5 Ways To Cut A Shirt - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Cut a Shirt PDF download Download Article Explore this Article methods 1 Create an Off-the-Shoulder Shirt 2 Cut a Shirt to Bare Your Midriff 3 Create a Tank Top or Muscle Top 4 Cut a Shirt with a Razor 5 Cut a Shirt to Create Tied Sleeves + Show 2 more... - Show less... Other Sections Questions & Answers VideoWATCH NOW Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Daniela Gutierrez-Diaz

Last Updated: April 21, 2025 Fact Checked

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This article was co-authored by Daniela Gutierrez-Diaz. Daniela Gutierrez-Diaz is a professional pattern maker and clothing designer at DGpatterns in Vancouver, Canada. With over 5 years of experience, Daniela creates modern and unique silhouettes that are suitable for a busy everyday life. Her blog, On the Cutting Floor, contains sewing tips and PDF sewing patterns for a variety of projects and designs. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 849,854 times.

Learning how to cut a shirt will give you a trendy way to modernize a bland t-shirt collection. Many stores sell shirts that are pre-cut, and many of them are expensive. This article will teach you ways to cut a shirt to make it more fashionable for minimal cost.[1]

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 5:

Create an Off-the-Shoulder Shirt

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  1. Step 1 Cut a slit into the shirt on either side of the collar using some sharp fabric scissors. 1 Cut a slit into the shirt on either side of the collar using some sharp fabric scissors. Cut the slit along the collar seam to serve as a visual guide for the rest of your cutting project.[2]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cut a Shirt 2 Use fabric scissors to cut the collar off of the shirt.[3] Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cut a Shirt 3 Grab the fabric at the shoulder seam and pull it. Doing this will make the neckline curl over.
  4. Step 4 Wear the shirt over a tank top or a camisole. 4 Wear the shirt over a tank top or a camisole.
    5. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 5:

Cut a Shirt to Bare Your Midriff

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  1. Step 1 Get your shirt. 1 Get your shirt.
  2. Step 2 Put on the shirt that you want to cut. 2 Put on the shirt that you want to cut.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cut a Shirt 3 Measure the distance from the shoulder seam to just past your waistline using a vinyl tape measure. You want to leave just a little extra fabric so the shirt will roll up at your waistline and not high above it.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cut a Shirt 4 Mark the measurement on your shirt using a fabric marker or a piece of chalk.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Cut a Shirt 5 Cut the shirt straight across using sharp fabric scissors. It's easiest if you place the shirt on a flat surface.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Cut a Shirt 6 Pull the edges of the shirt so that the fabric will curl over.
  7. Step 7 Finished! 7 Finished! Wear and show off!
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Method 3 Method 3 of 5:

Create a Tank Top or Muscle Top

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cut a Shirt 1 Cut off the sleeves. Start about 1" (2.5 cm) below the armpit and cut all the way up to the neckline. Don't discard your scrap fabric.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cut a Shirt 2 Trim off the neckline if you wish. Cut at the seam so that you don't create a one-shoulder effect.[4]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cut a Shirt 3 Pull the edges, so they curl over nicely.
    • Optional: Lay the shirt face down on a flat surface. Pinch the fabric together at the base of the armpits.[5]
    • Optional: Wrap your fabric scraps around the pinched area. Tie a knot to secure the fabric and tuck the knot underneath the wrap.
  4. Step 4 Wear the shirt on its own. 4 Wear the shirt on its own. If it reveals too much skin, then wear a bandeau or a tank underneath it.
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Method 4 Method 4 of 5:

Cut a Shirt with a Razor

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  1. Step 1 Choose a tight-fitting t-shirt for the best effect. 1 Choose a tight-fitting t-shirt for the best effect.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cut a Shirt 2 Select the area of your body that you want to expose. You can place razor slits across the back of your shirt, for instance.
  3. Step 3 Lay your shirt on a flat surface. 3 Lay your shirt on a flat surface. Place a cutting board between the front and back of your shirt so that you don't cut through both layers.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cut a Shirt 4 Cut parallel horizontal lines in your shirt using a razor blade or a utility knife. You can cut lines of equal length, or you can cut a long line at the top and cut continuously shorter lines in sequence for a triangular effect.
  5. Step 5 Finished! 5 Finished!
    • Optional: Wash the shirt. The sections that you cut will roll up at the edges to create a punk-ish effect.
    6. Advertisement
Method 5 Method 5 of 5:

