How to Make a Halter Top

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Make a custom DIY halter top from old clothes—no purchases necessary!

Co-authored by Young Kim

Last Updated: December 16, 2024

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From a T-Shirt

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From a Tank Top

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From a Handkerchief

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From a Skirt

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From a Scarf

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Halter tops are fun, flirty shirts with open backs that tie behind your neck. Instead of purchasing a halter top from a department store, devote an afternoon to creating your own. Recycle your clothes and repurpose your accessories by transforming them into stunning summery tops.

Cutting a T-Shirt into a Halter Top: Quick Steps

Lay the shirt on a flat surface and smooth out all wrinkles.
Draw a cutting line with chalk from just below the armpit seam to the neckline.
Cut along the lines (through both layers of fabric) to remove both sleeves.
Flip the shirt over and cut off the back portion of the collar.
Roll the front of the collar over a decorative rope or chain.
Sew the fabric roll shut to enclose the rope or chain.
Put on the shirt and tie the chain behind your neck to wear the halter.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Transforming a T-shirt into a Halter Top

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1
Prep the t-shirt. Unfold your tee and spread it out on a flat work surface—the front of the shirt should face up towards the ceiling. Smooth out any wrinkles with your hands. If your cotton tee is wrinkly, quickly go over it with an iron.
- Choose a cotton blend that does not fray when cut. This will help your completed halter top to appear less homemade.
2
Prep the tee for cutting. Prior to cutting the t-shirt, it is recommended that you use a chalk pencil to draw the cut lines. Draw 1 chalk line at approximately a 45° angle from the right side seam, just below the armpit, to the collar. Draw a second diagonal chalk line from the left side seam, just below the armpit, to the collar.
- The right and the left lines will not meet at the neck—the lines should be approximately 5 to 6 inches apart.
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Carefully cut along the right chalk line with a pair of fabric scissors. As you cut from the side seam through the collar, you will cut through both layers of the tee. Repeat this process on the other side. To cut off the remaining portion of the collar, carefully cut along the collar line.
Fold the top layer of the shirt down onto itself. With your chalk pencil, draw a straight line on the inside back layer of the shirt. Place the line directly above the fold of the top layer and extend it from side seam to side seam. Cut off the top portion of the back layer along the chalk line.
Unfold the front layer of the shirt. Flip over tee so that the front of the shirt is on the table. Unroll your length of rope and place it along the neckline. Place the rope and the neckline of the cotton tee between your thumbs and forefingers. Slowly roll the rope and neckline down so that the material wraps around the rope twice. Secure it in place with pins.
To secure the rope in place, you will need to close the loop by hand. Thread your needle and proceed to top-stitch along the base of the loop, located on the inside of the shirt. When you reach the end of the neck, sew in a few knots to prevent the stitches from slipping.
Before slipping on the halter top, you must decide how to finish off the ends of the rope. For a polished look, knot the ends of the rope. For a more natural look, fray the ends slightly and then knot the lines. Slip on your new halter and tie the rope to secure it in place.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Transforming a Spaghetti Strap Tank Top into a Halter Top

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To detach the spaghetti straps from the back of the tank, you can use a seam ripper or a pair of scissors. Seam rippers are designed to remove individual stitches. If you choose to use a seam ripper for this project, you will be able to remove the entire strap from the back of the tank top neatly. If you do not have a seam ripper, you may use a pair of scissors to cut the straps off the back of the t-shirt. ^{[1]
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Pull the hardware down to the end of each strap. This will loosen, or lengthen, both straps completely. Use a pair of scissors to cut the small loop as close to the end of the strap as possible. Slide off the hardware. ^{[2]
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Finish the ends of the straps. To prevent the ends from fraying, you may finish the straps in one of two ways.
- Tack down the ends of the straps. Fold over the end of one strap and secure it in place with a pin. Thread a needle and proceed to tack down the end of one strap. Repeat this process on the other strap. This application will leave your halter top looking polished.
- Tie knots at the ends of the straps. To prevent the ends from fraying, tie one to two knots at the end of each strap. Secure the knot in place with a few stitches. This application is simpler. ^{[3]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Transforming a Silk Handkerchief into a Halter Top

