Especially if you live in a warm climate, sleeveless shirts are a popular summer outfit. People love to transform their old clothes into sleeveless shirts that they wear for sports or at home. There are many ways to do this, including getting creative with your shirt, but some of the basic methods below can help you get the sleeveless shirt you want.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Cutting the Sleeves
Step 1. Choose which clothes you want to make up
Almost every shirt fits into a sleeveless shirt, but there are some common choices.
- T-shirt
- old blouse
- Long-sleeved shirt
Step 2. Turn your shirt inside out and lay it out on a flat surface
The surface must be flat so you can cut the shirt evenly.
Step 3. Cut the sleeves, perpendicular to the seam
This is why the shirt should be turned over, so you can see the seams more clearly.
- Use sharp scissors to make multiple cuts on the sleeve of the shirt, cutting straight up to the shoulder seam and then stopping.
- When you're done, the sleeves of the shirt will look frayed.
- This helps eliminate the curve around the shoulders so that the shirt is flatter and allows for a straighter cut.
Step 4. Cut out the pieces you made on the sleeves
Using scissors, carefully trim each tuft at the seam edge, as close to the seam edge as possible.
- Do not cut the shoulder seams, as this will fray the sleeves and unravel the seams.
- Pull the tassels apart as you cut them, so that the shirt cut is straight and clean.
Step 5. Clean the seams if necessary
If the thread is loose or the edges are uneven, trim it so it doesn't fray and fall off later.
- Carefully cut along the edges of the shoulder seam, cutting off anything that needs to be cleaned.
- Your shirt is now sleeveless, but the seams are still intact and that will make the shirt last longer. If the seams of the clothes are cut too, the clothes tend to be damaged quickly.
Method 2 of 4: Making a Classic Sleeveless Shirt
Step 1. Choose the shirt you want to turn into a sleeveless bra
An old t-shirt is the best choice for this method, as other shirts may have a wider neck and won't work well as a bra.
- This method differs from the previous method in that in the first method, you only remove the sleeves but keep the edges of the shoulders. In this method, we are going to cut both the sleeves and the neckline to make a bra.
- Men's shirts are a good choice, as they tend to be looser than women's shirts.
Step 2. Lay out your t-shirt on a flat surface
The surface should be flat so you can cut the shirt evenly.
Step 3. Cut the neckline of the shirt just below the seam
Make sure to cut it close to the seam, as this makes the neckline wider than it looks.
- Keep a distance of 0.5 cm from the seam.
- The cut doesn't have to be perfectly straight, especially if you want to create a grunge look. The cutting distance from the seams doesn't have to be exactly the same.
- Pull the t-shirt so that it stretches as you cut it so it doesn't hang down and make it easier to cut.
Step 4. Cut the sleeves starting from the armpit area
Unlike the neckline cut, you don't have to follow the curve of the sleeves to cut it.
- Start at the armpits and cut in a slight arc to the distance between the neck and arms. Leave a gap that is wide enough for the straps of the t-shirt, about three cm or so.
- Pull the sleeves of the shirts apart as you cut them so they don't hang down and make it easier to cut.
Step 5. Sew the new edges of the shirt so the edges don't fray
Double stitching is a simple and quick way to smooth out this new edge.
- Fold the new edge of your shirt into the inside of the shirt 0.5 cm wide and press. Then, fold again by 0.5 cm and press again. Use a foot sewing machine to sew the pleats.
- Repeat these steps on all the edges, including both sleeves and the new neckline.
- You don't need to sew it if you want a grunge look.
Method 3 of 4: Making a Muscle Tee
Step 1. Choose what shirt you want to cut to make a muscle tee
This sleeveless style is popular with people who work out a lot because it allows them to breathe more easily.
- A loose t-shirt is a great choice for this style, especially if it's a little bulky. Later, this shirt will be open and loose which is suitable for strenuous activities, such as heavy lifting or manual work.
- This sleeveless t-shirt is the easiest to make as it only requires two simple cuts.
Step 2. Measure about 15 cm from the bottom of the shirt to start the cut
This will create a wide opening on the side of the shirt.
This is also to make sure you don't cut off the entire side of the shirt
Step 3. Cut both sides of the shirt up at a slight angle
Keep in mind that you're not converting this shirt into a t-shirt, so the shoulder width of the shirt should be 7-10 cm.
- When you cut the sleeves at the shoulders, you should leave about two and a half cm of the sleeve fabric. That way, the fabric is still attached to the neckline, so the shirt forms a muscle tee.
- Pull the shirt into a stretch as you cut it to keep the cut straight. Chances are, the edges of the new shirt will curl slightly, but the cut will still be straight.
