No-Sew DIY T-Shirt to Tank Tutorial

Do you have a ton of oversized T-shirts just lying around at your house that no one wants to wear? Instead of discarding them, you can upcycle them into something cute! Making a tank top out of an old T-shirt is possible, even if you don’t know how to sew.

These tutorials are for tank tops that you can wear at home, at the gym, for working out, for walking the dog, or even for doing your groceries or other errands outside the house. You will love making no-sew tank tops from old shirts because it’s like getting new clothes for free using the items you already have at home. It becomes even more special if the oversized shirt is owned by a husband, boyfriend, father, brother, cousin, son, or anyone close to you.

Here are some easy and stylish T-shirt-to-tank tutorials that don’t need sewing:

T-Shirt into DIY Twist Racerback Tank Top

This racerback tank top is perfect for wearing with a racerback sports bra and yoga pants. You’d be so comfy and workout-ready. You’d be willing to wear it while doing your groceries, too!

Materials:

  • Oversized T-shirt 
  • Fabric scissors
  • Fabric chalk

Instructions:

  1. Lay the shirt flat on the ground.
  2. Using fabric chalk, draw where you want to cut the armhole and neckline so it would have a tank top shape. If you want a deep plunge at the neck or longer armholes, you can do so.
  3. Cut your markings, and cut the bottom part of the shirt to remove the hem. Save this piece because you will need it to make the racerback shape at the back.
  4. Cut the bottom piece at the seams so you would have two strips. You only need one, so you can discard the other one away.
  5. Flip the shirt over, so the backside is on top. Gather the center of the shirt in between the two armholes with your hand.
  6. Get the strip you made from the bottom of the shirt. Center it underneath the gathered back of the shirt.
  7. With the help of your feet, wedge the top of the straps so you can pull the shirt while keeping it in place. Start to twist the ends of the fabric around the gathered area.
  8. Wrap it around and around until you have two short ends left. Tie it into a knot or a bow if you want to.
  9. Stretch the shirt out in every direction so the edges would curl.

T-Shirt into Muscle Tank Top

Muscle tank top is a must-have garment for DIY workout wear because it’s just so easy to do! This no-sew muscle tank top has deep, cutout side seams and a twist feature at the bottom that looks cute. It’s great to do for a graphic T-shirt, so if you have one nobody wears anymore, try this one!

Materials:

  • Oversized T-shirt
  • Fabric scissors
  • Fabric chalk
  • Measuring tape
  • Fabric glue
  • Ruler

Instructions:

  1. Fold the T-shirt in half lengthwise.
  2. Measure 5” up from the bottom hemline of the shirt, then cut a straight line across.
  3. Cut off both sleeves and side seams.
  4. Twist the bottom of the front piece on both sides.
  5. Reattach the twisted side seam with fabric glue to finish the no-sew muscle tank.

T-Shirt into Cutout Twist Tank

If you like twist details, then you’ll be wearing the most out of this cutout twist-back tank top. This tutorial can make you a modified racerback tank top with cutout details and a twisted finishing touch.

Materials:

  • Old T-shirt
  • Fabric scissors
  • Fabric chalk
  • Measuring tape
  • Fabric glue
  • Ruler

Instructions:

  1. Fold the shirt in half lengthwise.
  2. Measure 2” from the neckline and 2” underneath the armhole opening. Using fabric chalk, draw a smooth, curved line.
  3. Cut along the line only on the front side of the shirt.
  4. Fold the shirt in half lengthwise again along the centerline. Mark the top and bottom of the armhole opening.
  5. Cut a smooth, curved line at the back of the shirt to make a racerback cut.
  6. Fold the shirt lengthwise again along the center, then cut 11” along the center back from the neckline.
  7. Cut across both shoulder straps and twist the racerback cutouts.
  8. Using fabric glue, reattach the shoulder seams to the front of the tank top.
  9. Reattach the back neckband to complete the shirt.

T-Shirt into Tank Top with Straps

Transform an old shirt into a cool tank top with elastic straps in a contrasting color. In this tutorial, you probably want to use a fitting shirt since this will need straps. The shoulder straps would comfortably hug the areas around your shoulders and elegantly wrap around the back. It would be a great tank top to wear at yoga class, so try making this one and stretch away!

Materials:

  • Fitting shirt
  • ¾” elastic band
  • Fabric scissors
  • Fabric glue
  • Fabric chalk
  • Measuring tape
  • Ruler

Instructions:

  1. Lay the shirt flat on the floor or table.
  2. Measure 2 ½” from the high point on the shoulder and mark on the front neckband.
  3. Using fabric chalk, draw a smooth, curved line connecting the point on the side seam to underneath the armhole.
  4. Cut through the neckband and along the line to the underarm hole opening. Do the same on the other side.
  5. To make the back cowl drape of the strap tank top, find the center back between both under armhole openings.
  6. Draw a smooth curved line connecting the center and one armhole, and do the same on the other armhole. Cut to complete the back cowl drape.
  7. To make the straps, cut to 20” long pieces of ¾” elastic band.
  8. Use fabric glue to connect one end of the elastic band to the top of the shoulder.
  9. Crisscross the straps, then use the glue to attach the other end of the elastic band to the side seam below the under armhole opening.
  10. Do the same to the other side to finish the straps, and your tank top is done.

T-Shirt to Back Slit Tank Top

Is your back your best asset? Looking for new workout clothes that are airy on the back? Try making this back slit tank top with an old shirt! This will be cute to wear for yoga, workout, and even while going for a hike.

Materials:

  • Oversized T-shirt
  • Fabric scissors
  • Fabric glue
  • Fabric chalk
  • Measuring tape
  • Ruler

Instructions:

  1. Measure 1” down under the sleeve and mark it with chalk. Then, measure ½” along the shoulder seam and mark it again using chalk.
  2. Draw the new armhole. It’s best to follow a smooth curve that follows the sleeve line.
  3. Cut along the chalk line to make new armholes.
  4. Fold the shirt in half lengthwise. Use a ruler to mark a centerline on the back of the shirt.
  5. Cut the backside completely. Be careful to cut only the back piece and not the front.
  6. From the back center neckline, measure 1” across and glue. Overlap the back piece so you can form a triangular slit at the back.
  7. After the glue is completely dried, try on your new tank top so you know where you can tie a bow at the back. Tie a bow, and you’re done.