How to Cut a Heart in a T-Shirt For Valentine’s Day

Do you know how to cut a heart in a t-shirt? It’s very easy! I’m going to show you how to make a simple collar refashion for Valentine’s.

Cutting a heart in a t-shirt is easy to do and perfect for Valentine’s Day. T-shirt material is the best to use because you do not need to even sew a seam. Simply fold, and cut. This cut out make a super simple t-shirt redo. You can be done and ready for Valentine’s Day in less than five minutes.

I’m totally in love with making Valentine’s Day shirts. Something about the day of love makes me happy. I make a new shirt every year! So in keeping with this tradition, I’m going to give you a tutorial on how to make this heart cut out t-shirt refashion.

Why I Love This Tutorial on How to Cut a Heart in a T-Shirt

This tutorial features simple cutting and basic hand-sewing embroidery. If you have the materials on hand, you can create this t-shirt in less than an hour. You’ll be totally awesome for Valentine’s Day. (Of course, you’re already totally awesome, amirite?)

This shirt is understated, yet attractive. Although I love t-shirt refashions, I would never wear any drastic or see-through ones. (I’ll leave those to people covering up at the beach.)

FAQs

1. What Type of T-Shirt Material Is Best for Cutting a Heart Design? Jersey material is ideal for cutting a heart design in a t-shirt. It’s user-friendly because it doesn’t fray, making your project look neat and tidy without the need for sewing edges.
2. Do I Need Any Special Tools for This Project? Basic tools needed include scissors, a fabric marking pen, and possibly embroidery thread if you choose to add decorative stitching. Additionally, a piece of white fabric for the collar and a scrap paper for the heart template are necessary.
3. Can I Use Any T-Shirt for This Project? Absolutely! You can use a new t-shirt or repurpose an old one. Thrift stores like Goodwill are great places to find t-shirts for such projects.
4. How Do I Ensure the Heart Shapes Are Evenly Placed? Folding the t-shirt in half lengthwise and marking the middle and ends helps ensure symmetry. Further folding and marking provide guidance for even placement of the heart shapes.
5. Is It Necessary to Sew the Edges of the Cut-Outs? No, it’s not necessary. The jersey material of the t-shirt doesn’t fray, so sewing the edges is optional unless you want a particular style or reinforcement.
6. Can I Customize the Size of the Heart Cut-Outs? Definitely! You can make your heart template in any size that suits your style. Experimenting with different sizes can lead to unique designs.
7. What Should I Do If I Make a Mistake While Cutting? If you cut a heart incorrectly, you can either incorporate it into your design creatively or use additional fabric to patch or redo the section.
8. Is This Project Suitable for Beginners? Yes, it’s a beginner-friendly project. The steps are straightforward, and it doesn’t require advanced sewing skills.
9. How Do I Care for My Heart Cut-Out T-Shirt? Handle it with care during washing and drying. Gentle cycles and air drying are recommended to maintain the shape and integrity of the cut-outs.
10. Can I Add Other Decorative Elements to My T-Shirt? Absolutely! Feel free to add beads, sequins, or any other decorative elements to personalize your t-shirt further.

How to Cut a Heart in a T-Shirt: Full DIY Sewing Tutorial

I used these red t-shirts that I got off of Amazon to make this shirt. Oh, and I also used this fun form to model my new shirt, which I didn’t find too badly priced (at the time) for around $65. Or, you can buy a used t-shirt from Goodwill or the Salvation Army to make a refashioned clothing project. I also used gold embroidery thread for an added touch.

Anyway, here are the instructions for this super simple heart cut out t-shirt.

Turn your shirt inside out. Cut a piece of white t-shirt fabric (I like to use my husband’s old white undershirts) to be around the collar. I used the bottom of the shirt for the hem, and I cut it off.

Pin to the collar.

Going into the right side, cut the white jersey fabric around the collar.

This is what the wrong side of your t-shirt should look like.

Baste stitch the white fabric to the red t-shirt collar. I cut the white fabric so I could see around the collar. But you can also hand-stitch to baste.

Fold your t-shirt in half lengthwise. In other words, fold it so the front of the shirt is in half. Mark the middle and both ends. Make sure that your ends are even.

Fold in half again (on each side of the middle mark). Use the marks that you made. Mark again.

Remember the hem that I cut off? Use it to mark around the collar. By the way, I used the purple fabric marking pen.

I hope you can the markings I wanted to make. A lot of how to cut a heart in a shirt is proper marking and spacing. So take your time with these steps.

Next, I made a heart template out of a piece of scrap paper. I didn’t like the size, so I cut something more to my liking.

I like the size on my shirt.

Put the hearts on the markings. But I didn’t like the spacing, so I added some hearts in between each.

Much better!

I used some embroidery thread. I started at the bottom (the heart point), and I pulled it straight through. (I didn’t knot the bottom.)

I didn’t know until this project that embroidery floss came in spool form, but I guess that makes sense since we have embroidery machines. Let me tell you, it’s a whole lot easier. Just to forewarn you, metallic thread is difficult to work with.

Can you see the hole?

So, I knotted near the hole that I made. And then, I sewed through to the other side to the point.

Please excuse the fact that this photo wasn’t started at the bottom (at the bottom of the heart). I redid my stitches after I took this photo. ???? But, here you can see my basic embroidery.

All the hearts embroidered. ????

Next, I poked a hole in the center of each heart. Be careful not to cut the white fabric!

All of them cut out.

The last step here … I trimmed the white fabric a bit.

The Final: How to Cut a Heart in a T-Shirt

And here it is laundered. It’s supposed to have a “jagged” look. You don’t have to worry, though, because jersey material doesn’t fray. I love that I can still see the gold embroidery thread. Would you wear this out for Valentine’s Day?