Muscle Tee Cutoff
How to make a T-shirt into a Muscle Tee Cutoff
Follow these steps on how we recommend to cut your t-shirts into a cool muscle tee cutoff.
We've done this many times so we are confident that this looks great. You'll only need scissors and a way to measure, it's that simple. We believe in you!!!
1. Wash it!
If your t-shirt is new, you want to wash it first because most t-shirts shrink a little the first time you put them in the dryer. So, before you start cutting it, make sure it's washed and dried!
2. Preparing your space.
Find a flat surface where you can place your t-shirt.
Consider that you will need to turn and flip your shirt in an angle at times.
If you don't have a surface big enough to fit your t-shirt, we suggest using the floor. We've seen people cutting their shirts in the air... Trust us, it's never a good idea and you're prone to make a lot of weird cuts.
3. Cutting the sleeves.
First turn your t-shirt inside out. Then start cutting the sleeves. Just follow the seamline, where the sleeves join the t-shirt.
Cut all around on the shirt side, so the seamline stays with the sleeves.
We suggest you start cutting from the armpit up.
Don't cut the front and back at the same time, that way you will have more control over what you're cutting.
4. Measuring your t-shirt.
You might be tempted to skip this step, but HOLD ON... every shirt is different and you want the best look for you.
Turn the t-shirt back to normal, then put the t-shirt on. With a measuring tape or ruler, measure one of the sides from the bottom to the top, and mark how low you would like to cut it. Maybe write it down so you don't forget that measurement.
Think how much of your body you want to cover or show, it depends on you and what you feel comfortable with.
If you don't have a measuring tape or ruler, you could use a piece of paper and mark it with a pen.
You could also use a piece of masking tape to mark where you want the side holes to end.
5. Cutting where the arm holes will stop.
Now that you know how low you want to cut the arm holes, take your t-shirt off and feel sexy (maybe do a little dance).
Place your t-shirt on the flat surface, with the front facing you. Make sure it's flat without any big wrinkles on the sides and the edges are completely straight.
Make a little cut, like 1/8 of an inch (.125 cm), on each side. This cut should be enough to put your scissors in.
If your shirt has a seam, make sure that you cut the seam on this step.
6. Cutting the sides.
If your t-shirt has no seams on the sides:
Make sure the t-shirt is completely flat, then from the cuts you made in step 5, insert your scissors through one of the cuts and, while holding down the opposite side, start cutting towards the armpit. Try to pull on the shirt a little to create pressure while cutting so the edge of the t-shirt stays straight.
If your t-shirt has a seam on each side:
Turn your t-shirt inside out. Grab one seam and starting from the cut you made in step 5 towards the armpit, cut as close to the seam as possible, both front and back.
7. Cutting the armpit corners.
If your t-shirt is inside out, turn it back out so the front faces you and lay it flat. You will notice two things:
The front and back of the t-shirt don't align exactly, that's totally fine. When you wear it, no one will notice.
The armpit area has a corner. We are going to cut it so it doesn't look like your muscle tee has flaps.
When you remove the sleeves, the cut naturally goes down and then starts to go out. Find that point, then draw an imaginary line or use masking tape to diagonally align it with the cut below.
You can do this with the front and back at the same time, or you can repeat this step 4 times. It all depends on how comfortable you feel. BUT don't do this step on both the left and right at the same time, remember that each side is different.
8. Wear it with pride.
And now wear your new muscle tee cutoff with pride!!!
Depending on the fabric of your t-shirt, you will notice that the edge of the cuts you made will roll inwards, this is actually a good thing, as it will hide the cuts you made, so don't worry if your cuts are not perfectly straight!
