How to Cut a Shirt

Last Updated: May 11, 2022 Tested

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.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Create an Off-the-Shoulder Shirt

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
Use fabric scissors to cut the collar off of the shirt.

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3
Grab the fabric at the shoulder seam and pull it. Doing this will make the neckline curl over.
4
Wear the shirt over a tank top or a camisole.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Cut a Shirt to Bare Your Midriff

1
Get your shirt.
2
Put on the shirt that you want to cut.
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
Mark the measurement on your shirt using a fabric marker or a piece of chalk.
5
Cut the shirt straight across using sharp fabric scissors. It's easiest if you place the shirt on a flat surface.
6
Pull the edges of the shirt so that the fabric will curl over.
7
Finished! Wear and show off!

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Cut a Shirt to Create a Tank Top or Muscle Top

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
Trim off the neckline if you wish. Cut at the seam so that you don't create a one-shoulder effect.
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.
- Optional: Wrap your fabric scraps around the pinched area. Tie a knot to secure the fabric and tuck the knot underneath the wrap.
4
Wear the shirt on its own. 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

1
Choose a tight-fitting t-shirt for the best effect.
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
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
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
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

1
Cut the hem off of both your T-shirt sleeves using sharp fabric scissors.
2
Use fabric scissors to cut a slit in the sleeves from the bottom to the shoulder seam.
3
Pull the edges, so they curl over. This will also give you more slack to for tying in the next step.
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
Done! Wear your top with its cute new sleeves.

Community Q&A

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!
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.
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.

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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