Crafting T-Shirts: A Simple Or Complex Process?

how hard to make a t shirt

Making a T-shirt is a great beginner-friendly project for those who are new to sewing. It can be done in under an hour and is a good way to practice sewing knits.

To make a T-shirt, you will need a sewing machine, a T-shirt that fits you well, fabric, and basic sewing supplies such as a needle and thread. You will also need to create a pattern by tracing the T-shirt you want to replicate onto paper, adding a seam allowance of about 1/2 inch. Then, cut out your fabric pieces according to the pattern and sew them together.

There are a few specific tools and tricks that can help you make a T-shirt. For example, using a serger or a stretch stitch on your sewing machine will ensure that your stitches don't pop when you stretch the fabric. Additionally, using ballpoint needles can help prevent skipped stitches when sewing knits.

Characteristics Values
Time Time-consuming
Cost Costly
Difficulty Depends on the complexity of the design
Skills Sewing, pattern-making, cutting, ironing
Tools Sewing machine, fabric, pattern cutting board, tracing paper, straight pins, cardboard, pencil, ruler, scissors, tailor's chalk, iron

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Choosing the right fabric

  • Fabric Type: The most common T-shirt fabrics include cotton, polyester, linen, rayon, and various blends. Each fabric type has unique properties that influence the comfort, breathability, durability, and cost of the T-shirt. Cotton, for example, is known for its softness, breathability, and absorbency, while polyester offers durability, wrinkle resistance, and quick-drying properties.
  • Fabric Weight: The weight of the fabric, typically measured in grams per square meter (GSM), affects the T-shirt's suitability for different weather conditions and activities. Lightweight fabrics (around 100-150 GSM) are ideal for warm climates, while heavyweight fabrics (200+ GSM) are better for cooler weather. Mid-weight fabrics (150-200 GSM) offer a balance between breathability and durability.
  • Comfort: Choose a fabric that feels comfortable against your skin. Natural fibres like cotton and linen are generally softer and more breathable than synthetic fabrics. The fabric's texture, composition, and weight all contribute to its comfort level.
  • Durability: Consider the longevity of the fabric. High-quality fabrics, such as combed cotton or blends, tend to maintain their shape, colour, and integrity better over time. Fabrics with added spandex or elastane also offer improved durability and flexibility.
  • Print Compatibility: If you plan to print designs on your T-shirt, choose a fabric that holds ink well and provides a smooth surface for printing. Cotton is typically a good choice for vibrant and long-lasting prints, while polyester works well with certain dye sublimation techniques that can achieve vivid colours and designs.
  • Climate and Intended Use: Consider the climate and how you plan to use the T-shirt. For hot weather, choose breathable and lightweight fabrics. For athletic wear, select fabrics with moisture-wicking properties and stretch. For casual wear, focus on comfort and style.
  • Cost: Evaluate the financial and environmental costs of the fabric. Natural fabrics like cotton may be more affordable, while synthetic or specialty fabrics can be more expensive. Blended fabrics, such as cotton-polyester blends, can offer a balance between cost and performance.

