How to Easily Make a DIY Gym Tank Top Out Of Old Workout Clothes

Tools and materials:

• Old workout gym top
• Your own crop tank top
• Scissors
• Sewing or basting pins
• Sewing machine with a stretch needle
• Ruler or measuring tape

This is the old workout sweater I'll be upcycling.

Tip: Before you start, check what type of fabric your old top is made of. If it’s a stretch fabric, use a stretch needle in your sewing machine. Regular needles won’t work well for this type of fabric.

1. Prepare your workout top

Lay your old top on a flat surface. If your workout shirt has long sleeves, cut the sleeves off at the seams. 

2. Cut out your pattern 

Lay a crop top you love and wear directly on top of your old gym top to serve as a pattern. 

Line them up where the collars meet your collar bone. Your crop top may have a different neckline than your old gym top, so this step makes sure the crop top neckline will fit correctly.

Pin the two together so the pieces don’t move as you cut. Grab your scissors and cut the old gym top to match the shape of your crop top. Leave a bit of fabric all around so you can hem it properly.

3. Pin everything in place

Turn the DIY gym top inside out with the collar facing the furthest away. On a flat surface, pin down the right and left sides using sewing pins. Then, pin the underarm areas and the collar. 

4. Sew it all together

Sew the right and left sides using your sewing machine, as well as the parts of the collar that are open. Finish the areas around the armpits. 

Once you’re done sewing the sides, armholes, and collar, hem your shirt. While it is still inside out, hem about ½ inch or 1.3cm up from the bottom. Make sure it is even on both sides. Pin into place and sew the hem all around.

DIY gym tank top tutorial

Once you’re done sewing, put on your new crop top gym tank top. Admire your deltoids, as well as your cutting and sewing skills! Be sure to watch the video and leave a comment if you have any questions.

Don’t forget to post a photo if you make this new-to-you DIY workout top!