Creating A T-Shirt: A Simple Guide For Beginners

Making a T-shirt is a fun and creative way to express yourself. Whether you're an aspiring fashion designer or just looking for a unique addition to your wardrobe, creating a T-shirt from scratch is a rewarding project. It can be a bit daunting, especially if you're new to sewing or designing clothes. However, with the right tools, techniques, and a bit of patience, you can make a simple T-shirt that's both comfortable and stylish.

The first step is to gather your supplies and decide on a design. You'll need a sewing machine, fabric, and other basic sewing essentials. Consider the type of fabric you want to use; knit fabrics, like cotton or a blend of cotton and polyester, are popular choices for T-shirts as they are soft, breathable, and comfortable to wear. You can also get creative and use the fabric from an old T-shirt to give it new life.

Once you have your supplies, it's time to create a pattern. You can use an existing T-shirt as a guide or design your own pattern from scratch. Trace the outline of the T-shirt onto tracing paper, adding a seam allowance of about 1/2 inch around the edges. This will be your pattern piece.

Now it's time to cut your fabric. Fold the fabric in half, making sure the selvages (the woven edges) are together, and place your pattern pieces on top. Pin the corners of the pattern first, then continue pinning along the edges. Carefully cut out your fabric pieces, making sure to cut smoothly and accurately.

With your fabric pieces ready, you can start sewing. Begin by sewing the shoulders of the front and back pieces together. Then, create and attach the neckband, pinning it to the neckline and sewing it in place with a zigzag stitch to allow for stretch. Next, sew the sleeves to the armholes, and finally, sew the side seams, starting at the end of the sleeve and working your way down the side of the shirt.

To finish your T-shirt, you can add a hem at the bottom and sleeves. Fold under the fabric and sew it in place with a straight or zigzag stitch. And that's it! You've created a simple T-shirt that's ready to be worn and enjoyed.

Choosing the right fabric

Type of Fabric

The two basic types of fabric for T-shirts are knit and woven fabrics. Knit fabrics, such as cotton or a blend of cotton and polyester, are softer, more breathable, and comfortable to wear. They are also more flexible, making them ideal for T-shirts. Woven fabrics, on the other hand, are less stretchy and can be more difficult to work with, but they are durable and suitable for other types of clothing.

Fabric Quality

When choosing a knit fabric, look for one that is soft and breathable. Check the fabric's composition to ensure it contains natural fibres like cotton, which is soft and comfortable. Avoid stiff or cheap fabrics, as they can be itchy and uncomfortable. If you're using a second-hand T-shirt as a source of fabric, rub your fingers over the fabric to ensure it's soft enough.

Fabric Design

Consider the design and colour of the fabric. If you're using a pre-made T-shirt as a source of fabric, check that the existing design and colour will work for your new T-shirt. If you're buying fabric, choose a design and colour that appeals to you and suits the style of the T-shirt. You can also opt for a plain fabric and add your own designs later.

Amount of Fabric

Determine how much fabric you need based on the size and style of the T-shirt you want to make. If you're using a pre-made T-shirt as a source of fabric, make sure it's large enough to provide the necessary pieces. If you're buying fabric, consider buying a little extra to allow for mistakes or future projects.

Ribbing

If you're adding ribbing to the neckline or cuffs, choose a knit fabric with long vertical ribs. Cut the ribbing slightly smaller than the space it will occupy to allow for stretch and a snug fit. You can find ribbing fabric in stores or online, or upcycle it from old T-shirts.

Washing and Care

Consider the washing and care instructions of the fabric. Some fabrics may shrink when washed, so it's essential to wash and dry the fabric before sewing to prevent this. Also, think about the durability of the fabric and whether it will require special care to maintain its quality.

Sewing the shoulders

If you're using ribbing for the neckline, cut a strip of ribbing 11 to 11.5 inches by 2 inches, or to your desired width. Remember to cut perpendicular to the ribs. Iron the ribbing in half, then open it up and fold it in half the other way (with right sides of the fabric together). Sew the strip together using a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

Now you're ready to sew the ribbing to the neckline. Lay the shirt open flat at the shoulders and place the folded neck ribbing over the neckline. The ribbing should be smaller than the space it occupies, allowing for a comfy fitted neckline. Pin the raw edges of the ribbing to the raw edge of the neckline, first at the centre back of the T-shirt, then at the centre front. Stretch the ribbing with your hand so it fits around the rest of the neckline, then pin it in place. Sew the ribbing to the neckline using a 1/4-inch seam allowance and a zig-zag stitch, stretching the ribbing slightly as you sew to avoid gathers or folds in the fabric. Iron the ribbing flat at the collar.

Adding a neckband

Now that the shoulders are sewn together, it's time to add the neckband. This is a crucial step in ensuring a comfortable fit for your T-shirt. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Create the Neckband

Take the piece of fabric you cut for the neckband and sew the two short ends together using a straight stitch. Your neckband should now form a loop. Next, fold the neckband piece in half lengthwise, ensuring the wrong sides are together. Pin the edges and sew them together using a narrow zig-zag stitch.

Step 2: Pin the Neckband to the Shirt

Lay the shirt open and flatten the shoulders. Pin the neckband to the neckline on the right side of the fabric. Start by pinning the neckband at the shoulders, then the centre, and finally the back. After these four points are pinned, add one more pin between each pinned point to secure the neckband in place.

You may need to stretch the neckband slightly to fit it perfectly around the neckline. This is normal and ensures a snug fit. The neckband should be slightly smaller than the neckline for a comfortable fit.

Step 3: Sew the Neckband

Use either a straight stretch stitch or a zig-zag stitch, depending on your preference and the fabric's stretch. Sew one section at a time, stretching the fabric of the neckband as you go. After finishing each section, remove the pins and check that the fabric of the shirt is not pleating beneath the neckband.

Once you've sewn the entire neckband, go over it with an iron to press the seams and give it a neat finish.

Tips for a Perfect Neckband:

• The key to a well-fitting neckband is cutting it slightly smaller than the neckline. This allows it to stretch and provide a comfortable fit.
• Be liberal with the pinning when attaching the neckband to the shirt. This ensures that the fabric doesn't shift while sewing, resulting in a neat and secure finish.
• When sewing the neckband, stretch it slightly as you go to avoid gathers or folds in the fabric.
• If you notice any pleats or gathers in the fabric after sewing, simply remove a few stitches with a seam ripper, smooth out the fabric, and resew that area.

Stitching the sleeves

Now that the shoulders and neckband are sewn, it's time to stitch the sleeves. Lay the shirt out flat and pin the middle of the sleeve curve to the middle of the armhole. Keep the right sides of the fabric together.

Continue pinning the sleeve down one side of the armhole to the end of the armhole. Do this for the other side of the armhole as well, and for the other sleeve too. Sew the sleeve to the armhole with a 3/8-inch seam allowance and iron out your seams.

Repeat this process with the other sleeve. Once you have attached both sleeves to your shirt, iron the seams.

Sewing the side seams

With the right sides of the fabric together, pin along the sides of the shirt. Start by pinning the sleeve sides first and work your way down to the hemline. Use a straight stitch to sew the sides of the shirt together. Begin at the end of the sleeve and work your way down the side of the shirt.

If you have a side tag, throw it into the side seam about 2 inches from the bottom.

When you have sewn down the sleeve and reached the armpit, continue sewing down the side seam with a straight stitch.

Frequently asked questions