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Creating a pattern

  • A cardboard pattern-cutting board or a large piece of cardboard
  • Acrylic rulers or quilting rulers
  • Tracing paper or medical exam table paper
  • Straight pins
  • A pencil
  • A t-shirt to use as a pattern
  • Fabric shears or scissors
  • Gather your supplies and lay out your paper, giving yourself plenty of room to work with.
  • Fold your t-shirt in half vertically, with the front half on the outside, and lay it on the paper. Smooth it out.
  • Start pinning the seam lines with your straight pins, keeping them upright and pushing them into the cardboard. Use more pins along curved seam lines for a more accurate measurement.
  • Remove the pins from the t-shirt and lift it off the paper. You should see the holes you made.
  • Trace your pattern by marking the holes with your pencil and connecting the dots with a ruler. Outline the entire half of the t-shirt, then round out the corners on the neckline and armhole. Label the pattern with the original garment type, size, and piece (front or back). Remember to mark the fold line and make a note to cut one on the fold.
  • Repeat the pinning process for the back of the shirt, folding the t-shirt so that the back is on the outside. Remember to mark the fold line and label this piece as the back of the shirt. Label the pattern accordingly.
  • Pin the sleeves by flattening the sleeve on the paper and pinning the seams. Keep the sleeve as flat as possible. Follow the same tracing process, and label the sleeve piece, making a note to cut two on the fold.
  • Make a neckband pattern by turning your shirt inside out and matching up the shoulders. Pin the four corners of the neckband and place some pins in the center as well. Use your ruler to make the neckband piece into a rectangle, doubling the width on your pattern piece to account for the fold. Subtract about an inch from the length to account for the stretch of the neckband. Label the pattern piece and make a note to cut one on the fold.
  • Add seam allowances to your pattern pieces using your ruler. Go back through your pattern pieces and add about 1/2" seam allowance. Measure the hems on the sleeves and shirt bottom and add that amount to the corresponding pattern.
  • Cut your pattern out around the outer edge, leaving some space so you are not cutting along the seam allowance lines. You should have four pieces: one sleeve, one front, one back, and a neckband. Make sure each piece is properly labelled, and store your pattern in a folder or large envelope.

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Cutting out the pattern pieces

Firstly, gather your supplies. You will need a cardboard pattern-cutting board or a large piece of cardboard with grid lines, acrylic quilting rulers, and tracing paper or medical exam table paper. These supplies will make measuring and cutting the pattern pieces much easier.

Now, you can start creating the pattern pieces. Begin by laying out your paper on the cardboard and cutting a piece of tracing paper slightly larger than the T-shirt you will be measuring. Then, fold your T-shirt in half vertically, with the front half on the outside, and pin it to the paper, smoothing it out as you go. Use straight pins to pin the seam lines, keeping the pins upright and pushing them into the cardboard. Remember to use more pins along curved seam lines for a more accurate measurement.

Once you have pinned all the way around the shirt, carefully remove the pins and lift the shirt off the paper. You should now see the holes created by the pins. Use a pencil to mark these holes so they are easier to see, then use your ruler to connect the dots and outline the entire half of the T-shirt. Don't forget to round out the corners on the neckline and armhole for a smooth finish. Label this piece as the front of the shirt and make a note to cut one on the fold.

Repeat this process for the back of the shirt, folding the T-shirt so that the back is now on the outside. Remember to label this piece accordingly.

Next, we will create the sleeve pattern piece. Flatten the sleeve on the paper and pin the seams, keeping the sleeve as flat as possible. Follow the same tracing process as before, and label the sleeve piece, noting that you will need to cut two sleeves on the fold.

Now, let's create the neckband pattern. Turn your shirt inside out and match up the shoulders, pinning the four corners of the neckband and adding a few pins in the centre for stability. Use your ruler to make the neckband into a rectangle by doubling the width, and subtract about an inch from the length to account for stretch. Label this piece accordingly, and make a note to cut one on the fold.

Finally, add seam allowances to all your pattern pieces. Use your ruler to add about a 1/2" seam allowance to each piece, and don't forget to measure and add the hems for the sleeves and shirt bottom.

And there you have it! You should now have four pattern pieces: one sleeve, one front, one back, and a neckband. Make sure each piece is properly labelled, and store your pattern in a folder or large envelope for safekeeping.

Now that you have your pattern pieces, you are one step closer to making your own T-shirt!

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Sewing the pieces together

Sewing a T-shirt is a great beginner project. It's easy to sew a T-shirt once you've cut out the pattern pieces from your fabric. Here's a step-by-step guide to sewing the pieces of a T-shirt together:

Sewing the Shoulder Seams

Pin the front and back body pieces of your T-shirt together, with the right sides facing inwards. Stitch straight across one shoulder seam, then cut the thread and stitch straight across the other shoulder seam.