Step 4. Sew the edges of the shirt if you don't want the pieces to fray
Double stitching makes trimming the edges simple.
- Fold the new edge of the shirt 0.5 cm inward and press. Then, fold it again by 0.5 cm and press. Use a foot sewing machine to sew the bottom crease.
- Repeat the process on the other sleeve.
Method 4 of 4: Sewing a Sleeveless Shirt From a Pattern
Step 1. Find a sewing pattern for the sleeves and fabric you will be using
If you want to make your own clothes, this method converts a sleeved shirt pattern into a sleeveless shirt.
- Almost any sleeveless pattern can be used.
- Make sure you buy the pattern of the style of clothing you want (eg men's, women's, baby, children's clothing, etc.).
- Buy enough fabric to make the whole shirt so you don't sew the scraps together.
Step 2. Reduce the width of the shirt pattern at the shoulders by making a new mark on it
Keep in mind that the shoulders of a sleeved shirt stretch all the way to the hem, but sleeveless shirts usually don't.
- Use a pencil to make new marks.
- How much you shorten the shoulder width is up to you, but keep in mind that the shoulder width will decrease by 1 cm when you sew the hand hole.
- Try to create new corners and curves on both arms so they look the same. Make the front of the shirt more curved than the back, just for aesthetics.
Step 3. Cut your pattern along the new line
Before you cut your chosen fabric, you'll need to cut your new pattern.
- Cut the lines of your new pattern carefully, trying to keep the curves intact.
- Prepare your pattern to be traced onto the fabric.
Step 4. Trace your pattern onto the fabric
There are many tools that can be used to do this, but if possible, it's important to choose a tool that doesn't leave marks or can be washed clean. If an appliance claims that the marks left behind can be washed clean, do a test run first by trying it on an old shirt or piece of cloth and then washing the shirt.
- Erasable ink pen.
- Marker wheel and sewing carbon
- Hero marker
- chalk pencil
- Sewing Chalk
- Sewing tacks
Step 5. Cut out two additional pieces of fabric to finish the sleeves
This technique will give a neat finish to the sleeves.
- Measure your sleeve and then add 7-10 cm to sew.
- The width of the strip of fabric should be 2.5 cm.
- This cut is also known as the "hem".
Step 6. Follow the pattern directions to sew parts of the shirt, including the neckline
Stop once you have reached the point of the shoulder seam and side seam.
Step 7. Fold and press the hem to begin the process of finishing the sleeves
Lay out the piece with the pattern side down.
- Fold one of the seams 0.5 cm wide on the non-patterned side, then press down firmly.
- Repeat this step on the second hem.
Step 8. Pin the hem with a needle around the sleeve
Start with the side seams.
- Leave at least two-and-a-half inches of fabric before placing the needle in the side seam.
- Thread the hem and the unfolded hem along the sleeves, so that the folded hem is closer to the chest.
- The right side of the shirt and the hem should be together, which means the pattern side of the hem should meet the pattern side of the shirt, which should be on the outside right.
- Continue pinning the hem along the shoulder holes.
Step 9. Make a small mark on the hem that joins the side seam
Use an erasable pen or other fabric-friendly tool to do this.
- Repeat this step on the other shoulder hole hem.
- This is where you should sew both ends of the seam so that they meet along the side seam.
Step 10. Pull the bisban, or hem
You may need to remove some of the needles to do this.
- Sew the bisban, with the sides of the pattern meeting against the marks you made on the fabric.
- Cut off any excess fabric after sewing (remember to leave at least two and a half cm before threading the needle).
- Press the small strip of fabric left after sewing and cutting, then pin it in the sleeve hole in the side seam.
Step 11. Sew along the sleeve hole
Leave 1 cm between the seam you made and the edge of the shirt.
It is recommended to use a sewing machine in this process, as it will be faster and straighter
Step 12. Press the hem into the new stitch you created
There will now be a short "sleeve" sticking out of the armhole ready to be trimmed.
- Turn the shirt inside out after you've done this.
- Fold the seam again 0.5 cm along the edge you made earlier, then fold again along the seam.
- Pin the needle along the sleeve hole, with the hem folded in twice.
Step 13. Use a sewing machine to sew the sleeve holes near the edge of the fold
This is the final step in tidying up the sleeveless sleeves made from scratch.
- Repeat this process for the other arm hole.
- Press the new seam around the sleeve hole one more time for a stiffer edge. After that, you're done
Tips
Use sharp scissors to cut the shirt. Fabric scissors are a great option and can be found at any fabric or craft store
Warning
- Be careful not to injure yourself with the scissors while cutting your shirt.
- Be careful not to sew your fingers, if using a sewing machine, or poke your fingers with a needle, if you are sewing by hand.
