Fashion How-To: T-shirt Surgery

I’ve been talking about t-shirt surgery for a while now on this blog.  So, I figured it was high time I showed you how to alter a shirt for yourself.

To express my dismay for the worst son EVER, I got this shirt:

T-shirt is from Jordandene.  Get it here.

I got the unisex shirt in an XL.  I’m a size 18/20 for reference.  As you can see, the neckline is way too high for a girl.  It is unflattering and uncomfortable.  The rest of the shirt fits great and is super-soft, but that neckline tho.

So, time to surgically remove that collar.  I like to cut the neck out asymetrically, so one side is more open than the other.  Then I wear a bra with straps that are color coordinated.  Kind of Flashdancy, but I’m an 80s child after all.  If you want the sides to be even, just mark the shirt that way.

Step One: Wash and dry the shirt.  Even if it is super soft already, go ahead, so the cuts will be where you want them.

Step Two: Get a pair of fabric scissors.  You can get these anywhere, but keep in mind that once you have them, keep them as fabric only scissors.  Don’t use them for anything else.  Fabric scissors need to be super-sharp and cutting anything, especially paper, dulls them quickly.  You need to be able to make precise and clean cuts.

Step Three: Put the shirt on and in a mirror, look at where you want the new opening to end.  Now move your finger in about a half inch toward your neck.  Make a mark here with a marker.  Mark the other side.  Reason you move in a bit is the neckline will stretch a little.  Be cautious here.  If you find the opening is too small once your done, then just cut a little more.  If you cut too much from the start, your stuck with it.  Better to be cautious.

Step Four: Lay the shirt out flat on a table.  Use the scissors to make a tiny snip on the mark on one shoulder.  Then put one scissor blade into the shirt and start to cut towards the other mark.

 

Step Five: Flip open the section of shirt you just cut.  Like this:

Step Six: Now you have a guide to cut the back-side of the shirt.

Step Seven: Give the neckline a GENTLE tug.  Try it on and see if you like it or need to do a little more trimming.

Here’s my finished project:

Post any questions you have in the comments.  Also, send us some pics of your creations!  Scout and I would love to see them!

Until next time…

Love, Kim and Scout