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Altering T Shirts
How to Make a DIY Sleeveless T-Shirt Download Article Cut the perfect tank top to wear outside, in the house, or at the gym Explore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Roll the sleeves inside to test the look. 2 Decide how far to cut the sleeves. 3 Mark out your cut. 4 Cut along the mark you made. 5 Hem the edges if you’d like to. 6 Add additional cuts for a distressed look. + Show 3 more... - Show less... Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Paul Julch, MA and Cheyenne Main
Last Updated: February 13, 2025 Fact Checked
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This article was co-authored by Paul Julch, MA and by wikiHow staff writer, Cheyenne Main. Paul Julch is a Personal Wardrobe Stylist, Speaker, and the founder of Urbanite | Suburbanite, a wardrobe styling business in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 25 years in the fashion industry, Paul works with clients to make getting dressed easier, less time consuming, and more enjoyable. Paul has years of experience in retail visual merchandising - styling windows, displays, and floor sets for Banana Republic, Gap, and Express. He also has experience styling fashion photo shoots and corporate videos. Paul holds a BS Degree in Management from State University of New York at Binghamton, an MA in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University. He also studied Interior Design at the University of California, Berkeley. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. 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 590,331 times.
When summer comes, there’s nothing quite as comfortable as a sleeveless T-shirt. Whether you’re trying to turn one of your T-shirts into a muscle top, a sleeveless crop top, or a cool subtle tank top, we’ve got all you need to quickly (and fashionably) transform it. Keep reading to learn how to mark, cut, and hem your T-shirt in minutes.
Cutting the Sleeves off a T-Shirt
Roll the sleeves up or tuck them into the seam to see how the sleeveless shirt looks. Leave the seam in for a sturdier edge, or cut it out for a bigger, looser armhole. Mark your cut around the sleeve with chalk or an erasable pen. Pull the fabric tight and cut along the marks in an even line around the sleeve.
Steps
1
Roll the sleeves inside to test the look.
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See if you like the sleeveless look before you start cutting. Roll up the sleeves as high as you can, or tuck them into the shirt around the seam to see if it looks good as a sleeveless T-shirt. Optionally, place sewing pins in the sleeves and put the T-shirt on to see if you like where they sit on your shoulders.
If you’re planning on cropping the shirt, roll the bottom of the hem up inside to see where you’d like it to lay.
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Decide how far to cut the sleeves.
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You can either cut the seam out of the sleeves or leave it in. Leaving the seam intact will keep your finished T-shirt from unraveling or looking shabby. It will also make a smaller armhole. Cutting out the seam with the sleeve gives a more casual, halter-top look, and because the hole is larger, it can make the shirt a little more comfortable, too.[1]XResearch source
For a baggy T-shirt, keeping the seam on the shirt might be a good approach.
If you want to turn your T-shirt into a muscle shirt, plan to cut the seams out.[2]XResearch source
To make cap sleeves, mark a line from the bottom of the sleeve straight up, with the top of the line about 2 in (5.1 cm) out from the seam.[3]XResearch source
3
Mark out your cut.
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Lay the T-shirt out on a flat surface and outline your desired cut. If you’re cutting out the seam, mark a line 1 in (2.5 cm) in from the seam with chalk or an erasable pen. Curve around the seam so that the line ends at a right angle about 1 in (2.5 cm) under the sleeve.[4]XResearch source To keep the seam, make a line about 1⁄4 in (0.64 cm) from the outside of the seam.[5]XResearch source
If you want to keep the seam without hemming the edge, make the line 1⁄8 in (0.32 cm) from the outside of the seam.
Optionally, pin both sides of the seam on each sleeve together to make sure they stay even when you start cutting.
If you want to crop the shirt, mark a line straight across the bottom where you’d like the hem to lay.[6]XResearch source
Try not to mark a straight diagonal line from the top of the shoulder down to the side of the shirt. This can create a very large armhole that changes the shape of the shirt.[7]XResearch source
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Cut along the mark you made.
