Making T-Shirts

Last week I spent some time talking about the lovely Sorbetto and ways to make a few changes, like adding sleeves.  This week I am continuing the theme of shirts only I want to focus on t-shirts.  Which are very simple.  But can sometimes make you crazy.

I decided to go with this pattern...Kwiksew 2900, but there are plenty of patterns in the sewing sea, including making one from your own by cutting up your favorite holey t-shirt.  One day, I'll do a tutorial on that, but not today.  Still, the big three pattern companies have t-shirt patterns which can be purchased on the cheap...

I chose this pattern for its simplicity and neckline choices.  I wanted something that I could use over and over again.  First of all, if you have never sewn with knits, know this:  not all knits are equal.  Just a warning.   For a t-shirt, you need a two-way stretch fabric...like your favorite t-shirt.  Try tugging across...you've got stretch.  Now, try tugging down...no stretch.  The same is true when looking at fabric.  If it stretches from selvage to selvage...that's two-way.  On the back of the pattern envelope is a stretch measure.  If 4" of fabric stretches to the "at least here" mark, then the fabric will work with your pattern.

 

Also, the pattern should be designed for sewing with knits.  This pattern is designed for either sewing or serging.  Since I serge and sew...perfect!  Next, determine your size by measuring your bust at the fullest part.  Why not the hip...we'll, I'll tell you.  If you determined your pattern size by your hip measurement and you are larger on the bottom than the top, then your top will be huge and falling off your shoulders.   Easier to add at the hips, which is what I did.  

Here's the skinny on my t-shirt...I chose the size M because it matched my bust size.  But I tapered tapered my pattern down to the XLG (oh, the shame!) at the hips, taking a nip in near the waist for a more fitted style.  Since this is knit, it's very forgiving...

I then made the same changes on the pattern back and then traced them onto some tissue paper because I will probably make this in a v-neck and later a turtleneck.  Since the pattern instructions are so straight forward, I just followed them with no other change necessary.

Here's the first one, made out of a jersey knit (which was a nightmare - don't do this).  It fits ok, but it is really too big in the arm and is pretty big in the neck area.  I will probably only wear this around the house.  The fabric was cheap and perfect for a trial run.  

Next, I'll show this same pattern after a few adjustments.