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T-shirt with altered neckline and rolled up sleeves

How to Transform a Boring Crew Neck T-shirt to One You Will Actually Wear (Over and Over)

Posted on July 10, 2020September 4, 2021 by minminutes

Have you ever saw a T-shirt that is soft, has a cute logo, is in a color you like…except the neckline is too high? Or have you ever seen a cute men’s graphic T shirt that you would love to wear, but the neckline is just NOT right?

Recently there was a sale at Target for $7.99 Men’s graphic T (regular price $12.99). I originally was browsing for some T-shirts to get my husband. Inevitably I ended up looking for T-shirts for myself (ha!) Since only the men’s graphic Ts were on sale, I decided to stick to those since I also saw a few that I liked for myself!

At the end, I chose this white Pizza Planet Shirt:

How to alter crew neck t shirt neckline. before photo of mens crew neck t shirt

Looks pretty manly right? I knew the neckline would be way too high and I was right. Don’t get me wrong, I am NOT into super low necklines. However, in general I find crew neck T shirts rather uncomfortable because of the high neckline. It feels suffocating and I find myself tugging at the T-shirt all day trying to adjust the neckline.

Unfortunately that never works.

Luckily hemming a T-shirt neckline is quick and easy. I know you can cut off the neckline and wear as is (since knit materials don’t fray). However, I find that the edge still looks a bit raggedy and unpolished. I much prefer finishing the neckline with a bias tape because it looks much nicer.

And yes, although it will take about 15 minutes (vs 3 minutes to cut off the neckline), I think the end result is definitely worth it. Your altered T-shirt will look store-bought, and who doesn’t want that?

How to refashion a t shirt neckline in 15 minutes pinterest image

I also decided to alter the sleeve (very slightly) since I thought it made the T-shirt cuter. All I did was roll up the edge of the sleeve twice over and tack it down on the top and bottom with a straight stitch. This is completely optional and just depends on your preference.

Follow along with the tutorial to alter your own T-shirt neckline!

MATERIALS:

  • Crew neck T shirt
  • 1/2″ Single fold bias tape (see Notes) – check out How to make Bias Tape

TOOLS:

  • Sewing Machine
  • Fabric Scissors
  • Chalk for marking fabric
  • Ruler
  • Thread of matching color

NOTES:

  • The amount of bias tape you will need depends on how wide the neckline is. Make sure you have at least an extra 1-1.5″ of bias tape compared to the circumference of your new neckline.
  • In this tutorial I used home made bias tape made out of knit material. This allows the neckline to be able to stretch when you pull the T-shirt over your head. You can make your own knit bias tape by cutting knit fabric (or an old T-shirt) and following the tutorial on “How to make bias tape”.
  • You can also use bias tape made out of woven material as well, but the neckline will not stretch as much.
  • In this tutorial I used bias tape that matches the color of the T-shirt (white). However, using a different colored bias tape can also add an extra “pop” to your T-shirt as well!

INSTRUCTIONS:

CUTTING NECKLINE:

How to alter crew neck t shirt neckline. Cutting off existing neckline

LEFT: Draw the desired neckline on your T-shirt. You will be sewing at 1/4” seam allowance, so make sure to take that into consideration when drawing the new neckline.
RIGHT: Cut neckline

PIN BIAS TAPE TO NECKLINE:

How to alter crew neck t shirt neckline. Pinning bias tape to neckline

LEFT: Open the folds on a piece of single fold bias tape. Match right side of bias tape to right side of T-shirt. With front of T-shirt facing you, pin bias tape to neckline starting at right shoulder of T-shirt. Leave 1/2” extra piece above the right shoulder.

How to alter crew neck t shirt neckline. Pinning bias tape to neckline

RIGHT: Pin bias tape around entire neckline back to where you started. You will have some extra bias tape at the end.

How to alter crew neck t shirt neckline. Pinning bias tape around neckline

Fold the extra 1/2” bias tape down (at beginning of where you started pinning bias tape to neckline)

How to alter crew neck t shirt neckline. Folding excess bias tape end over start of bias tape

Fold excess bias-tape-end down over where you started pinning bias tape to neckline.

How to alter crew neck t shirt neckline. Trimming excess bias tape at right shoulder of t shirt

SEWING BIAS TAPE:

How to alter crew neck t shirt neckline. Sewing bias tape to neckline

LEFT: Sew bias tape to neckline at fold of bias tape (~1/4”)
RIGHT: Trim seam allowance to 1/8”

How to alter crew neck t shirt neckline. Pinning sewn bias tape to neckline

Turn bias tape to wrong side of T-shirt. Fold in bias tape and pin to neckline.

How to alter crew neck t shirt neckline. Sewing bias tape down to neckline at 1/8" from bottom edge of bias tape

Stitch at 1/8” from bottom edge of bias tape all around neckline (black dotted line).

ADJUSTING SLEEVE:

How to alter crew neck t shirt neckline. Adjusting sleeve of men's t shirt

Roll edge of sleeve in once, then roll in again and stitch down both ends (top and bottom of sleeve)

How to alter crew neck t shirt neckline. Adjusting sleeve of men's t shirt closeup

Close up of straight stitch on top of sleeve. Bottom of sleeve stitched in same way.

How to alter crew neck t shirt neckline. Finished crew neck t shirt on model
How to alter crew neck t shirt neckline. Finished crew neck t shirt on model
How to alter crew neck t shirt neckline. Finished crew neck t shirt on model back view

Finished! Wasn’t that simple? I’m sure you already have T-shirts laying around your closet that need a new look.

How to alter crew neck t shirt neckline. Finished crew neck t shirt paired with shorts, minnie ears and minnie coin purse.

Grab some accessories and you are ready for your next Disneyland trip!

Other sewing projects to go with your new t-shirt!

Simple tote bag with lining
Simple Tote Bag
DIY Headband finished, adult and girls size with bow tied on both
Stretchy Knit Knotted Bow Headband
Japanese Knot Bag Finished
Japanese Knot Bag

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