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Hold the fabric taut and carefully cut the sleeve off. Pull the fabric tight around the marked area as you cut. Follow the marks you made in the last step in an even line around the sleeve. Cut as smoothly as you can without stopping to make your cut clean.
Cut along any additional marks you made along the bottom of the shirt, too.
For a more jagged punk look, cut around the bottom of the neckline on both sides of the T-shirt.[8]XResearch source
Repeat on the other sleeve. Alternatively, fold the T-shirt in half before you cut the sleeves off for a more even cut on both sides.[9]XResearch source
The leftover sleeves can be used as headbands, rags, or mini handbags or you can cut them into squares and use them for quilts or other sewing projects.
5
Hem the edges if you’d like to.
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Fold the edge of the sleeve inside the shirt and stitch it in place. To prevent the sleeves of your shirt from curling in or fraying, fold the edge of the fabric 1⁄4 in (0.64 cm) inside the sleeve and pin it down. With a sewing machine or by hand, sew 2 straight lines next to each other around the ends of both sleeves to attach the hem.[10]XResearch source
If you cropped your shirt, do the same along the bottom to prevent it from rolling up.
You can also gently stretch out the sleeves (and any other part of the shirt you cut) to smooth the edges and help prevent the threads from unraveling.[11]XResearch source
Advertisement 6
Add additional cuts for a distressed look.
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Cut holes into the fabric with scissors or a box cutter. To make your shirt look distressed and worn-in, hold a pair of scissors open or use a box cutter to create small sporadic cuts in the hem and on the front and back of your shirt. To make slightly larger holes, pinch the fabric and cut straight into the fold. Stretch the hole out a little bit with your fingers to prevent fraying.[12]XResearch source
For a more punk look, stick safety pins over any distressed holes you made.
Anna Wintour, Editor-in-Chief, Vogue Magazine
Don't be afraid to push boundaries. "One doesn't want fashion to look ridiculous, silly, or out of step with the times – but you do want designers that make you think, that make you look at fashion differently. That's how fashion changes. If it doesn't change, it's not looking forward. And that's important to me."
Community Q&A
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Question How do I cut off the sleeves on a v-neck shirt? T. Chinsen Top Answerer Follw the instructions in the article. A sleeveless top with a comfortable armhole fit can be used as a template. Pin to the garment to be adjusted and use dressmaker's chalk to mark the armhole outline. 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 8
Question How do I cut a larger arm hole without creating a gap in the fabric of the hole where the breast is? PhoebeAmelia24 Community Answer Cut downwards and not forwards. If you cut forwards, it will leave a gap and expose the breast area. 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 13 Helpful 11
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Tips
If the shirt is baggy, mark with chalk where the cut will look best. With baggy shirts, it is usually an inch away from the seam, towards the collar. That cloth usually curls inwards. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
Cutting sleeves in half rather than all the way off will cause the cloth to curl over outwards. This may or may not be a desirable look. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
Keep a clean hem by stretching the sleeve from the body of the T-shirt, and using a hobby knife, cut the threads on the hem. The sleeve will be able to pull right off after cutting the threads a few times in different spots along the seam line. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 2
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Things You'll Need
Scissors
T-shirt
Sewing pins (optional)
Box cutter (optional)
Tailor’s chalk or an erasable pen
Sewing needle and thread or sewing machine
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Co-authored by: Paul Julch, MA Personal Wardrobe Stylist This article was co-authored by Paul Julch, MA and by wikiHow staff writer, Cheyenne Main. Paul Julch is a Personal Wardrobe Stylist, Speaker, and the founder of Urbanite | Suburbanite, a wardrobe styling business in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 25 years in the fashion industry, Paul works with clients to make getting dressed easier, less time consuming, and more enjoyable. Paul has years of experience in retail visual merchandising - styling windows, displays, and floor sets for Banana Republic, Gap, and Express. He also has experience styling fashion photo shoots and corporate videos. Paul holds a BS Degree in Management from State University of New York at Binghamton, an MA in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University. He also studied Interior Design at the University of California, Berkeley. This article has been viewed 590,331 times. 1 votes - 100% Co-authors: 26Updated: February 13, 2025 Views: 590,331 Categories: Altering T ShirtsArticle SummaryX
To make a sleeveless t-shirt from an unused t-shirt, start by laying the shirt out on a flat surface. Then, use scissors to cut along the seam between each sleeve and the rest of the shirt. If you're going for a casual look, cut the seams off with the sleeves. Alternatively, if you want a neater finish, leave the seams intact when you cut the sleeves off. Finally, once the sleeves are off, try on the shirt to make sure the armholes are even. For ideas on how to reuse your t-shirt sleeves after you cut them off, scroll down!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reader Success Stories
Ava Young
Aug 23, 2021
"I cut my sleeves off due to the sleeves being too short/tight. As a sleeveless shirt it fits much better."
