Want to change up the look of your T-Shirt Neckline? This post has you covered!
Sometimes an old shirt needs new life, altering the neckband is an easy way to do that! To change a T shirt neckband, you can go as simple as a quick cutting technique, or as involved as sewing a new shaped neckline. (Which isn’t as hard as it sounds!)
In this post, I have rounded up many different ways to change your t shirt necklines. Take your pick which one you want to try!
I have organized this post in two groups: sewing methods, and cutting methods. You can use the table of contents to jump to which section interests you!
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Sewing Methods
Lower The Neckline From A Crew To A Scoop
Lowering the neckline of your t shirt is a surprisingly easy way to make it look more feminine. I like to do this on some of my t shirts when I feel they aren’t stretchy enough to really pull over my head easily, or when I feel like it is too restricting.
To lower the neckline of your shirt, you will unpick a portion of the neckband, cut the new scoop neckline, then re-stretch and sew it back together. (You can also replace it with a new neckband if you prefer)
This technique does not require a serger, although that is the way I prefer to do it!
Add A Collar To Your T Shirt
Collars are an easy way to add some interest to your neckline. JustCraftyEnough has a great tutorial on how to add a floral peter pan collar to your T shirt. Using contrasting fabric adds a pop of fun to this project.
You could also use a guide like this one that gives you patterns for 10 different detachable collars to wear over top of your t shirt, if you prefer a detachable style!
Add A Lace Hem To The Neckline (And Other Hems Too!)
An easy way to dress up your t shirt neckline is to add a bit of lace to the hem! This lace neckline tutorial is originally meant for a T shirt that you make yourself, but the method would also work after cutting off the old neckband on your exsisting T shirt!
Applique A Necklace Neckline
Using scrap pieces of knit fabric, you can create an awesome necklace-looking design around the neckline of your t shirt! This refashion really takes the style up a notch. You can get the pattern for this applique and view the rest of this t shirt upcycle from Swooden Says.
Add A Cowl Neck To Your T Shirt
Cowl necklines are so cozy and perfect for cold weather. You could cut off the old neckline of your shirt and replace it with a cowl! This cowl neckline tutorial teaches you how to add a cowl to a specific pattern, but you could also draw your own cowl pattern and add it to your shirt, the photos in this tutorial will still be helpful.
Add Criss Cross Straps To A V-Neck
Technically, you can try this technique on any shape of t shirt neckline that is low enough (it won’t really work on high necklines). I used an old V-neck t shirt and added a simple criss cross strap decoration to add interest. You can sew straps like I did, or use ribbons to make it even easier!
Turn A Round Neckline into A V-Neck
Using the existing neckband on your t shirt, you can cut a new V shape neckline and then re-attach the band! When you do this method right, no one will ever be able to tell it used to be a round neck T shirt.
Here is a great video tutorial from Professor Pincusion on how to do this.
Raise The Shirt Neckline
If the shirt neckline is a bit too low, you can raise the neckline by shortening the shoulders and potentially cutting the arm holes to be a bit lower. I have done this method on many garments, shirts and dresses alike. It works best on clothes that are not extremely form fitting, and you should be very familiar with sewing to try it out.
Applique Flowers
Applique some shabby-chic flowers and stitch around the neckline to refashion your shirt quick!
Make The Neckline Smaller
Catherine Sews has a great video detailing 4 different methods to shrink a t shirt and make the neckline smaller! The options include:
- adding a lace inset
- using Elastic
- creating pintucks
- shortening the neckband.
Make A Unique Tassel Neckline
This is one of the most interesting neckline alterations I have seen. “Sew With Me” on Youtube transforms the shirt into a one of a kind item by adding several decorative tassels across the band.
Add A Neckline Applique
An embroidered neckline applique or lace collar is such a pretty way to alter your t shirt, in fact the shirt I wore today has an embroidered floral neck piece and it is gorgeous!
Here are a few examples of embroidered appliques you can sew to your shirt:
Lace applique by Fantazya Vintage
Embroidered Floral Neckline by ChembroidCraft
Embelish With A Ruffle
Adding a ruffled embelishment around the neckline is a really fun and playful way to dress up a t shirt! You can also add in some fabric flowers.
Sew A Beaded Neckline
Adding beads, studs, or rhinestones to your neckline can really make it look beautiful! This tutorial will show you how to upcycle your shirt to add beads in a unique way.(I had a favorite t shirt with pearls on the neckline, I’ll have to do a tutorial sometime!)
Add Felt Flowers To The Neckline
Instead of applique, why not add some coloryl felt flowers to the t shirt? This is a cute tutorial for kids clothes, but you can get creative and make it look great for adult t-shirts as well!
Raise A Low Neckline
This tutorial was originally for a dress with a low neckline, but raising a v-neck t-shirt neckline is doable with this method as well! Adding a small modest panel to the V raises the neckline quick and easy!
Create A Lace Collar
Using lace ribbon, you can sew a new collar type neckline to your t shirt for a stylish and one of a kind look. This step by step tutorial will show you how.
Add A Bow
I love this idea by It’s Always Autumn to make a T shirt with a bow on the neckline! You can cut off your old neckband and follow her tutorial to add a new neckband with a super cute bow detail.
Cut & Sew A Keyhole
This adorable t shirt refashion was originally done on a child shirt but the method can be used on any tee. It transforms the neckline into a keyhole neckline with a button for an added detail!
Cutting & Gluing Methods
Cut A Choker Neckline
Cutting a triangle out of the bottom of your neckband creates a choker style v neck. Learn how with this easy tutorial!
Gluing Seqiuns
This is such a classy and grown up T shirt or sweatshirt alteration, I love it because it looks great but still gives you the comfyness of a casual shirt! You don’t need to sew for this one, all you need is some fabric glue!
Cut Open The Hems
Cutting open the hems on your t shirt neckline adds some grunge flair but in a sublte way. When you wash the shirt, the edges will curl slightly to give it some interest but since you haven’t vut of the entire neckband, it still has that professional finish!
To do it, carefully make a small snip on the edge of the hem, then insert the scissors into the neckband. Then, cut around the top of the band on the fold. You can also do this to the arm hems and the bottom hem.
If your t shirt also has a coverstitch on the shoulders, you can carefully cut through ONLY the top layer of fabric and open it up too.
Here is the finished look:
Slashed T Shirt Neckline
Slash the front of the t shirt neckline as well as the shoulders and side seams for this dramatic no-sew transformation!
Cut Slits Around The Neckline
Cutting radiating slits around the front of the neckline gives a distressed look.
Cut A Lower Neckline Using A Plate
Using a plate to trace a new circle scoop neckline is a quick way to cut a lower neckline without any sewing! Since Knit fabric doesn’t fray, you can leave the raw edge as is with no problems.
Braid The Collar
Braiding the collar of your t shirt is a low-sew way to cut and refashion the neckline. Here is a great tutorial by Salinabear for a chunky braided look and a video to guide you, and here is another braiding tutorial with additional photos.
Weave The Neckline
This intricate cutting and weaving tutorial creates a unique fashionable neckline for your t shirt.
Geometric Cut Outs
Totally tansform your t shirt neckline with this geometric cut out tutorial.
Cut & Crocheted T-Shirt Neckline
Take inspiration from the 70’s for this interesting and fun t shirt refashion!
Conclusion
Are you excited to change up your wardrobe by altering your T shirt neckline? Which method will you try?
