How to Cut a Shirt

Co-authored by Daniela Gutierrez-Diaz

Last Updated: June 27, 2024 Fact Checked

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]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Create an Off-the-Shoulder Shirt

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Cut the slit along the collar seam to serve as a visual guide for the rest of your cutting project. ^{[2]
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Doing this will make the neckline curl over.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Cut a Shirt to Bare Your Midriff

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You want to leave just a little extra fabric so the shirt will roll up at your waistline and not high above it.
It's easiest if you place the shirt on a flat surface.
Wear and show off!

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Cut a Shirt to Create a Tank Top or Muscle Top

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Start about 1" (2.5 cm) below the armpit and cut all the way up to the neckline. Don't discard your scrap fabric.
Cut at the seam so that you don't create a one-shoulder effect. ^{[4]
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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]
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- Optional: Wrap your fabric scraps around the pinched area. Tie a knot to secure the fabric and tuck the knot underneath the wrap.
If it reveals too much skin, then wear a bandeau or a tank underneath it.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Cut a Shirt with a Razor

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You can place razor slits across the back of your shirt, for instance.
Place a cutting board between the front and back of your shirt so that you don't cut through both layers.
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.
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Finished!
- Optional: Wash the shirt. The sections that you cut will roll up at the edges to create a punk-ish effect.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Cut a Shirt to Create Tied Sleeves

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This will also give you more slack to for tying in the next step.
This tie will create a cute peep-through effect.
Wear your top with its cute new sleeves.

Community Q&A

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Question

How do I cut a full-sleeve shirt into a trendy look?

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!

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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

Anything that's made of mostly cotton. Often club or promotional t-shirts work well.

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Question

Is it harder to cut with left handers?

Community Answer

It might be a bit harder, but you should still be able to do it.

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Tips

Practice t-shirt cutting first on a junk t-shirt that you don't care about ruining.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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How to Cut a Shirt

Steps

Create an Off-the-Shoulder Shirt

Cut a Shirt to Bare Your Midriff

Cut a Shirt to Create a Tank Top or Muscle Top

Cut a Shirt with a Razor

Cut a Shirt to Create Tied Sleeves

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

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