Transforming T-Shirts: Diy Tank Tops For Men

There are two types of tank tops: basic and racerback. If you have an old T-shirt that's too faded or stained to wear, you can turn it into a trendy tank top with just a pair of scissors. You can also use a sewing machine or sew by hand for a neater finish, but it's not necessary as T-shirt fabric does not fray. To make a basic tank top, place a tank top you already own on top of your T-shirt, aligning the shoulders. Pin the tank top to the T-shirt and cut around the armholes and neckline, leaving a seam allowance if you want a finished hem. For a racerback tank top, cut the sleeves off your T-shirt and trim the back of the armholes so that only a few inches of fabric remain between them.

Choose a t-shirt

To turn a T-shirt into a tank top, you'll need to select a T-shirt to cut up and modify. It's important to choose a T-shirt you won't mind cutting up, as you'll be altering it significantly. If you're practicing this method for the first time, consider using an old shirt that you wouldn't mind throwing away if something goes wrong.

The shirt you choose does not need to fit well unless you want a fitted tank top. If you're using a brand-new shirt, it's a good idea to wash and dry it first, as fabric tends to shrink after the first wash. You want the T-shirt to be the right size before you start working on it.

Once you've selected your T-shirt, you'll need to iron it to remove any wrinkles. This step is important, as it will smooth the fabric and make it easier to work with. After ironing, place the T-shirt on a flat surface with the front side facing up.

If you have a tank top that you like the fit of, you can use it as a template. Place the tank top over the T-shirt, aligning the shoulders of both garments. This will help you cut the T-shirt to the correct size and shape. If you don't have a tank top to use as a template, don't worry—you can still create a tank top by following the remaining steps.

Now that you've chosen your T-shirt and prepared your workspace, you're ready to start cutting and creating your new tank top.

Cut the sleeves

To cut the sleeves, start by turning the T-shirt inside out. This will make it easier to cut the sleeves without accidentally cutting into the front or back of the shirt. If you want to be precise, you can mark the cutting line with chalk or a fabric marker.

Using fabric scissors, start cutting from the underarm area, following the seam upwards towards the shoulder. Cut in a straight line, making sure that you are cutting through both the front and back layers of the shirt. You can also cut the sleeves in a curved shape if you prefer, but be careful not to cut into the body of the shirt.

If you want a more raw and edgy look, you can simply cut off the sleeves and leave the armholes as they are. However, if you want a more polished finish, you can create a hem. To do this, fold the raw edge of the armhole inwards by about 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) and secure it with pins. Carefully iron the fold to create a crisp edge.

Finally, stitch along the folded edge. You can do this by hand or using a sewing machine. If using a sewing machine, try to use a stitch intended for knit fabrics, which looks like a straight stitch with a V-shaped break every few stitches. Remember to tie off the thread ends into tight knots and trim any excess threads.

Cut the neckline

To turn a T-shirt into a tank top, you'll need to cut the neckline to shape. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, lay your T-shirt flat on a table, ensuring it is inside out. If you want a fitted tank top, choose a T-shirt that fits you well. Place your tank top template on top of the T-shirt, aligning the shoulders of both garments. Make sure the front sides of both shirts are facing up. Secure the layers with straight pins along the edges of the tank top template.

Now you're ready to cut the neckline. Using the tank top as a guide, cut the T-shirt along the armholes and neckline, adding a 0.5-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance if you want a finished hem. If you don't have a template, you can simply cut the sleeves and collar off your T-shirt, or fold the shirt in half before cutting to ensure both sides are even.

Once you've cut the neckline, remove the pins and put the tank top template aside. At this point, you can try turning the T-shirt right side out to check the fit. If you want a deeper or wider neckline, cut carefully along the edges, remembering to leave a seam allowance if you're adding a hem.

For a neat finish, fold the cut edges down by 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) and secure with pins. Press the folds flat with an iron, making sure to fold outwards, not inwards. You can skip this step if you prefer raw, unhemmed edges, as T-shirt fabric doesn't fray.

Finally, stitch the folded edges using a 0.25-inch (0.64 cm) seam allowance. You can sew by hand or use a sewing machine for more durable stitches. If using a machine, select a stitch intended for knit fabrics. When you're done, tie off the thread ends into tight knots and trim any excess.

Cut the backside

To cut the backside of the T-shirt, follow these steps:

Firstly, decide how low you want the back of your tank top to be. If you want a more conservative cut, follow the natural line of the T-shirt's back, just cutting off the sleeves. For a more revealing look, you can cut down further, creating a deeper armhole.

Next, carefully cut the back of the T-shirt, shaping it into a curve that follows the line of the armhole. You can cut as much or as little off as you like, but ensure you don't cut the front of the shirt by accident. Try to cut the same amount from each side so that the armholes are symmetrical.

If you want to create a racerback style tank top, cut the backside of the shirt into a deep V-shape. Start by finding the centre back of the neckline and cut downwards, keeping the point of the V between the armholes. This will help to prevent the fabric from bunching up when you tie it.

Now, cut the hem off the T-shirt. Use the stitching as a guide, cutting along the bottom hem. You will be left with a large fabric ring. Cut this ring apart, close to one of the side seams, so that you are left with a long fabric strand. This will be used to decorate the back of your tank top.

Finally, tie one end of the fabric strand to the bottom of the V-shape. Measure up a few inches/centimetres from the point of the V and tie the fabric strand around this point. This will gather the fabric between the armholes, creating a decorative rope effect.

Sewing the hems

Preparing the T-shirt

Before you start sewing, you need to prepare the T-shirt. First, turn the T-shirt inside out and place a tank top over it, aligning the shoulders. This will serve as your template to create the tank top shape. Pin the tank top to the T-shirt along the edges to keep it from moving. Using scissors, cut the T-shirt along the tank top's armholes and neckline as a guide. Remember to leave some seam allowance (about 0.5 inches or 1.27 centimetres) if you want a finished hem. Once you're done cutting, carefully unpin the tank top from the T-shirt and set it aside.

Folding and Ironing

The next step is to prepare the edges for sewing. Fold the cut edges down by 0.5 inches (1.27 centimetres) and secure them in place with straight pins. This step ensures that the hem will be of the desired width. Then, press the folded edges flat with an iron. Make sure that you are folding towards the outside of the garment, not the inside. Ironing the folds will create crisp, neat edges and make the fabric easier to work with.

Stitching the Hem

Now it's time to stitch the hem in place. You can sew the hem by hand or use a sewing machine for more durable and professional-looking stitches. If using a sewing machine, select a stitch intended for knit fabrics, which looks like a straight stitch with occasional V-shaped breaks. Stitch along the folded edges, using a 0.25-inch (0.64-centimetre) seam allowance. Remember to tie off the thread ends into tight knots and trim any excess thread tails when you're done sewing.

Finishing Touches

After stitching the hem, remove the pins and turn the tank top right side out. Try on your new tank top to check the fit. If you're happy with the result, you're done! If you prefer a looser or tighter fit, you can adjust the side seams of the tank top accordingly. Remember that T-shirt fabric has some stretch, so it will conform to your body when worn.

Frequently asked questions