3 Adorable DIY Crop Tops You Can Make Out of Old Clothes

VeganVenus
by VeganVenus
9 Materials
$5
4 Hours
Easy

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
How to make a crop top out of a dress

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.

Measuring and marking the dress

1. Measure the top

Put the dress on to see which length works best. I made a mark to know where to cut. 

Cutting off the bottom of the dress

2. Cut

Lay the dress on a flat surface, mark it all around so the cut is straight, and cut.

DIY cute crop tops

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!

How to turn a hoodie into a crop top

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. 

Taking measurements for the DIY 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. 

DIY crop top pattern

The design looks like this. You’ll need 2 ties. I transferred the measurements and made a pattern with a ½-inch seam allowance. 

Cutting the hoodie into a crop top

2. Cut the hoodie

Place the paper pattern onto the fabric with pins. Then, cut my hoodie following the pattern. 

Making ties for the crop top

3. Make ties

For the ties, I used the sleeves. Cut the sleeves open along the seam. 

Using the hoodie drawstring as a strap

I used the hoodie drawstring as well. Remove the string from the hoodie and sew the two strings together to make one long string.

Sewing the DIY crop top

4. Sew the crop top

First, I cleaned up all the raw edges with a zigzag stitch. Then, I roll hemmed the front piece.

Creating a tunnel for the straps

I folded the front’s top edge to create a tunnel for the string and sewed it down with a straight stitch.

Pinning the crop top ties

I pinned the tie pieces right sides together all the way around, leaving one side open.

Ironing the tie piece

I ironed the tie piece, right sides facing together. 

Attaching the tie pieces to the front piece

Then, I sewed the tie pieces to the front piece.

Trying on the crop top and adjusting the size

Once I sewed all the pieces together, I realized the fit was too loose, so I decided to sew some darts.

DIY crop top ideas

Look how cute this is! I will definitely wear this!

Turning a skirt into a crop top

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.

DIY halter crop top pattern

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.

Cutting the skirt into a crop top

2. Cut the fabric

After transferring the paper to the fabric and cutting the fabric, I ended up with these pieces.

How to make a halter crop top

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. 

Attaching the ties to the cups

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. 

Turning the fabric inside out

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.

Hand-basting the open bottom of the cups

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. 

Making the waist part for the crop top

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. 

Flipping the fabric

I sewed the shorter sides together, leaving the top open. When I un-flip it - Ta-Da! It’s super clean and neat.

Attaching the cup pieces to the waist

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.

DIY crop top from a skirt

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!

Suggested materials:
  • Old clothing to upcycle: dress, hoodie, skirt
  • Sewing machine
  • Needle and thread
See all materials

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