How to Cut Up T-Shirts

Turn your t-shirt from geeky to cool.

Cut up T-shirts can be trendy and hip, as long as you do it with some finesse in mind. Otherwise you may end up looking like a flashback to that hit 1980s dancing flick or you fell into a paper shredder. You can cut up T-shirts in a stylish and funky way with a few simple steps.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• T-shirt
• Chalk
• Sharp scissors
• Beads (optional)

1. Start with a T-shirt that’s already been washed and dried so it’s already done its shrinking.

2. Try on the T-shirt to figure out what parts need chopping. For cropping and necklines, it’s highly recommended to note the length you want with chalk.

3. Take off the T-shirt, grab your scissors and go, following your chalk lines and starting at the neckline.

4. Go for the sleeves. Cutting off the sleeves entirely will make a nice muscle man, or woman, effect, while rounding them will give the shirt a cutesy look.

5. Finish it off by cropping the bottom and any other areas you wish to chop.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are going for that shredded T-shirt look, it’s best again to sketch out what pieces you want cut so they are evenly placed and not too deep.

• Be frugal. You can always cut more if it’s not short enough, but you can’t really glue pieces back on.

• Use serrated scissors for a primitive effect.

• Create fringe by cutting long, vertical pieces at the shirt’s edges and then adorning with beads.

• If you become unsure during any of the chopping, try on the T-shirt again to see what needs further adjusting.

• Don’t cut up brand new shirts you just received as gifts, at least not in front of the person who gave it to you.