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Iron your silk scarf on low to remove any wrinkles. Lay out your scarf so that the right side of the fabric is facing up. Fold the scarf in half diagonally so that it forms a triangle.
Measure 20 centimeters down from the top of the triangle. Mark this distance with a chalk pencil. Place the top edge of a ruler on this mark so that it runs from one edge to the other edge of the scarf. Use your chalk pencil to draw a horizontal line along the top edge of the ruler from one edge to the other. Place four pins along the chalk line to secure the fabric in place. ^{[4]
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Thread your sewing machine or a needle. With your tool of choice, carefully stitch across the chalk line, removing the pins as you reach them. Flip the handkerchief right side out. Press the scarf with an iron set on low. The line of stitches you created in the scarf will now serve as the seam, or neckline.
Measure and mark 2.5 centimeters down from the seam. Place the top edge of a ruler on this mark so that it runs from one edge of the scarf to the other edge. Use your chalk pencil to draw a second line along the top edge of the ruler. Insert pins to hold the fabric in place. With a sewing machine or needle, stitch across the chalk line to form a channel. ^{[5]
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Poke a safety pin through the end of your ribbon or cord. After closing the pin, slide it into the channel. Gradually work the pin through the channel, pulling the ribbon or cord with it. When the safety pin reaches the other end of the channel, adjust the ribbon or cord until it is centered. Remove the safety pin. Tie the ribbon or cord around your neck and the bias edge around your waist. ^{[6]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Transforming a Skirt into a Halter Top

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In order to transform a skirt into a halter top, the garment must meet certain standards. The skirt must fit over your ribcage. The garment must also have side seams—one side seam will become your center seam. Lastly, the skirt your purchase or recycle for this project should be flowy or a-line.
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Envisioning the transformation. Slide the skirt under your arms. Turn the the skirt so that one of the side seams runs down the center of your chest. One strap will be attached to each side of the front seam.
- If the skirt has a side zipper, feature this detail by making it your front seam.
Unravel your ribbon on a flat surface. Measure and cut two lengths of ribbon approximately 1 foot each. Pin the end of one ribbon to the inside of the skirt just right of the center seam. Pin the end of the second ribbon to the inside of the skirt just left of the center seam. Thread a needle and attach each ribbon to the skirt with top stitches.
Step into the skirt and pull it up to your chest. Turn the skirt so that the side seam with the ribbons attached on either side is in front. Tie the ribbons behind your neck.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Transforming a Scarf into a Halter Top

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If you are leery of sewing, you can set aside the needle and thread and create a halter top out of a scarf. Select a scarf from your collection that is large enough to cover your body. Choose a solid, striped, or patterned scarf that expresses your personal style.. ^{[7]
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To begin this quick process, lay the scarf horizontally across your back. Grab the top left corner and the top right corner of the scarf and pull them up towards your neckline. Wrap the corners around each other once or twice. ^{[8]
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Pull the left corner over your right shoulder. Pull the right corner over your left shoulder. Adjust the top and the straps until it feels comfortable. Tie the straps in a knot behind your neck. ^{[9]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

Can I make a halter top out of my old jeans?

Young Kim
Tailor
Young Kim is a Tailor based in Livonia, Michigan. She has been working in the sewing and clothing alteration industry since 1989. After opening her own dry cleaning business, Young discovered her passion for sewing, turning her prowess at tailoring and alterations into a new career. Her high attention to detail, creative visualization skills, and quick ability to pick up technical processes have earned her countless happy clients over the past 35 years. In particular, she specializes in working with special occasion formalwear (wedding dresses, suits, etc.), repairing and mending garments, resizing and redesigning looks, and completing custom fittings. She opened her latest business, Tailoring by Young in 2022.

Young Kim

Tailor

Expert Answer

Of course! First, cut the legs off of your old jeans, then cut all along the inseam to create two distinct panels. One panel will serve as the front, and the other will serve as the back. Now take your front panel and fold it in half length-wise, and cut a V shape at the bottom to create your neckline. Pin the shoulder seam to the back with safety pins or temporary stitches. When the fit is good, pin in the permanent seams. You can also attach embellishments like lace, fringe, or studs to give it some pizzazz!

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