3 Adorable DIY Crop Tops You Can Make Out of Old Clothes
In this tutorial, I'll show you how to make DIY crop tops out of your old clothes. When I was in lockdown this past winter, I went through all my clothes. It was gray, dreary, and depressing, so I cheered myself up by repurposing and upcycling clothes for the summer.
I took items that didn’t fit me well or I was tired of, and I’m super proud of the results! I upcycled a dress, a hoodie, and a skirt into 3 adorable summer crop tops! I’ll show you what I did and hopefully, that inspires you to make your own DIY cute crop tops! Let’s get started!
Tools and materials:
- Old clothing to upcycle: dress, hoodie, skirt
- Sewing machine
- Needle and thread
- Scissors
- Marking chalk
- Measuring tape
- Paper for pattern
- Pen
- Iron
DIY crop top 1 - Dress to crop top
This slip dress is pretty but the fit was unflattering to say the least. Honestly, the hardest part was figuring out how long I wanted the top to be.
1. Measure the top
Put the dress on to see which length works best. I made a mark to know where to cut.
2. Cut
Lay the dress on a flat surface, mark it all around so the cut is straight, and cut.
3. Sew the hem
I did a roll hem to the entire bottom and my top is ready! This took me less than half an hour and is so beautiful!
DIY crop top 2 - Hoodie to a crop top
This hoodie’s color and pattern is so pretty but it was so uncomfortable I hardly ever wore it. I decided to make it into a crop top.
1. Take measurements
I took my measurements from my neckline down to just below my rib cage (my favorite crop top length), across a portion of the top of my chest, the front of my waist, and my oblique area on the side.
The design looks like this. You’ll need 2 ties. I transferred the measurements and made a pattern with a ½-inch seam allowance.
2. Cut the hoodie
Place the paper pattern onto the fabric with pins. Then, cut my hoodie following the pattern.
3. Make ties
For the ties, I used the sleeves. Cut the sleeves open along the seam.
I used the hoodie drawstring as well. Remove the string from the hoodie and sew the two strings together to make one long string.
4. Sew the crop top
First, I cleaned up all the raw edges with a zigzag stitch. Then, I roll hemmed the front piece.
I folded the front’s top edge to create a tunnel for the string and sewed it down with a straight stitch.
I pinned the tie pieces right sides together all the way around, leaving one side open.
I ironed the tie piece, right sides facing together.
Then, I sewed the tie pieces to the front piece.
Once I sewed all the pieces together, I realized the fit was too loose, so I decided to sew some darts.
Look how cute this is! I will definitely wear this!
DIY crop top 3 - Skirt into a crop top
I used to wear this skirt a lot but I was getting tired of it. I thought about making it into a cropped halter top. The fabric is a bit see-through, so I’m doubling up the fabric.
1. Take measurements
I took measurements from my shoulder to my rib cage, just under my bust, another from below the breastbone to the waist, and then across the waist. I then made this pattern.
2. Cut the fabric
After transferring the paper to the fabric and cutting the fabric, I ended up with these pieces.
3. Make the halter neck ties
I used the skirt ties to make the halter neck ties. I folded the fabric twice and then ironed it. I know ironing is a bit of a pain, but it really does make a difference in the finish! I pinned and then sewed along the edge with a straight stitch.
4. Attach the ties to the cups
I sandwiched the ties into the cup pieces or the large triangles. The cup pieces were right facing. I sewed along the edges, leaving the bottom open.
After sewing, I removed any excess fabric from the seam allowance to prevent bulking. I turned it inside out and ironed it for a smooth finish.
Then, I hand-basted the open bottom of the cups for a ruched or ruffled effect. When I was happy with the result, I knotted the thread.
5. Make the waist
First, sew the ties. I pressed the seam for the waist piece for a clean edge. Then, I sandwiched the tie pieces between the two layers with the right sides together.
I sewed the shorter sides together, leaving the top open. When I un-flip it - Ta-Da! It’s super clean and neat.
6. Sew the rest of the top
I then sandwiched the cup pieces in the waist piece. I sewed them together using a straight stitch.
This is what it looks like when it’s done!
DIY crop top tutorial
I hope you enjoyed my DIY cute crop top ideas! Let me know what you decide to create in the comments or even better, share photos of your creations!
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