Cut a Shirt to Create Tied Sleeves

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cut a Shirt 1 Cut the hem off of both your T-shirt sleeves using sharp fabric scissors.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cut a Shirt 2 Use fabric scissors to cut a slit in the sleeves from the bottom to the shoulder seam.
  3. Step 3 Pull the edges, so they curl over. 3 Pull the edges, so they curl over. This will also give you more slack to for tying in the next step.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cut a Shirt 4 Tie the loose edges of the fabric together at the base of the slit. This tie will create a cute peep-through effect.
  5. Step 5 Done! 5 Done! Wear your top with its cute new sleeves.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question How do I cut a full-sleeve shirt into a trendy look? Priyanka Butola Priyanka Butola Community Answer To get a trendy look you should cut those sleeves in equal or unequal sections as per your wish. Or you can cut the sleeves off and cut the neck portion in any design (round neck, deep neck, etc.). There are lots of possibilities, just do what you think looks good! Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 8 Helpful 21
  • Question How do I choose a shirt to make a muscle shirt? I want to make one, but I don't know what type of shirt would look good. Community Answer Community Answer Anything that's made of mostly cotton. Often club or promotional t-shirts work well. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 12
  • Question Is it harder to cut with left handers? Community Answer Community Answer It might be a bit harder, but you should still be able to do it. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 4
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Tips

  • Practice t-shirt cutting first on a junk t-shirt that you don't care about ruining. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
  • Your options for cutting a shirt are only as limited as your imagination. You can remove both shoulders, for instance, or cut a fringed design and knot it with colored string. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Stock up on t-shirts in a variety of colors and fits on the cheap by shopping at second-hand stores. Remember that you will be cutting them anyway, so even a little stain here or there is no big deal. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • You can always cut more, but you can never un-cut. Do not cut a shirt until you know exactly what you want to do with it. Thanks Helpful 79 Not Helpful 20
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Things You'll Need

  • T-shirt
  • Fabric scissors
  • Razor blade or utility knife
  • Fabric marker or chalk

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i4I8Puc2Y4
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i4I8Puc2Y4
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i4I8Puc2Y4
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i4I8Puc2Y4
  5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i4I8Puc2Y4
  6. Transform a Boring T Shirt into a Cute Off-the-Shoulder Top
  7. How to Cut an Oversized T-Shirt
  8. How to Cut a T-Shirt - 4 Modern Styles

About This Article

Daniela Gutierrez-Diaz Co-authored by: Daniela Gutierrez-Diaz Clothing Designer This article was co-authored by Daniela Gutierrez-Diaz. Daniela Gutierrez-Diaz is a professional pattern maker and clothing designer at DGpatterns in Vancouver, Canada. With over 5 years of experience, Daniela creates modern and unique silhouettes that are suitable for a busy everyday life. Her blog, On the Cutting Floor, contains sewing tips and PDF sewing patterns for a variety of projects and designs. This article has been viewed 849,854 times. 17 votes - 86% Co-authors: 23 Updated: April 21, 2025 Views: 849,854 Categories: Altering T Shirts Article SummaryX

To cut a shirt so it's a crop top, put your shirt on and measure the distance from your shoulder to just past your waistline. After you chalk your measurements, take the shirt off and cut straight across using sharp fabric scissors. If you want to create a tank top or a muscle top instead, cut the sleeves off. Start by cutting about 1 inch below the armpit and continue all the way up to the neckline. If the opening is too large, consider wearing a tank underneath your new shirt. For further instructions on how to create an off-the-shoulder shirt or a shirt with tied sleeves, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Anonymous

    Anonymous

    Oct 21, 2017

    "I had to cut the sleeves higher because the shirt was too small for me, but otherwise the pattern worked great!"
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Daniela Gutierrez-Diaz Co-authored by: Daniela Gutierrez-Diaz Clothing Designer Co-authors: 23 Updated: April 21, 2025 Views: 849,854 86% of readers found this article helpful. 17 votes - 86% Click a star to add your vote Anonymous

Anonymous

Oct 21, 2017

"I had to cut the sleeves higher because the shirt was too small for me, but otherwise the pattern worked great!" Gwen Ferta

Gwen Ferta

Aug 22, 2018

"These articles are great for me for learning everything. I only have to use one search tool, brilliant!" Anonymous

Anonymous

Jun 18, 2017

"All the images and minimal instruction make it an underwhelming experience, in a good way." Anonymous

Anonymous

Oct 2, 2017

"This article was so much easier to follow. I love the step-by-step detail." Joycelyn Johnson

Joycelyn Johnson

May 25, 2019

"This article help me a lot because I got the look I was looking for." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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