How to Cut a T-Shirt Into a Crop Top in 4 Super-Cute Ways
Pick up some t-shirts from your thrift store and get ready to turn them into four trendy crop tops! Follow along and I will show you how to cut a t-shirt into a crop top that you’ll love wearing. It’s simple and inexpensive so let’s start.
Tools and materials:
- 4 thrifted t-shirts
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Sewing pins and thread
- Sewing machine
1. Make a ruched V-neck crop top
Measure 35 centimeters (13.78 inches) from the shoulder of a t-shirt to mark the length at which you will crop it. Cut the bottom of the t-shirt off, straight across, at that mark.
Find the midline of your shirt and cut straight down the front of your shirt at the midline, from the neck to the bottom. Also cut off the neckline from your shirt.
Hem the bottom of your crop top.
Fold in and sew the neckline to finish the edge.
Pin together the front center edges of the crop top, with right sides facing together, and sew the center front seam with a 2-centimeter (0.79-inch) seam allowance through which you’ll attach your straps later.
Stitch along both outside edges of the seam allowance.
From the fabric you cut off your shirt, cut two long strips. Then fold each strip in half lengthwise and sew the open edges.
Use a safety pin to thread each strap through one of the center casings, extending the strap out the top and bottom of the casing.
Adjust the straps so that you have enough length at the bottom to pull on them and gather the ruching down the middle of your crop top.
When you are satisfied with the strap length, cut the excess strap off the top, and stitch the top of the straps in place inside the casing.
Adjust the ruching by using the straps to tighten or loosen the gather and then tie off the straps in a bow.
2. Make a backless crop top
Crop your t-shirt at 38 centimeters (14.96 inches) from the shoulder.
Draw the midline down the back of your shirt. Then draw lines 2 centimeters (0.79 inches) in from each side, starting at the bottom and extending up 20 centimeters (7.9 inches).
Draw diagonal lines from the top of the side lines to the point on your midline where you want the backless part of your crop top to start.
Now cut out the backless shape from your crop top.
Hem the bottom of your crop top.
Fold in and pin a casing around the back opening, allowing 1 centimeter (0.39 inches) for inserting the strap.
Snip notches in the seam allowance to help you curve the back opening as you sew the casing.
Sew the open edge of the casing on the wrong side of the crop top.
Cut strips from your leftover fabric and attach them so you end up with one long strip measuring 3 x 200 centimeters (1.2 x 78.7 inches).
Make one long, thin strap by folding both long edges into the middle lengthwise, and then folding the whole strip in half lengthwise.
Pin and sew the strap on the open edge.
Thread your long strap all the way through the back casing and tie the ends of the strap behind your back at the bottom.
3. Make a ruched sleeveless crop top
Cut the sleeves off your t-shirt and crop the length at 38 centimeters (14.96 inches) from the shoulder.
Hem all the sides of the t-shirt, including the neckline if you want it a bit lower.
From your leftover fabric cut two 4-centimeter (1.57-inch) wide strips, the length that you need from under the arm to the bottom of the crop top. You will use these strips to make strap casings on each side.
Sew one strip on the inside of each side of the crop top, stitching down the middle at the side seam, and both side edges.
Make 4 straps (2 for each side) as you did for the previous top, measuring about 20 centimeters (7.87 inches) long each.
Insert a strap into each casing (two on each side) and sew the top of the straps to your crop top.
Tie the straps at the sides to create the ruching.
4. Make a ruched asymmetrical crop top
Following the side seams of the shirt, draw and cut out an asymmetrical pattern, keeping one side seam and a section of shoulder seam intact.
If the original top is loose fitting, cut some fabric from the side as necessary. Sew the open side seam if you cut it.
Hem all sides of the crop top.
Create side strap casings and straps the same way as you did for the ruched sleeveless top. Insert the straps and sew them at the top of the casings.
Tie the straps to create the ruching just like with the other tops.
How to cut a t-shirt into a crop top
That’s it – 4 new crop tops. I hope you’ll leave me a comment to let me know which DIY crop top you made, or, if you made them all, which one you liked best!
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