt is on the table, and place a length of rope along the neckline. Place the rope and the neckline of the shirt between your thumbs and forefingers, and slowly roll the rope and neckline down so that the material wraps around the rope twice. Secure it in place with pins.

To secure the rope in place, you will need to close the loop by hand. Thread your needle and proceed to top-stitch along the base of the loop, located on the inside of the shirt. When you reach the end of the neck, sew in a few knots to prevent the stitches from slipping. Before slipping on the halter top, decide how to finish off the ends of the rope. For a polished look, knot the ends of the rope. For a more natural look, fray the ends slightly and then knot the lines. Slip on your new halter and tie the rope to secure it in place.

Characteristics Values
Starting material T-shirt
Tools required Scissors, chalk pencil, needle, thread, pins, measuring tape, rope, safety pin, ribbon or cord
Sewing required? Yes
Sewing machine required? No
Fabric type Cotton blend that does not fray when cut
Rope length 1 meter

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Cut off the sleeves

To cut off the sleeves, unfold your t-shirt and lay it flat on a table with the front side facing up. Smooth out any creases with your hands and iron the t-shirt if necessary.

Before cutting, use a chalk pencil to draw cut lines. Draw the first line at a 45-degree angle from the right side seam, just below the armpit, to the collar. Draw the second line, mirroring the first, from the left side seam, just below the armpit, to the collar. The lines should be about 5-6 inches apart and will not meet at the neck.

Carefully cut along the chalk lines, removing both sleeves. Cut through both layers of the t-shirt and trim off any remaining fabric from the collar.

Easy Guide to Hemming Tank Top Straps

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Cut the neckline

To cut the neckline, unfold the T-shirt and lay it flat on a table with the front side facing up. Smooth out any creases with your hands and iron the T-shirt if necessary. If you want to cut the neckline freehand, you can simply cut along the collar line. However, if you want to create a more structured halter neckline, you can use a chalk pencil to draw cut lines.

For a halter-style neckline, draw a chalk line at a 45-degree angle from the right side seam, just below the armpit, to the collar. Repeat this on the left side, so that you have two diagonal chalk lines that are roughly 5-6 inches apart and do not meet at the neck. Cut along these lines, through both layers of the T-shirt, and remove the collar.

For a more detailed halter style, fold the front layer of the shirt down and draw a straight line on the inside back layer of the shirt, directly above the fold. Cut along this line to remove the top portion of the back layer.

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Cut the backside

To cut the backside of the t-shirt, you will need to grab a sports bra with a wide, solid racerback strap, or find a racerback tank top. Use this as a stencil by lining up the shoulders of the bra or tank top with the top of your soon-to-be halter tank top. Trace the parts you can, and eyeball the rest.

Using the lines you just drew, lift up the back of the shirt, and cut out the backside of the shirt only. Be careful not to cut through both layers or you will end up with a funny and potentially awkwardly shaped tank top.

Now, take one of the sleeves that you cut off earlier. Cut a 0.5″ – 1″ wide strip of fabric from the sleeve. If you cut it carefully, you should have a loop. Cut that to get one straight piece of fabric. Depending on how far down your back you want the halter to go, you may need two pieces of fabric. Cut both sleeves, just in case.

Now, grab the back of the halter and bunch it together at the spot where you’d like the “racerback” portion to begin. Tie your long strip of fabric in a tight knot, holding the bunched fabric together. Leave a longer end to the tie, as you’re going to wrap this into the shirt to prevent it from unravelling.

Begin winding the long piece of fabric "string" around and down the bunched racerback portion of your halter. As you go, tuck the short end of your string underneath as you go, to hide the excess fabric.

If you get to a point where you’d like to continue, but your string is not long enough, tie another piece on, and keep going!

When you’ve gone as far down the halter 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 untying or unravelling in the wash.

And there you have it! You've successfully cut the backside of your t-shirt and transformed it into a halter tank top.

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Make ties for the back

To make ties for the back of your halter tank top, you will need to cut a 0.5" to 1" wide strip of fabric from the sleeves of the t-shirt. If you cut it carefully, you will have a loop of fabric. Cut this loop to create one straight piece of fabric. Depending on how far down your back you want the ties to go, you may need two pieces of fabric. Cut both sleeves, just in case.

Now, grab the back of your tank top and bunch it together at the spot where you want the "racer back" portion to begin. Tie your long strip of fabric in a tight knot, holding the bunched fabric together. Leave a longer end to the tie, as you will need to wrap this into the shirt to prevent it from unravelling.

Begin winding the long piece of fabric "string" around and down the bunched racer back portion of your tank. As you go, tuck the short end of your string underneath as you go, to hide the excess fabric. If you get to a point where you want to continue, but your string is not long enough, tie another piece on, and keep going!

When you have gone as far down the tank as you would like to go, 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 becoming untied or unravelling in the wash.

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Hem the sleeves and bottom

Hemming is a great way to finish the edges of your halter tank top and give it a more polished look. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to hem the sleeves and bottom:

  • Fold the raw edges of the sleeves and bottom hem inward: Take the cut edges of the sleeves and bottom hem of your tank top and fold them inward, creating a neat fold. This will enclose the raw edge within the fabric, giving it a cleaner finish.
  • Press the folds with an iron: Use an iron to press the folds you just made. This will help set the creases and ensure that the hems lie flat and stay in place.
  • Stitch the folded edges: Using a needle and thread, or a sewing machine, carefully stitch along the folded edges to secure the hems in place. Try to use small, neat stitches that are close to the edge of the fold. If using a sewing machine, consider using a stitch intended for knit fabrics, which looks like a straight stitch with a V-shaped break every few stitches.
  • Tie off the thread ends: Once you've finished stitching, remember to tie off the ends of the threads securely. Trim any excess thread close to the knots to prevent them from unraveling.
  • Try on your halter tank top: After hemming, try on your new halter tank top to see how it fits. If it's still a bit loose or roomy, you can adjust the side seams to cinch it in for a more fitted look.

Remember, hemming is optional, especially if you're going for a more casual or raw-edged look. T-shirt fabric typically doesn't fray, so your halter tank top will still be durable and long-lasting even without hemming.

Frequently asked questions

You will need a T-shirt, a pair of scissors, a washable marker or pen, and a sports bra or racer-back tank top to trace.

First, lay your T-shirt flat on a table and smooth it out, super flat, lining up the seams. Then, cut off the collar and sleeves, removing as little excess fabric as possible. Next, make a straight cut along the imaginary line that connects the bottoms of the sleeve holes. Open this flap and lie it flat. Finally, cut the straps and trim them until they are about three to four inches wide.

It is recommended to use a washable marker or pen to mark the cutting lines on your T-shirt. Additionally, you can use a sports bra or a racer-back tank top as a stencil to create the racer-back design.

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