DIY Crop Top in 2 Ways

Rosa Padilla
by Rosa Padilla
7 Materials
$7
90 Minutes
Medium


Sometimes a t-shirt is more than it seems. There is so much potential in a simple piece of clothing and I wanted to show you guys how I transform old pieces into new statements. This easy DIY crop top is the perfect answer to all your thrift flip needs.

Tools and materials:

  • T-shirt
  • Pencil
  • Measuring tape
  • Pins
  • Scissors
  • Sewing machine
  • Floral button-down
Make a DIY crop top


Sew a DIY crop top

Adjust the size 

Lay the t-shirt out flat and cut off the top (from under the armpits). Flip the t-shirt inside out and mark off your measurements. I needed to remove half an inch from either side, so I grabbed a measuring tape, marked off where I needed to stitch, and pinned. I sewed the sides and cut off the excess fabric. Once that’s done, fold the top over, wrong sides together to hide the raw edges. 

How to make a DIY crop top

Add tunnels 

From the top part of the shirt that we cut off, cut out two strips of fabric that are 13 inches long and half an inch tall. Draw a line down the center of both. Pin the strips to the shirt (by each hem) and then pin along the line and sew along with the pinned areas. Pin on either side of the strip as well until you have three lines of stitching or two tunnels in each strip. Repeat on the second side. 

How to sew a DIY crop top

Add the strings 

Cut out four more strips of fabric that are each an inch tall and then pull on those pieces to stretch them out. Separate the four pieces into two and then connect them by the edge so you’re left with two long pieces. Sew the strips to the side of the shirt and then weave them through the tunnels we just made. This will leave you with a gathered look. Tie a bow at the bottom and repeat the process for the second tunnel. 

DIY crop top tutorial

Cut the blouse 

For the floral top, start the same way we did with the string top. Lay the blouse down flat and cut off the top from under the armpits. Next, use your measuring tape to mark off the area around the buttons that is two inches wide. Once that’s removed, open the top up and fold the top and side edges inwards to get rid of the raw edge. Pin and sew.

Easy DIY crop top

Make the straps 

Cut open the sleeve and lay it flat. Measure out two 15 inch long and 1.5 inch wide strips and cut them out. Fold them over, wrong sides touching and pin. Sew along the edge then turn them right side out. Pin the straps to the top edges, pin, and sew. 

Add the loops

Cut off the bottom edge of the top so that it’s in one even line. Fold the bottom inwards (wrong sides together) pin and sew. Next, cut out thin strips from the sleeve and fold them over, wrong sides together. Cut them into small pieces and fold them over to create loops. Attach these to both edges of the opening. 

Finish the shirt 

Cut out six more strips of fabric and sew them together to create one long strip. Fold it in half, wrong sides together, and sew. Then turn the string right side out. Weave the string through the loops on the back of the shirt and tie a bow to finish. 


Both of these shirts turned out exactly how I wanted! They are fun, easy, and make me fall in love with old pieces all over again. This tutorial teaches you how to sew a DIY crop top in more than one way! 



Suggested materials:
  • T-shirt
  • Pencil
  • Measuring tape
See all materials

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