15-Minute Halter Top (T-shirt hacks contest)

Need a halter top RIGHT FREAKING NOW? Here's how to make a stylish, no-sew top in just 15 minutes with an old T-shirt and a pair of scissors.

Step 1: You will need:

For this project you will need:

A T-shirt
A pair of scissors

I know, you might have to go to some kind of T-shirt-hacking specialty store to get these.

Step 2: Snippity Snip

Turn the T-shirt inside out and cut off the collar and sleeves, removing as little excess fabric as possible. If you want a lower neckline, you can cut a little more out of the front of the collar, but I would wait to do this until the end after you've tried it on. (You can always alter this shirt more later.)

Step 3: Cutting out the back

Make a straight cut along the imaginary line that connects the bottoms of the sleeve holes. Open this flap and lie it flat.

Step 4: Making the Straps

To start making the straps, start cutting on one side of the neck hole in a line that curves slightly towards the middle of the back panel. When you've done this on both sides, the straps should lie flat and make a rounded "V" shape with the neckline.

Step 5: Trimming the Straps

Trim along the straps until they are about three or four inches wide. Avoid cutting more fabric away from the body of the shirt.

Step 6: Wear and enjoy!

Ta da! A stylish halter top in about 15 minutes.

Comments

[tvelazqu]

I totally lost you with step 3 your missing something there, your not saying to sew the shirt so how is the front to back going to lay flat if your not taking out the side seams?

[La Petite Croissant]

There is no side seam where the sleeves are. Removing the sleeves and cutting across the back allows the back to be a continuation of the front.

[Smexy Dead]

As I've said before, the main point of this instructable is speed and ease. If you want a fitted garment, you will of course have to put more work into it. This project is a jumping-off point which anyone can take as far as they lie depending on their particular skills and needs.

[swelch5]

I thought I memorized all the steps, but of course, cut my straps too short. D'oh! Shoulda checked. Other than that, I love this!

[DefyGravity987]

this is great! im going as a hippie for Halloween, which is three days away and I have no costume yet, and costumes are hard to find for me since im plus size. I totally love this idea for a halter, so im gonna tye dye a shirt and use this pattern!

[ButaneDance]

Thanks for telling us to turn it over. I ruined my shirt.

[Smexy Dead]

I did try to make that clear by calling this step 'cutting out the BACK'

[midnightblue57]

thank you iam really going enjoy making them it well be a lot cooler!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lycoris3]

OMG! I just attempted it and im wearing it right now. I feel ssssoooooo much cooler now!! Thank you for the instructable! I am forever in debt to you!

[lycoris3]

I must reply near a year later to say thank you again.  I have made a few more....ah, again thanks for the shop idea....and myself have enjoyed my few meager dollars which I have frittered away on more cut - away Ts.  You really should open a shop and sell these things you know?  btw, I have stopped selling at the moment.

[startupninja]

FINALLY a use for all those trade show tees!

[buzznlikeneon]

Doh! i love this!! wooo i'm so excited to try it out!

[borgia6]

Thank you, this gave me a great start on a simple project that got me off of my arse by its sheer simplicity. After I cut it up and tried it on, I had the problem mentioned above: it hung way too large around the torso. I spent about 10 minutes hand-sewing a new seam in the back by guesstimation and it works wonderfully. But now I'm messing with the straps...either way, this should be a great shirt in under an hour that I had to use a bit o' problem solving for. A great beginner project, especially to expand on.

[borgia6]

One more note: I tried using pinking shears. I don't recommend the look.

[chelseaaspen]

love it! great job! i'm going to try and make a dress out of it!

[crazyNYClady]

Ummm...is it just me, or should I have used a size or two smaller? I tried to make this with my normal size and was HUGE! And hung like a cowl-neck in the back. Let me know if I'm wrong, but I think people should use at least one size smaller so it's not hanging off you. But great instructable! Thanks!

[Smexy Dead]

well I think it depends on how you like your t-shirts, and the fabric. Both of the shirts I've used for this project have been my size, but they were also both relatively new so the fabric hadn't had time to wear and stretch out. The thing about this project is that its main aim is speed, if you want to make something more finished and sturdy it would involve tweaking the garment a bit more than I did here (mainly adding hems and being more precise with measurements to make sure it fits.)

[Ironious]

Smexy, i like your look better with the longer hair in back. very smexy. :)

[x_xPacox_x]

?

[Ironious]

If you goto her profile and look at her other instructables, you will see that she has very short hair. Her name is Smexy Dead if that was what you were wondering about. Anyway I like her instructable too.

[x_xPacox_x]

sta fea cabron

[jboppx22]

cool

[bruno13069]

Get an extra large or XXL and it could be made into a halter mini. I know a few teens who would wear these and watch Daddy have a heart attack, even though everything's covered. Great Instr.

[joinst]

I finally got around to doing this. It came out great, even with my limited skillz. Thanks for a terrific instructable!

[mikeasaurus]

Usually I just summon my Marvel Hulk-strength and rip the arms off my shirts, then when I'm done for the day I summon the Hulkamania Hulk-strength and rip the shirt right down the middle. I may ruin a shirt every time I wear it, but no one can change faster than me

[Lithium Rain]

ROFLOL

[pacey_waring]

pants too

[babbledabble]

I love this! Not only is it a super-intelligent design, but it's so comfy and flattering for us erm, more "well-endowed" ladies! Fangs so very much!!!

[KreaKatri]

Really great instructable! And not just if you need a halter neck RIGHT FREAKING NOW, but also if you have some old t-shirts lying around that you don't use no more. Or perhaps if you saw a boys t-shirt with a great pattern, or whatever. Then you can just do this to make it more feminine. Thanks for giving me another 3 summer tops without spending any money :)

[1pumpkinfan]

Yeah-ha!!! I went to a hippy fest a few weeks ago. There was a tie dye stand where a girl did this to a shirt someone bought. I remember thinking, "I'm never going to remember this. I hope to God it's on Instructables." Thank you!

[Smexy Dead]

No problem man, glad I could help!

[pete smith]

hey thats cool smexy ....no pun intended !

[jongscx]

Ugh I would so do this if I didn't have an almost obsessive compulsive attitude about keeping my clothing in mostly stock condition (Oh, and if I were a girl and a halter top actually looked good on me...)

[raplover22]

awsome +1

[qwerty90210]

i used one of those ribbed tanks for a cleaner look

[KDCorri]

Great idea! very good photos - you could take the idea further if wanted - bare midriff (mine isn't what it used to be, so I will go with the longer style!) with ties for the bottom, also! Good job!

[boldinvest]

Pretty sweet. You're not bad looking!

[chabias]

This is great! Usually, when I get too hot in the summer, I just cut the sleeves off my T-shirts. This will look alot more feminine. Thanks!!

[INSANE WAYNE]

Thats really cool the way it turned out. Those kids smarts are showing again !!

[stinkymum]

I really like this instructible