How to Make a Singlet Out of a T-Shirt

A T-shirt can be turned into a variety of singlet styles.

Sprucing up old T-shirts and turning them into singlets, or sleeveless tank tops, is not only fun, it's easy and a great way to get a second life out of a T-shirt. If you're after a rock 'n' roll feel, you can simply hack off the arms of a T-shirt to turn it into a tank top singlet. For those wanting a more finished look, a little more effort is required and some savvy knowledge on a sewing machine comes in handy.

Things You'll Need

• T-shirt
• Unpicker or seam ripper
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Pencil or tailor's chalk

Instructions

Tank Top Singlet

1. Remove the sleeves from the T-shirt with an unpicker. If you want wide straps on the tank top singlet, you can leave the width of the shoulders on the T-shirt, otherwise trim the width to 1/2 inch more than the desired width of the straps.

2. Fold over a double 1/4-inch seam around the arm holes, pinning in place as you go.

3. Sew a double flat stitch all around the arm holes. Remove the pins as you sew to create a fast and simple tank top singlet.

Strappy Singlet

1. Mark the desired depth of the neck of the singlet at the back and front of the T-shirt neck with a pencil or tailor's chalk. Mark a second line 1/2 inch in from the first for a seam allowance.

2. Remove the arms of the T-shirt with an unpicker. Mark the desired width of the singlet straps with a pencil or chalk, adding a seam allowance to the outside of the line.

3. Cut along the seam allowance lines with scissors. Fold over a double 1/4-inch seam on the back and front of the neck and the straps. Pin in place.

4. Sew a double flat stitch along all the pinned seams. Remove each pin before you sew over the pinned area.

Tips & Warnings

• Use scraps of the T-shirt fabric to wrap the straps of the singlet, instead of sewing the straps.

• For a halter-neck singlet, cut around the neck of the T-shirt, leaving the neck in place like a collar. Cut off the back to where the armholes start and cut off the arms leaving the front attached to the neck.

References

• Ottobred Design: Sleeveless Tank Top