Attaching the Neckband

Open the shirt and lay it flat at the shoulders, with the right side facing down. Place the ribbed collar over the neckline opening and pin it in place. The collar will be smaller than the neckline, so gently stretch the collar as you pin it, keeping the ribbing evenly spaced. Using a zigzag stitch, sew along the raw edge of the collar, using a 1/4 inch (6 mm) seam allowance.

Attaching the Sleeves

Keep the shirt open and flat at the shoulder, but flip it over so that the right side faces up. Position the sleeves right-side down and pin in place, starting by matching the middle of the sleeve curve to the middle of the armhole. Gradually position and pin the rest of the sleeve curve to the rest of the armhole, working on one side at a time. Repeat this process for both sleeves. With the right sides facing down, sew a straight stitch along both sleeves, connecting them to the armholes.

Sewing the Side Seams

Fold the shirt with its right sides facing and sew a straight stitch down the entire right side of the shirt, working from the tip of the underarm seam straight down to the bottom opening. Repeat on the left side of the shirt.

Hemming the Sleeves and Bottom

With the right sides still facing, fold up the bottom edge and sleeves of your T-shirt according to your original seam allowance. Pin or press the fold in place, then stitch around the openings. Make sure that you only stitch the hem in place and do not sew the front and back sides of the shirt together. Most knit fabrics are fray-resistant, so you may not need to sew a bottom hem, but it will create a neater appearance if you do.

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Adding the finishing touches

Now that you've sewn your T-shirt, it's time to add the finishing touches. These last steps are nice and easy. Before you know it, your new handmade T-shirt will be ready to wear!

Step 1: Try on the T-shirt

Put the T-shirt on. Let the fabric drop naturally, ensuring it's not bunched up anywhere. Use tailor's chalk to make a small mark on the waist section, at the length you would like to cut it. Do the same for each of the arms.

Step 2: Cut off the excess fabric

Take the T-shirt off and find the three marks you made. At each point, add an extra 3-4cm as a seam allowance. Then cut off the excess fabric.

Step 3: Fold the raw edge

Starting at the waist section, fold the raw edge (that you've just cut) over by approximately 1-2cm. Then fold it over another 1-2cm, so the raw edge is hidden. You can fold it either inwards or outwards, depending on the finish you would like your T-shirt to have.

Step 4: Sew the folded edge

Then, starting at the side of the T-shirt, sew over the folded edge. Keep sewing all the way around the waist, until you loop back on yourself. If your T-shirt has a slightly loose fit (i.e. you do not need to stretch the arms or body to get it on), then you can use a straight stitch for this step. However, if your T-shirt is a tighter fit, make sure you use a zig-zag stitch. The most important thing with this step is to ensure you do not stretch the fabric as you sew it! Gently guide the fabric through the machine, without stretching it.

Step 5: Repeat for the sleeves

Finally, repeat the exact same process for each of the arms.

Your T-shirt is now complete! If it doesn't quite fit perfectly, or if it's gone a bit wonky in places, then don't worry. It's normal for your first attempts to be less than perfect. Try again and you'll soon get the hang of it.

Frequently asked questions

This depends on the type of T-shirt you want to make and your body size. As a general rule, you'll need around 1m x 2m of fabric to make a T-shirt.

A mid-weight jersey cotton is a good all-rounder; it's stretchy, comfortable, and easy to sew with.

You need to use a sewing technique that ensures your stitches won't pop when you stretch the fabric. You can use a serger, or a sewing machine with an overlock stitch or a stretch stitch.

Use ballpoint needles to sew on knit fabrics. If you're using a slinkier knit, you can also try attaching a walking foot to your machine to help feed the fabric through without stretching it out of proportion.

An experienced sewer can sew a T-shirt in under an hour. However, if you're a beginner, it may take longer as you familiarise yourself with the process and techniques.

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