How to Cut an Oversized Shirt Into a Tank Top

Make your own tank tops out of oversized T-shirts.

Many women use tank tops as undershirts or the bottom of a layered look. You can create your own chic-looking tank tops using oversized T-shirts. Since T-shirt material doesn't fray, this project does not require any hemming or sewing and can be accomplished in about 15 minutes. Purchase new T-shirts or use a few of your old favorites.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Ruler

Instructions

1. Turn the T-shirt inside out. Place one hand inside a sleeve and hold it open. Cut off the sleeve following the seam. Repeat this step with the T-shirt's other sleeve.

2. Put the T-shirt on while it is still inside out. Mark how low of a neckline you want the T-shirt to have and how long you want the T-shirt to be on you. Most tank tops have lower necklines than T-shirts and fall about level with the hips. Take the T-shirt off.

3. Lay the T-shirt on a flat work surface while it is still inside out. Sketch the neckline onto the T-shirt using a light pencil line. Keep in mind how thick you want the tank top's straps to be while you draw the neckline.

4. Place your hand inside the T-shirt's neck hole. Cut off the hem, following the seam. Lay the T-shirt back down on the flat work surface. Cut the neckline by following the sketch you did in Step 3.

5. Draw a straight line across the T-shirt's bottom, using a ruler as a straight edge. This will mark what will be the tank top's new length. Flip the T-shirt over and do the same thing on the other side.

6. Open the T-shirt and cut along the lines you just drew. If you want the tank top to have a sloped bottom edge, with the sides slightly longer than the middle or with one side longer than the other side, draw a U-shape or a diagonal line instead of a straight line.

7. Turn the tank top right-side out. Try the tank top on. Make any necessary adjustments.

Tips & Warnings

• These instructions work with either long- or short-sleeved shirts.