Fixing Men's T-Shirt Patterns: A Step-By-Step Guide

T-shirts are a staple in everyone's wardrobe, but sometimes the fit isn't quite right. Whether you're an experienced sewer or a beginner, there are plenty of ways to fix men's t-shirt patterns. From creating your own pattern to making adjustments to the sleeves, neckline, or body, there are several ways to customise a t-shirt to your liking.

How to cut a men's t-shirt pattern

Step 1: Find a T-Shirt You Love

Before you start cutting, you need to find a T-shirt that fits you well. It shouldn't be too big or too small. This will be your template for creating the pattern.

Step 2: Prepare Your T-Shirt and Paper

Turn your T-shirt inside out and lay it flat on a large piece of plain paper. Smooth out any wrinkles to ensure the T-shirt lies as flat as possible, taking care not to stretch or deform its shape.

Step 3: Trace the T-Shirt Outline

Using a pencil, carefully trace the outline of the T-shirt. Go along the sides, shoulders, back neckline, and bottom. For the arms, fold them up and draw along the line of stitching that connects the arm to the body. You'll end up with a vest-like shape.

Step 4: Cut Out the Body Pieces

Cut out the body piece you've just drawn. This will be the back piece of your T-shirt pattern. Now, use this pattern piece to cut another identical piece, but this time, cut the neckline a little lower, using your existing T-shirt as a guide. This second body piece will be the front pattern.

Step 5: Draw and Cut the Sleeve Pattern

Lay your T-shirt flat on the paper again, and focus on one of the sleeves. Draw around all three edges of the flat sleeve and the curved seam line. You'll need to fold the sleeve out of the way to draw the seam line accurately. Once you've drawn the shape, cut it out. To complete the sleeve pattern, simply draw a mirror image of the shape to extend it outwards.

Step 6: Prepare Your Fabric

Now it's time to cut your T-shirt fabric. Find a large, flat surface, like a big table. Lay your fabric over it, ensuring it's smooth, without any wrinkles, stretched bits, or distortions.

Step 7: Place and Secure the Pattern Pieces

Place one of your paper pattern pieces on top of the fabric, aligning it so that the stretch of the jersey fabric is across the width of the T-shirt. Avoid pinning the pattern in place, as this can introduce distortions or stretches. Instead, use heavy books or sewing weights to hold it securely.

Step 8: Draw and Cut the Fabric

Very carefully, draw around the edge of the pattern pieces with tailor's chalk. Try not to tug or pull on the fabric as you draw. Cut out the shape with sharp scissors or tailor's shears. Repeat this process for the front piece, back piece, and sleeves.

And that's it! You've successfully cut a men's T-shirt pattern. Now, you can move on to sewing the pieces together and adding the final touches to create your very own custom T-shirt.

How to adjust a pattern for a better fit

Finding a T-shirt that fits you perfectly can be a challenge. Luckily, there are ways to adjust a pattern for a better fit. Here are some tips and tricks to help you get the perfect fit for your T-shirt:

Adjusting the Sleeves

• Shortening the sleeves: An easy way to improve the fit of a T-shirt is to shorten the sleeves. Simply cut along the sleeve's hem, removing the stitching, and give it a little tug to gently stretch the sleeve so the unfinished edge curls. There is no need to finish the edge as it won't fray.
• Adjusting the sleeve length: If you want to adjust the sleeve length without cutting it, you can try rolling up the cuff or bottom hem and pinning it in place. Then, stitch the folded cuff/hem into place with a stretch stitch.
• Removing the sleeves: If you prefer a sleeveless look, you can cut right along the shoulder seam, removing the seam along with the sleeve. Be careful not to tug or stretch the arm openings any wider.

