How to Make a Halter Top From an Old T-Shirt

Transforming a T-shirt it into a halter top can be done in a few steps

Repurpose and recycle an old garment such as a T-shirt and transform it into a halter top. By implementing simple pattern-making skills the T-shirt is deconstructed into a form-fitting silhouette. Trims like a beaded fringe hem or silk screen adds dimension. The T-shirt is divided into an upper yoke and tubular bottom section. By splitting the T-shirt along the bust-line, the upper yoke is cut into the halter pattern. Removing excess side seam fabric from the bottom section contours the shape, converting the T-shirt into the halter top silhouette.

Things You'll Need

• Flexible tape measure
• T-square ruler
• Tailor's chalk
• Clear graph ruler
• Straight pins
• Fabric scissors
• Pattern paper
• Drafting pencils
• Felt-tip marker
• French curve ruler
• Paper scissors
• Dress form
• Hand sewing needle
• Serger or overlock machine

Instructions

Deconstructing the T-shirt

1. Position a flexible tape measure below your bust line. Measure the length from the bust line to the bottom hem. This measurement is the tubular bottom section's length.

2. Lay your T-shirt on a flat work surface. Mark the bust-line with your tailor's chalk by aligning the "T" portion of your T-square ruler horizontally along the bottom hem. Use the specification from Step 1 to mark your bust line.

3. Position a clear graph ruler horizontally on your T-shirt ½ inch above the bust line marking from step 2. The ½ inch is your seam allowance. Mark the bust line from side seam to side seam with your tailor's chalk. This is your cutting line, which includes your seam allowance.

4. Pin the front and back T-shirt together with straight pins. Make sure the front and back bottom hems are aligned. The pins will prevent the fabric from shifting while cutting.

5. Cut across the bust line with your fabric scissors. You will have an upper yoke and bottom tubular shape.

6. Cut away the sleeves from the upper yoke along the armhole.

7. Place the upper yoke on pattern paper. Draw a rough outline of the upper yoke with your drafting pencils. You will use this rough outline as a base to draft the upper yoke halter pattern.

8. Measure the width of your T-shirt's shoulder seam with the clear graph ruler. Draw the seam with a felt-tip marker to use as a guide for the halter's neck tie width. Generally a size medium T-shirt has a 7 to 8 inch shoulder width depending on the shirt's silhouette.

9. Mark the width of your halter's neck ties. For example, if your shoulder seam measures 7 inches mark 2 ½ inches at the shoulder seam's midpoint for the neck ties width. Keep in mind, these ties will sit at the nape of the neck and if the ties are too wide, it will be uncomfortable to wear.

10. Make a half "U" shape from the neck tie seam to the armhole with your French curve ruler on your pattern. Make a second half "U" shape 2 ½-inches from the neck tie seam to the side seam. There generally is a distance of 8 to 10 inches between the armhole and side seam marking. Draw a straight vertical line to connect the two ends. The vertical line connection is your bust seam. The pattern will resemble a half "U."

11. Cut out the pattern with your paper scissors. Pin it to the upper yoke. Cut out the fabric with fabric scissors.

Making the Halter Top

1. Pin one piece of your "U" shape fabric piece along the bust seam from the bottom tube section made in section 1, step 5. Pin the next section by slightly overlapping the front. If you prefer cleavage within the halter shape, adjust the overlap to your liking.

2. Try on the halter top carefully. If the upper yoke does not fit properly, take off the halter top and place it on your dress form to make any necessary adjustments. For instance, if there is excess fabric at the bust, remove the pins along the bust seam and add a basting stitch with a hand sewing needle along each bust seam. Slightly pull the thread and gather the excess fabric. Re-pin the gathered bust seams to the bottom section. You will need to try on your adjusted halter top again prior to stitching.

3. Place your halter top on your dress form once again. Shape the tubular bottom section by pinning the excess fabric at each side seam. Mark the contoured side seams with your tailor's chalk and cut away the excess fabric.

4. Serge the bust seams to the tubular bottom section along the bust line to construct the halter top with a serger or overlock machine. Serge the contoured side seams as well.

5. Turn back the raw edges around the halter neck ties as well as the tubular shape and lightly iron. Machine stitch the hem using a double needle for a clean hem finish. Cut away any loose threads.

Tips & Warnings

• Cutting the upper yoke "U" shape naturally produces a soft drape. The "U" shape ensures the pattern is cut on the bias.

References

• "99 Ways to Cut, Sew, Trim & Tie Your T-Shirt Into Something Special;" Faith and Justina Blakeney, Anka Livakovic, Ellen Schultz; 2006