How to Make a Muscle Shirt Out of a T-Shirt
Muscle shirts aren't just for meathead guys anymore. Hipsters and gym rats alike wear these comfortable tops. Transforming your favorite T-shirt into a muscle tee is one of the simplest T-shirt surgery projects -- and does not require thread and needle.
Muscle shirts aren't just for meathead guys anymore. Hipsters and gym rats alike wear these comfortable tops. Transforming your favorite T-shirt into a muscle tee is one of the simplest T-shirt surgery projects -- and does not require thread and needle. With a trusty pair of fabric scissors, snip your way to an array of creative muscle shirts.
Step 1
Try on the T-shirt to determine where you want to cut -- inside or outside of the sleeve seams. Cut outside the seams -- and leave the seams intact -- to create a more finished look.
Step 2
Examine the neck and length of the shirt. You may also want to cut those, depending on the style you want to achieve.
Step 3
Lay the T-shirt on a flat surface, and ensure that the seams are aligned. The shoulder seams should be at the very top of the shirt -- not twisted to the back -- and the seams at the hem should line up in the front and back.
Step 4
Cut off the sleeves by cutting along the sleeve seams at the armpits -- either on the outside or inside of the seams.
Step 5
Try on the shirt and examine your sleeve holes. You may want to widen the holes by cutting off more fabric along the new sleeve lines you've created.
Step 6
Remove the original neckline, if you prefer. Cut a half circle below the neckline seams
Step 7
Shorten the shirt by cutting a straight line above the hem. When you remove the hem of the shirt, the fabric will roll up a small amount, shortening the shirt further.
Tip
To avoid a mistake, turn your shirt inside out and mark your cut lines with chalk or a colored pencil.
Make each muscle shirt different. Consider cutting slits or a heart out of the back. Add fringe to the bottom or cut a wavy line instead of a straight one for a beach-ready look when removing the hem.