DIY Crop Top – Sew And No Sew Instructions
You know those oversize t-shirts you get from the thrift store, as a gift, high school, college, and conferences. Typically you use them for painting or PJs or lounging in. But, with basic sewing skills or fabric glue or iron-on hem tape, you can DIY your own crop top from a t-shirt. Get ready to learn how to restyle an oversized t-shirt. Use our sew or no-sew instructions to make a DIY CROP TOP!
Sammie was sent her college t-shirt. She’s GCU bound. It’s big, purple and sports her college logo on it. She put it on and it was way too big. So she asked me to help her make a crop top from the big over-sized t-shirt. When I saw how much excess was going to be left, I asked her if she wanted me to make a bandeau top (tube top) for summer. She said sure, so I also made a bandeau top. If your t-shirt is super big on you can get 2 shirts from 1!
I’ll share that DIY bandeau soon, so be sure to pin the post, subscribe and come back for that tutorial because it turned out super cute and it’s so easy! I’ll interlink the two restyle sewing projects so you can find it easily and see how to make it too!
DIY Crop Top
To restyle your t-shirt and make a crop top all you need is basic sewing skills, a sewing machine or fabric glue to make it a no-sew project! You won’t believe how easy it is!
Pick the method you will use to make the crop top and get out your supplies. Then follow the instructions below for how to make a crop top. If you don’t have a logo on yours you can go shorter if you want to but, be sure to raise your arms and bend down when the fabric is pinned to make sure you don’t cut off too much. For pinning you will need someone to help you as you will be in the oversized shirt.
This sewing machine is the most similar to the sewing machine I own. It is the Singer Sewing Machine 7258. It is a good machine for beginners and for the more advanced sewer too. Any teen or adult can grow their sewing skills and not outgrow the machine while owning it. There are so many features that are my favorite from speed control (which is helpful for beginners or doing intricate sewing) to the computerized decorative stitches…
Sewing Supply List
- Sewing Machine (basic starter sewing machine)
- Thread
- Sewing Scissors
- Sewers Marking Pencil
- Sewing Ruler
- Sewing Gauge (If you don’t own one they are a lifesaver for helping keep hems straight!)
- Sewers Marking Pencil
- Oversized T-Shirt (high school t-shirt, college t-shirt, thrift store t-shirt…)
Optionally, a seam ripper is a must for any sewer, especially if you are a beginning sewer. Helpful tip: Always practice sewing on a scrap piece of fabric to set your stitches properly for your sewing projects.
No-Sew Supply List
- Sewing Scissors
- Sewers Marking Pencil
- Sewing Ruler or Yard Stick
- Sewing Gauge
- Fabric Glue or Iron-on Hem Tape
Restyle Oversized T-shirt
DIY Crop Top From T-Shirt
- Measure the fit of the t-shirt on the person who will wear it. Decide where to cut the fabric, and allow a little extra room for making the hem. (about an inch extra)
- Use a sewing ruler or yardstick and fabric marking pencil to make the lines for where to cut the t-shirt. Mark the cutting line all around the t-shirt (front and backside with lines meeting).
- Snip Cut the edge with sewing scissors. then cut around the t-shirt with one layer (vs. cutting both front and back at once) This gives you extra fabric to make the bandeau top! Save it for later.
- (Have your shirt inside out!) Make a hem by turning up the bottom edge, measure 5/8 inch, and place sewing foot directly on the folded edge. (NOTE: You are working on the inside t-shirt and not the front/top (right side). Sewers say the wrong side of the fabric.
- If possible use a finishing hem. A zig-zag or straight stitch will work too. Remember to use a start/reverse/start – knot stitch when beginning and ending your sewing. Sew around the entire t-shirt making the hem 5/8 inch. Trim excess threads.
- Turn the t-shirt to the right side of the finished project. Tada! You made it and it’s ready to wear.
DIY Crop Top No-Sew
Follow Steps above 1-3 then instead of sewing make the hem 5/8 inch (working on the inside of the t-shirt) and use fabric glue like Aleene’s (or adhesive hem iron-on tape) to make your hem secure. If using the iron-on hem tape follow directions on the package. If using the fabric glue follow the directions on the package. Let the fabric glue dry or hem cool down and follow step 6.
Who is ready to make a cropped t-shirt their high school or college sports t-shirts?
If your t-shirt is plain you might like to try and DIY this style crop top with a split open back for summer.
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