Adjusting the Neckline

• Opening the neckline: To make the neckline more open and comfortable, simply cut along the neckband, removing it, and give the opening a tug so the edges curl under. You can also cut the shoulder seams for a wider boatneck look.
• Creating a scoop neck: For a more scooped neckline, try drawing a "slice of pie" with a tailor's marking pencil just below the neckline. Imagine you're cutting the thinnest slice of pie, getting thinner until it makes a point at the center. Cut on the outside of your mark, tug to roll, and try it on.
• Converting to a V-neck: To convert a crewneck to a V-neck, cut along the seams of the neckline and remove it. Then, cut a "V" shape to your desired depth, making sure to cut outside your mark so nothing is left on the T-shirt.

Adjusting the Length

• Cropping the shirt: If your T-shirt is too long, you can simply cut off the bottom hem to your desired length. Give the shirt a tug to curl the edges, and you're done!
• Shortening the shirt: If you want to shorten the shirt without cropping it, press the shirt to make it smooth, and use straight pins to keep the front and back together. Mark the specific amount you want to remove with dots, then connect the dots and cut along the line.

Adjusting the Width

• Taking in the sides: If you want to make the shirt more fitted, you can take in the sides by cutting along the side seams and removing the excess fabric. Then, sew the sides back together, and you're done!
• Knotting the back: For a quick and easy way to make the shirt more fitted, simply tie a knot at the back of the shirt. Gather the fabric together behind your back, twist the bottom of the shirt, and tie a knot.
• Using safety pins: Another quick fix is to use safety pins to pinch and connect the fabric at the back of the shirt. Attach the safety pins to the inside of the shirt to hide them.

Remember to always work with a shirt that you don't mind altering, and go slow when making adjustments. Wash and try on the shirt after each adjustment to ensure the perfect fit. Happy crafting!

How to sew a men's t-shirt

Sewing a men's T-shirt is a fun and rewarding project. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Materials:

• Jersey cotton fabric for the T-shirt body (approximately 1m x 2m)
• Matching cotton thread
• A good-fitting T-shirt to create a pattern
• Large roll of plain paper to draw the pattern onto
• Tailor's shears or sharp scissors
• Tailor's chalk or an air-erasable marker
• Pins
• Seam ripper
• Iron
• Sewing machine

Step 1: Create the T-Shirt Pattern:

Rather than buying a pre-made pattern, you can make your own! Find a T-shirt that fits you well and use it as a guide. Turn the T-shirt inside out and lay it flat on a large piece of paper. Smooth out any wrinkles, then use a pencil to trace around the edges, including the sides, shoulders, and back neckline. Do not trace the arms; instead, fold them up and draw along the stitching line that connects the arm to the body, creating a vest shape. Cut out the body piece and use it to cut a second, identical piece with a slightly lower neckline for the front pattern.

Next, draw and cut out the sleeve pattern. Lay the T-shirt flat on the paper again and trace around one of the sleeves, including all three edges and the curved seam line. To complete the pattern, draw a mirror image of the sleeve shape to extend it outwards.

Step 2: Cut Out the T-Shirt Pieces:

Find a large, flat surface and lay your fabric on it, ensuring it is free of wrinkles and distortions. Place your paper pattern pieces on top, aligning the stretch of the jersey fabric across the width of the T-shirt. Instead of pinning the pattern, use heavy books or sewing weights to hold it in place. Carefully trace around the edges of the pattern pieces with tailor's chalk, then cut out the shapes with sharp scissors. You should now have a front piece, back piece, and two arms.

Step 3: Sew the T-Shirt Together:

Set your sewing machine to a straight stitch and sew approximately 1cm from the edges. Place the two T-shirt body pieces back to back with wrong sides facing out, focusing on aligning the neckline and shoulders. Pin them in place along the shoulders and sew the two pieces together along the pinned edges, leaving a hole in the middle for the neck.

Open out the two pieces so they are only joined at the shoulders. Take one arm pattern piece and find the centre point of the curved side. Line up this centre point with one of the shoulders and pin it in place, with the right sides facing in. Work outwards from this pin, carefully pinning the rest of the arm to the armhole. Sew the pinned arm piece to the body pieces along the curved edge, removing the pins as you go. Repeat this process for the other arm.

