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How To Cut Sleeves Off Shirt?
Jessica QuiltNCo
Posted by
Jessica
|
Updated on
June 12, 2023
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you. You can read our affiliate disclosure in our privacy policy.

9 Ways How To Cut Sleeves Off Shirt

Cutting off a shirt sleeve can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With these simple steps, you’ll learn how to remove the sleeves from any shirt in just a few minutes.

The easiest way to cut sleeves off a shirt is to cut them at the neckline. Cut the sleeve off the shirt and then pull it off the shirt. Next, use the remaining sleeve as a guide to cut the shirt on the sides. Once the two cuts are made, pull the shirt off the arm. Lastly, pull out the extra sleeve and discard it.

You don’t need to be a professional seamstress to make sleeves. There are plenty of easy ways to cutting the sleeves off a shirt.

Some people just use their favorite pair of scissors to cut the sleeves off. Some even use an old toothbrush to do the job. In this guide, we’ll explain how to cut sleeves off a shirt quickly and easily.

1. With a Pair of Scissors, Cut Along the Sleeve Seam

To cut the sleeves off a shirt with a pair of scissors, start by cutting along the seam of the sleeve. Then, cut along the shoulder seam and around the neckline. Finally, cut off the excess fabric around the armhole.

Don’t cut the sleeve fabric (that’s just separating the seams).
Don’t cut the shirt fabric (it would be a disaster).
Don’t cut the sleeve hem (you’ll ruin it for good).
Don’t cut the sleeve cuff (where did you get that idea from?).
Don’t even think about cutting any seam allowance for your sleeves; this could be disastrous for both parties.

2. Cut along the sleeve seam with a rotary cutter.

To make a clean cut, you must use a rotary cutter or ruler and a fabric pencil. A rotary cutter is a tool with a sharp blade to cut fabric along the seam line. Rotary cutters are available at craft stores and online retailers like Amazon and Walmart.

Cut along the sleeve seam with your rotary cutter, being sure not to go too far past where you want your sleeves to end up being shortened (we suggest about an inch).

3. Use Pinking Shears to Cut Along the Sleeve Seam

If you want to cut the sleeves off your shirt, there are a few things that you can do. One of the easiest ways is to use pinking shears. Pinking shears are not used for cutting fabric in general but specifically for keeping fabric from fraying and unraveling.

They also prevent raveling by creating a zigzag edge on each side of the cut seam. When using pinking shears, be sure not to apply too much pressure, as this could result in cutting through more than just the seam underneath!

4. Use a Seam Ripper to Remove the Sleeve Seam Carefully

Using a seam ripper, carefully remove the sleeve seam. You must cut through both sides of the sleeve and then remove it.

Use a seam ripper to remove the sleeve seam carefully. Use your fingers or scissors to gently pull apart the stitches holding together each side of your shirt’s armhole opening.

Cut off any loose threads with scissors or a thread snip, and then turn over your shirt so that you can cut off any excess threads at the bottom hem (if applicable).

5. Cut the Sleeve off with a Sharp Knife

You can cut the sleeve off with a sharp knife, but this method is only recommended if you are an expert in cutting clothes or have someone who knows how to do it for you.

If done wrong, this method will leave the shirt looking like a rag, and the stitching may be visible on both sides of your arm holes.

6. Use a Paper Cutter to Cut Along the Sleeve Seam

Use a paper cutter to cut along the sleeve seam. First, you will need a straight edge on the paper cutter that matches your sleeve seam.

Hold the shirt down with one hand, and use your other hand to run the paper cutter along the seam. Cut all of it off entirely or at different points depending on how big or small you want your sleeves to be!

7. Use a Rotary Cutter to Trim the Sleeve Seam

To trim the sleeve, you’ll need to use a rotary cutter. Place your shirt on a cutting mat and gently run the rotary cutter along the sleeve seam with enough pressure to cut it cleanly.

You might also want to place some scraps of fabric underneath your shirt so that if anything goes wrong, there’s nothing for you to ruin!

8. Use Pinking Shears to Zigzag Along the Sleeve Seam

Sew along the sleeve seam using your regular machine, and then use a seam ripper to remove both threads from each sleeve seam, leaving only one stitch in place on each side.

This will help prevent your shirt from fraying as you cut around it later. Using pinking shears, slowly spiral down and around your shirt sleeve until you reach its bottom edge.

This way, no matter how many times you’ve gone over that same spot with a pair of scissors (or any other sharp object), there’ll still be enough fabric left over so that when we start cutting away at our edges later on today, they won’t fray too much before we’re done.

9. Use a Seam Ripper to Remove the Sleeve Completely

A seam ripper is a tool that can easily be found in any sewing kit. The most common use of the seam ripper is to remove stitches and seams from clothing, but it can also be used to remove the sleeve from your shirt if you’ve cut too far down.

To do this, carefully cut along the seam with a pair of scissors until you reach the point where you want to remove the sleeve. Then use the seam ripper to gently pry each side of the stitching until there’s enough room to pull out your arm through them (without ripping off too much fabric).

Once you have done this, continue cutting along both sides of where your arms were until they’re completely separated from one another.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Cut Sleeves Off a T Shirt?

To cut off the sleeves of a t-shirt, you will need a few supplies: a pair of sharp scissors, a marking tool (such as a fabric pen or tailor’s chalk), and a t-shirt. Start by trying on the shirt and marking where you want to cut the sleeves with your marking tool.

How to Remove Sleeves from a Dress?

To remove sleeves from a dress, turn the dress inside out, locate the seams that attach the sleeves to the dress, and use scissors to carefully cut the seams.

How to Remove Sleeves from a Shirt?

To remove sleeves from a shirt, turn the shirt inside out, locate the seams that attach the sleeves to the shirt, and use sharp scissors to carefully cut along the seams, being sure not to cut the shirt itself.

What Is the Best Way to Cut Sleeves Off a Shirt?

The best way to cut sleeves off a shirt is to use a sharp pair of scissors and cut along the seam that attaches the sleeves to the shirt, taking care not to cut the shirt itself.

Where to Cut Sleeves Off Shirt?

You can cut sleeves off a shirt wherever you like, but it’s a good idea to mark where you want the sleeves to end before cutting.

How to Cut Sleeves Off a Dress?

To cut sleeves off a dress, locate the seams that attach the sleeves to the dress, use sharp scissors to cut along the seams, and remove the sleeves.

Conclusion

There are different ways to cutting sleeves off shirt. You can either cut the sleeves off by hand, or you can use a pair of scissors. Whatever method you choose, don’t cut the sleeves off too short. This can make the arms look weird.

JessicaJessica
I’m Jessica, mother of two and passionate seamstress. From a very young age, I’ve cultivated a passion for the creative arts, from drawing, sewing and now quilting. I saw it as a way to escape, to create, and above all, to please by offering my creations around me. The desire to pass on this passion has become more and more important, this is why I’m sharing my experience and my knowledge online.
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Jessica QuiltNCo

Warning!

I am a passionate Quilter.
This means that I actually enjoy chopping up perfectly good fabric into little teeny tiny pieces and then sewing them all right back together again…
JUST FOR FUN. 😉
Jessica
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you. You can read our affiliate disclosure in our privacy policy.

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