I love comfy tees, don’t you?

While I’ve sewn hundreds of t-shirts for my kids and myself, I’m still nervous about sewing a V-neck t-shirt(Opens in a new tab).

All my confidence goes out the window when I think about trying to get that perfect point on the V-neckline.

But here’s the thing: I devised a way to have my desired appearance without all the fuss.

I’m excited to share this sewing tutoria (Opens in a new tab)—including a how-to video! —on how to make a DIY v-neckline t-shirt.

What equipment and materials do I need for this project?

You know what’s great about this project? It doesn’t require a ton of expensive supplies or specialty equipment.

This is one of the most essential projects you can create with your sewing machine or serger!

Equipment and tools:

• Brother Serger Sewing Machine SB3734T (Opens in a new tab)
• Brother 2340CV Cover Stitch Machine(Opens in a new tab)

Materials:

• T-shirt pattern (I used the free swing tee from my site for this tutorial)
• Tracing/tissue paper
• Knit fabric
• Crew neck T-shirt

How long will this project take?

This is a quick sewing project (Opens in a new tab) project since you’ll start with an existing shirt. You can expect it to take about an hour or so to complete.

Sewing a v T-shirt neckline in 13 easy steps (H2)

Gathering all your materials and supplies before you start any sewing project(Opens in a new tab) is essential.

You also want to ensure your fabric is pre-shrunk, pre-washed, and wrinkle-free before cutting out the pattern.

Then, mark your pattern and make cuts on a flat surface with sharp scissors for a neat cut edge.

Now, you can follow the steps below to sew your v-neckline!

1. Take the front of the shirt pattern and trace a copy.

2. Draw a line straight across the shirt pattern from the bottom of the arm opening.

3. Turn the curved neckline into a straight V at the front.

   The bottom of the v should touch the line from the side.

4. Cut across the front to separate the top from the bottom.

   Add seam allowance to both sides of the cut pieces.

5. Cut pattern pieces from fabric.

   Remember to add a seam allowance to the top and bottom of the shirt's front.

6. Sew shoulder seams together with right sides touching.

7. Open up the neckline and measure.

   Cut neck binding 90% of this measurement. I cut mine 1.5" wide.

8. Fold the binding in half and stretch and pin to the neckline.

   Sew the three layers of fabric together. Stretch the binding while sewing. You will sew two layers of binding and one layer of shirt.

9. Press open and top stitch if desired.

10. Overlap the shirt front to create a V.

    The band should overlap. Pin or clip.

11. Pin or clip the bottom of the shirt to this edge.

Sew and press to have a cute shirt with a v-neckline.

You can use one color for a less obvious cut line or mix things up to make a fun color-blocked shirt.

How do you measure the V-neck cut?

V-neck shirts come in a few different styles based on your preferences.

If you want a standard V-neck, base the depth of the new neckline on the original scoop neck.

Use the deepest point of the crew neck as the bottom of your V-neck and cut a straight line on each side up to the shoulder seam.

For a deeper V-neck, measure one or two inches from the bottom of the neckline and cut straight down to the shoulder on each side.

How do you cut a T-shirt V-neck with a choker?

Embrace your creative side with the V-neck with a choker style.

This unique design retains the original crew-neck neckband while you can unleash your creativity by removing a triangle of fabric below the neckband, forming a stylish V-shape.

1. Start by laying your crew-neck shirt on the sewing table, front side up. Smooth out any wrinkles or creases with a light iron press. For added stability, you can also pin the shirt in place. Remember, this process is simple so that you can feel confident in your DIY skills. Take a piece of brown or pattern paper and trace the existing curved neckline of your T-shirt. Fold the paper in half and crease the fold.
2. Cut the neckline curve from the tracing paper, unfold it, and position it just below the neckline of the shirt. The paper pattern should match the neckline curve and sit snugly below it.
3. Mark where you want the bottom of the v to fall on your paper pattern.
4. Draw a line on the pattern from the bottom of the v up to the existing neckline using a straight or curved ruler as a guide. Fold the pattern along the center line and cut.
5. Mark the T-shirt with the new V-neck pattern.
6. Cut along the v and under the existing neckline to complete the cut-out triangle.

Can I create a v-neckline on a t-shirt without sewing?

Yes, you can create a v-neckline without sewing.

First, I recommend using cotton or blended fabric t-shirts(Opens in a new tab). They’re among the easiest garments to alter or upcycle without sewing.

Since they’re made of knit fabric, they won’t fray when you cut them like woven fabrics.

All you’ll need to add a V-neck to an existing t-shirt is the shirt itself, a fabric marker, and scissors.

Then, follow the steps below.

1. Cut the crew neck shirt collar off the shirt. Be careful not to stretch the fabric or stray too far from the collar’s edge while you’re cutting.
2. Fold the shirt vertically to line up the side seams.
3. Mark the deepest point of the V-neck on the front of the shirt with a fabric marker.
4. Draw a straight line from the point of the V-neck back up to the high shoulder point.
5. Carefully cut along the line from the v point to the shoulder. Make sure you’re cutting both sides of the v, but don’t cut the back of the shirt.
6. Unfold the shirt and check your work. Clean up any raw edges that need smoothing.

Enjoy your personalized t-shirt, exactly how you want it

Creating a V-neck shirt from an old t-shirt is one of the easiest ways to get a new look without spending money.

Whether you prefer the no-sew approach by cutting a V-neck with raw edges, like the fashionable look of a choker collar, or you want to sew a fully finished v-neck edge, there are plenty of beginner-friendly techniques to choose from.

Remember that knit fabrics stretch easily. This can affect the shape and straightness of your cut lines.

Try to stabilize these fabrics by pinning them to your sewing table, using pattern weights, or using a rotary cutter so you can make cuts without shifting the fabric.