Now, fold the T-shirt back together along the shoulder seams with right sides facing in. Pin the sides together, starting at the underarm and working down to the bottom edge. Sew along the pinned sides, then fold the T-shirt inside out.

Step 4: Add the Neckline:

Cut a strip of fabric approximately 4cm wide and 45cm long, ensuring it will stretch lengthwise. Press the fabric strip flat with a medium-hot iron, then fold it in half along the long edge and press the fold in place.

Find the midpoint of the neck binding strip and line it up with the midpoint of the neck hole on the front of the T-shirt, pinning them together with the raw edges aligned. Make a mark on the binding strip 10cm to one side of the midpoint and pin this point to the shoulder seam of the neck hole. Stretch the neck binding as you pin it to the neck hole, ensuring it sits at a greater tension than the neck hole to lie flat when worn.

Set your sewing machine to a zig-zag stitch and sew along the neck binding, removing the pins as you go. When you reach the back of the neckline, unfold the two ends, pin them together, and sew them in place with a straight stitch. Trim any excess fabric, then fold the neckline in half again and sew it to the T-shirt using a zig-zag stitch.

Step 5: Finish Off the T-Shirt Edges:

Try on the T-shirt and use tailor's chalk to mark the desired length for the waist and sleeves. Add a 3-4cm seam allowance to each mark and cut off the excess fabric. Fold the raw edge over by approximately 1-2cm, then fold it over again so the raw edge is hidden. Sew over the folded edge, starting at the side of the T-shirt and working your way around. Repeat this process for the sleeves.

Your T-shirt is now complete!

How to fix a t-shirt pattern for beginners

Making the pattern

First, you'll need to find a t-shirt that fits you well. Turn this t-shirt inside out and lay it flat on a large piece of paper, smoothing out any wrinkles. Use a pencil to trace around the edge of the t-shirt, following the sides, shoulders, back neckline and bottom. For the arms, fold them upwards and draw along the line of stitching that connects the arm to the body, creating a vest shape. Cut out the body piece you've drawn and use it to cut another identical piece, cutting the neckline a little lower to create the front pattern piece.

Next, lie your t-shirt flat on the paper again and draw around one of the sleeves, following all three edges of the flat sleeve, and the curved seam line. To complete the pattern, draw a mirror image of the sleeve shape to extend it outwards. Cut out the full sleeve pattern piece.

Cutting out the pattern pieces

Find a large, flat surface and lay your fabric over it, ensuring there are no wrinkles, stretched bits or distortions. Place one of your paper pattern pieces on top, aligning it so that the stretch of the jersey fabric is across the width of the t-shirt. Rather than pinning the pattern in place, use heavy books or sewing weights to hold it down. Carefully draw around the edge of the pattern pieces with tailor's chalk, then cut out the shape with sharp scissors. You should now have a front piece, back piece and two arms.

Sewing the t-shirt together

Put your two t-shirt body pieces back to back, so the wrong sides are facing out, and pin them in place along the shoulders. Sew along the pinned shoulder edges, then open out the two pieces so they are only joined at the shoulders. Take one of your arm pattern pieces and line up the centre point of the curved side with one of the shoulders, pinning it in place with the right sides facing in. Now, pin the rest of the arm to the armhole, working outwards from the centre point along the curved edge and pinning it to the body piece. Sew the pinned arm piece to the body pieces along the curve, then repeat for the other arm.

Fold the t-shirt back together along the shoulder seam, with the front and back lined up neatly, and pin the sides together, starting at the underarm and working down to the bottom edge. Sew in place, then repeat for the other side.

Adding the neckline

Cut a strip of fabric, measuring 4cm wide by approximately 45cm long, ensuring it will stretch lengthwise rather than width-wise. Press the fabric strip flat with a medium-hot iron, then fold it in half along the long edge and press the fold in place. Find the midpoint of the neck binding strip and line it up with the midpoint of the neck hole on the front of the t-shirt, pinning the raw edges of the binding strip to the raw edge of the neck hole.

Make a mark on the binding strip 10cm to one side of the midpoint, then pin this point to the shoulder seam of the neck hole. The length of fabric between the pins should now be shorter for the neck binding than the neck hole. Carefully add more pins between the two points, gently stretching the neck binding as you go so that it lines up against the neck hole without any gaps. Repeat this process for the other quarter of the neckline, then do the same for the back of the t-shirt so that the entire neckline is pinned in place.

Set your sewing machine to a zig-zag stitch and sew along the neck binding, removing the pins as you go and gently stretching the neckline so that the binding is at a higher tension than the neck hole. When you reach the back of the neckline, stop sewing, remove the pins and unfold the two ends of the neckline, laying them flat against each other and pinning them together. Sew in place, then trim any excess fabric and fold the neckline in half again before sewing it to the t-shirt using a zig-zag stitch.

Adding the final touches

Try on the t-shirt and use tailor's chalk to mark the length you would like to cut it at the waist, sleeves and bottom hem. Add an extra 3-4cm as a seam allowance, then cut off the excess fabric. Fold the raw edge over by approximately 1-2cm, then fold it over again so that the raw edge is hidden. You can fold it inwards or outwards, depending on the finish you would like. Sew over the folded edge, keeping your sewing machine on a zig-zag stitch if your t-shirt is a tighter fit, or using a straight stitch for a looser fit. Repeat this process for the sleeves and bottom hem.

Top tips

• Don't be afraid to make mistakes – embrace them as part of the learning process!
• Choose a mid-weight jersey cotton fabric – it's stretchy, comfortable and easy to sew with.
• If you're happy with your pattern, keep it safe to use again and again!

How to fix a t-shirt pattern for different fabrics

The process of making a t-shirt pattern can be simplified by using a current t-shirt that fits well as a guide. This method can be applied to different fabrics, such as jersey cotton, rib knit, or knit jersey. Here are the steps to fix a t-shirt pattern for different fabrics:

Choose the right fabric

Select a fabric that is suitable for making a t-shirt, such as jersey cotton, which is stretchy, comfortable, and easy to sew with. Other options include rib knit, which is often used for cuffs and collars, or knit jersey fabric.

Create the pattern pieces

To create the pattern pieces, first, fold the chosen fabric in half. Place the front pattern piece on one fold, lining up the bottom of the pattern with the existing hem of the t-shirt. Cut out the pattern piece. Repeat this process for the back pattern piece. For the sleeve pattern, place it on the existing sleeves of the t-shirt and cut out two new sleeves on the fold.

Consider the stretch direction

When cutting out the fabric pieces, ensure that the stretch of the fabric is across the width of the t-shirt. For example, if using striped fabric, align the stretch direction with the stripes.

Sew the pieces together

Pin the front and back body pieces together at the shoulders, with right sides facing each other. Sew them together using a straight stitch. Repeat this process for the sleeves, pinning the middle of the sleeve curve to the middle of the armhole and then pinning down one side. Sew the sleeves to the armholes.

Finish the edges

Finish the edges of the t-shirt, such as the bottom hem and sleeve cuffs, by folding them over once or twice and sewing them in place. For a loose-fitting t-shirt, a straight stitch is sufficient. For a tighter-fitting t-shirt, use a zig-zag stitch to allow for stretch.

Add a neckline

To add a neckline, cut a strip of fabric that is approximately 4 cm wide and 45 cm long. Fold the strip in half lengthwise and press it flat with an iron. Pin the centre point of the neckline to the centre point of the front of the t-shirt, stretching the neckline slightly to fit. Continue pinning the neckline to the t-shirt, stretching it as needed. Sew the neckline in place using a zig-zag stitch, which allows for stretch.

Final touches

Try on the t-shirt and mark the desired length for the sleeves and body with tailor's chalk. Add a seam allowance of 3-4 cm and cut off the excess fabric. Fold the raw edge over once or twice and sew it in place, using a straight or zig-zag stitch depending on the fit of the t-shirt.

Frequently asked questions