Looking to add a little edge to your wardrobe? A crop top is the perfect way to show off a little skin and keep your look fresh. Check out this tutorial on how to cut a shirt into a crop top.
Checkout this video:
Materials
To make this project, you’ll need the following:
Shirt
-marker
-scissors
-ruler or measuring tape
-crop top template (optional)
Position the shirt so that the front is facing you. If you are using a crop top template, place it on the shirt so that the bottom edge of the template is lined up with the bottom hem of the shirt. Use a marker to trace around the template. If you are not using a template, measure and mark 4” up from the bottom hem of the shirt
Scissors
You will need a pair of scissors for this project. Any type of scissors will work, but fabric scissors will give you the best results.
Cutting the Shirt
The first step is to put the shirt on inside out. Once the shirt is on, mark where you want the crop top to end with a piece of chalk or a fabric pen. Make sure that the mark is even on both sides! After the shirt is marked, take it off and lay it flat on a cutting surface.
Lay the shirt flat on a surface.
Cutting a shirt into a crop top is a quick and easy way to update your wardrobe. All you need is a sharp pair of scissors and a few minutes of time. Follow these simple steps to transform a plain shirt into a stylish crop top.
1. Lay the shirt flat on a surface.
2. Use a ruler or measuring tape to mark the desired length of the crop top.
3. Cut along the marked line, being careful to cut evenly across the shirt.
4. Try on the shirt to ensure it fits well and adjust as necessary.
5. Wear your new crop top with confidence!
Decide how long you want the crop top to be and mark that measurement on the shirt.
Cutting the Shirt – (How to Cut a Shirt Into a Crop Top)
Decide how long you want the crop top to be and mark that measurement on the shirt. Then, cut off the bottom hem of the shirt. Next, cut 1-2” slits evenly around the bottom of the shirt. Finally, stretch the fabric to create a ruffled look.
Cut off the bottom hem of the shirt.
Use a rotary cutter, scissors, or an X-Acto knife to cut off the bottom hem of the shirt. You can make the crop top as long or short as you want, but we recommend cutting off about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) from the bottom of the shirt. If you want to keep the bottom hem of the shirt intact, you can skip this step.
Cut the sleeves of the shirt off.
Start by cutting the sleeves of the shirt off. You can cut them as wide or narrow as you’d like, but we recommend starting with a width that’s about 2”-3” wider than your arms.
After the sleeves are off, try the shirt on to determine where you want to cut it off. We recommend cutting it about 4”-6” above your belly button, but you can make it shorter or longer depending on your preference. Once you’ve decided where to cut the shirt, use a ruler or a measuring tape to mark a straight line across the shirt.
Then, use a sharp knife or scissors to cut along the line you just marked. Be sure to cut slowly and carefully so that you don’t accidentally make the shirt too short!
Once you’ve cut the shirt to the length you want, try it on again and trim off any loose threads. If you want, you can also add some embellishments like fringe or sequins to spice up your new crop top!
Cut a horizontal line across the shirt at the measurement you made in Step 2.
Next, you’ll need to cut a horizontal line across the shirt at the measurement you made in Step 2. Be sure to make your cut straighter than shown in the photo above – unless, of course, you want your final crop top to have a curved hemline!
Once you’ve made your horizontal cut, try on the shirt again to double check the length. If it’s too long or too short, simply adjust your cut accordingly.
Finishing the Crop Top
Now that you’ve cut your shirt into a crop top, it’s time to finish the edges. You can do this by either serging the edges, using a wide zig-zag stitch, or by binding the edges with bias tape. Let’s take a look at each method.
Try on the shirt to see if you need to make any adjustments.
Once you have the basic shape of your crop top cut out, it’s time to try it on and make any necessary adjustments. If the shirt is too loose, you can try taking in the sides a bit. If it’s too tight, you can let out the seams a bit. Once you’ve got the fit how you like it, cut off any excess fabric and serge or zigzag over the raw edges to finish them.
Cut off any excess fabric if necessary.
Lay the shirt out horizontally in front of you. If the bottom of the shirt is not even, cut off any excess fabric so that it is. Then fold the shirt in half vertically so that the side seams line up. Cut off the sleeves of the shirt along the seam. If you want your crop top to have a V-neck, cut along the neckline at an angle to create a V-neck shape. Otherwise, leave the neckline as-is.
Hem the sleeves and the bottom of the shirt if desired.
For a more polished look, you can hem the bottom of the shirt and the sleeves. To do this, simply fold up the fabric to your desired length and use a sewing machine or needle and thread to sew a straight line across. Once you’ve hemmed the bottom and sleeves, your crop top is complete!