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Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Paul Julch, MA Personal Wardrobe Stylist Co-authors: 26Updated: February 13, 2025 Views: 590,331100% of readers found this article helpful. 1 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote
Ava Young
Aug 23, 2021
"I cut my sleeves off due to the sleeves being too short/tight. As a sleeveless shirt it fits much better." Share yours!
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Altering T Shirts
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Download Article Cut the perfect tank top to wear outside, in the house, or at the gym Explore this Article IN THIS ARTICLE 1 Roll the sleeves inside to test the look. 2 Decide how far to cut the sleeves. 3 Mark out your cut. 4 Cut along the mark you made. 5 Hem the edges if you’d like to. 6 Add additional cuts for a distressed look. + Show 3 more... - Show less... Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Paul Julch, MA and Cheyenne Main 
How toCut a Shirt Into a Crop Top 
How toCut Hoodie Sleeves 
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Co-authored by: Paul Julch, MA Personal Wardrobe Stylist This article was co-authored by Paul Julch, MA and by wikiHow staff writer, Cheyenne Main. Paul Julch is a Personal Wardrobe Stylist, Speaker, and the founder of Urbanite | Suburbanite, a wardrobe styling business in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 25 years in the fashion industry, Paul works with clients to make getting dressed easier, less time consuming, and more enjoyable. Paul has years of experience in retail visual merchandising - styling windows, displays, and floor sets for Banana Republic, Gap, and Express. He also has experience styling fashion photo shoots and corporate videos. Paul holds a BS Degree in Management from State University of New York at Binghamton, an MA in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University. He also studied Interior Design at the University of California, Berkeley. This article has been viewed 590,331 times. 1 votes - 100% Co-authors: 26 Updated: February 13, 2025 Views: 590,331 Categories: Altering T Shirts Article SummaryX
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See if you like the sleeveless look before you start cutting. Roll up the sleeves as high as you can, or tuck them into the shirt around the seam to see if it looks good as a sleeveless T-shirt. Optionally, place sewing pins in the sleeves and put the T-shirt on to see if you like where they sit on your shoulders. 
Cut holes into the fabric with scissors or a box cutter. To make your shirt look distressed and worn-in, hold a pair of scissors open or use a box cutter to create small sporadic cuts in the hem and on the front and back of your shirt. To make slightly larger holes, pinch the fabric and cut straight into the fold. Stretch the hole out a little bit with your fingers to prevent fraying.[12] 
Anna Wintour, Editor-in-Chief, Vogue Magazine 
T. Chinsen Top Answerer Follw the instructions in the article. A sleeveless top with a comfortable armhole fit can be used as a template. Pin to the garment to be adjusted and use dressmaker's chalk to mark the armhole outline. 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 8 
PhoebeAmelia24 Community Answer Cut downwards and not forwards. If you cut forwards, it will leave a gap and expose the breast area. 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 13 Helpful 11 
Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy.