The Ultimate Guide To Owning A Textile T-Shirt

how to own textile t shirt

There are many ways to own a textile T-shirt. You can make your own by cutting and sewing fabric, or you can design and print your own using an online service. Making your own T-shirt gives you control over the look and fit, and you can use an existing T-shirt as a template. You will need a sewing machine, and it will take time and patience to master the skill. If you want to design and print your own, there are many online services that allow you to upload your own images and text, or use templates to create your own unique T-shirt.

Characteristics Values
Fabric Cotton, polyester, tri-blend, rayon, silk, chiffon, chambray, linen, nylon, jersey knit, denim, corduroy, flannel, recycled fabrics
Fabric weight Lightweight, medium-weight, heavy-weight
Fabric blends Cotton-polyester, tri-blend (cotton, polyester, rayon)
Fabric texture Slubbed fabric
Fabric type Carded cotton, ringspun cotton, combed cotton
Printing method Screen printing, direct-to-garment (DTG), sublimation printing, heat press, tie-dye
Design Graphic, text, logo, tie-dye, embroidery, heat transfer, mixed media
Sleeve type Short sleeve, long sleeve, sleeveless
Fit Slim fit, classic fit, relaxed fit
Colour White, black, navy, grey, royal blue, red, charcoal, tie-dye
Size Toddler, youth, adult

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Choosing the right fabric

When it comes to choosing the right fabric for your t-shirt, there are several factors to consider, including comfort, durability, breathability, ease of care, intended use, and cost. Here are some popular fabric options for t-shirts and their characteristics to help you make an informed decision:

Cotton

Cotton is the most widely used natural fabric for t-shirts due to its softness, breathability, comfort, and biodegradability. It is gentle on the skin and perfect for everyday casual wear. Cotton is also affordable, making it an excellent choice for those on a budget. However, cotton tends to hold moisture, resulting in longer drying times, and it is prone to wrinkling, shrinking, and fading over time. To enhance its softness and durability, look for ring-spun cotton, combed cotton, or pima cotton.

Polyester

Polyester is a synthetic fabric known for its durability and moisture-wicking properties. It is ideal for athletic wear as it dries quickly, resists wrinkles and shrinking, and maintains its shape. Polyester is also easy to care for and less prone to staining. However, it may not be the most comfortable option, and it is not biodegradable.

Cotton-Polyester Blends

Combining cotton and polyester creates a lightweight and durable blend that offers the best of both worlds. Cotton-polyester blends provide the comfort, breathability, and softness of cotton, along with the dynamic performance features of polyester, such as moisture-wicking and dimensional stability. These blends are an excellent choice for those seeking a balance of comfort and ease of maintenance.

Rayon

Rayon is a semi-synthetic fabric known for its breathability and adaptability. It can feel like anything from cotton to silk, depending on the type. Rayon is often used for athletic gear and flowy tops. While it is breathable and absorbent, rayon is not eco-friendly and tends to wrinkle easily.

Tri-Blends (Cotton, Polyester, and Rayon)

Tri-blends offer a super-soft and silky fabric that combines the benefits of cotton, polyester, and rayon. These blends result in a comfortable, durable, and lightweight t-shirt. However, tri-blends can be more expensive due to the combination of three different fabrics.

Linen

Linen is a natural fabric made from flax plant fibers, known for its lightweight and breathable qualities. It is an excellent choice for warm climates as it is airy, comfortable, and absorbs moisture without feeling damp. Linen is also durable and resistant to rotting and odours. However, it requires regular ironing and is prone to wrinkling and shrinkage. Linen is generally more expensive than other fabrics.

Other Fabrics

Other fabrics used for t-shirts include flannel, corduroy, and twill. Flannel is soft and warm, ideal for cooler weather, while corduroy is durable and distinctive for its ribbed texture. Twill is a versatile and durable fabric with a diagonal weave pattern, providing a unique texture and appearance.

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Cutting the fabric

Now that you have your pattern, it's time to cut your fabric. Here are the steps you need to follow:

  • Prepare your fabric: It's a good idea to wash and dry your fabric before cutting. This will prevent shrinkage later on. Think about the type of fabric you want to use. Most t-shirts use knit fabric, which is softer and more breathable than woven fabric.
  • Lay out your fabric: Give yourself plenty of room to work. Try to work on a table rather than the floor. Fold the fabric in half, making sure the selvages (woven edges) are together. Your fabric will have a "right side" and a "wrong side." Keep the right sides facing each other when you fold your fabric.
  • Arrange your pattern: Take the pieces of your pattern and arrange them on your fabric according to your cutting instructions. Some patterns will indicate "cut one on the fold" or "cut two on the fold." Line these pieces up along the fold of your fabric.
  • Pin your pattern pieces: Use straight pins to secure your pattern pieces to the fabric before cutting. Start by pinning the corners, then pin along the edges. If you prefer, you can weigh down the fabric and use chalk to draw an outline.
  • Cut your fabric: Hold the fabric down with one hand and cut with the other. Take your time and use long strokes. Keep the scissors at a 90-degree angle to your cutting surface.

Tips for Cutting Fabric:

  • Use sharp fabric scissors: Make sure your scissors are specifically designed for cutting fabric. Dull scissors can cause uneven cuts.
  • Iron your fabric: Press your fabric after washing and drying it to ensure it's as smooth as possible before cutting.
  • Work on a hard, flat surface: Cutting on a soft surface can lead to inaccurate cuts.
  • Cut with the stretch of the fabric: When arranging your pattern pieces, align them so that the stretch of the fabric goes across the width of the t-shirt. This will ensure a comfortable fit.
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Sewing the fabric

Sewing the Shoulders

Take the front and back pieces of your shirt and line them up. Make sure the right sides are facing each other, and pin them together at the shoulders. Sew the shoulders together using a straight stitch on your sewing machine. When you're finished sewing, iron out the seams.

Sewing the Neckband

Take the piece of fabric you cut for your neckband and sew the two short ends together using a straight stitch. Your neckband should now be a loop. Fold the neckband piece in half lengthwise with the wrong sides together. Pin the edges and sew them together using a narrow zig-zag stitch.

Attaching the Neckband

Pin the neckband to the shirt. Lay the shirt open and flat, 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 back. Put one more pin between each point. You may need to stretch the neckband slightly to fit it into the neckline. This is fine, as you want the neckband to be smaller than the neckline to ensure a comfortable fit. Sew the neckband using a straight stretch stitch or a zig-zag stitch. Sew one section at a time, stretching the fabric of the neckband as you go. Remove the pins as you sew and check that the fabric of the shirt is not pleating beneath the neckband. When you finish sewing the neckband, go over it with an iron to press the seams.

Sewing 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. Pin the sleeve along each side of the armhole. Use a straight stitch to sew the sleeve onto the shirt. Repeat this process with the other sleeve. Once you have attached both sleeves, iron the seams.

Sewing the Sides

Keep the right sides of the fabric together and 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. Start at the end of the sleeve and work your way down the side of the shirt.

Hemming the Bottom Edge and Sleeves

Fold between 1/2" to 1" of fabric under the bottom edge of the shirt. Iron this fabric down and use either a straight or zigzag stitch to sew your hem. Press the hem once more when you have finished sewing. Repeat this process for each of the sleeves.

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Printing the design

Firstly, you will need to purchase t-shirt transfer paper. This paper can be used to do dye sublimation printing, one of the most popular methods for printing on t-shirts. You can find this special heat transfer paper anywhere that sells stationery or printer paper. There are two types of transfer paper: one for white or pastel shirts, and one for darker colours.

Next, select a high-quality image for your t-shirt design. This can be any image saved on your computer. If you only have a physical copy of the image, scan it and save it to your computer, or take a photograph of it and transfer it to your computer. If you plan on selling your t-shirts, only use your original designs or photos.

Now, you need to mirror the image if you are using light-coloured transfer paper. Transfer paper for light-coloured shirts creates a mirror image on your t-shirt, so you will need to flip the design. You can do this by looking for a "reverse" or "mirror" setting in the print options window, or by flipping the image in an image editing program. If you skip this step, any text in your design will be unreadable. Do not reverse the image if you are using transfer paper for darker shirts.

Before you print your design, check the preview to confirm that the image fits onto your paper. If it is too large, select "fit to scale" in the print options, or scale it down in an image editing program. When printing, make sure you are using the correct type of printer, such as an inkjet printer.

Once you have printed your design, cut out the image. Any paper left around the image will show up as a thin film on the t-shirt, so use a ruler and an Exacto knife to get an accurate cut.

Now, cover a hard, flat surface with a cotton pillowcase. This surface should be able to withstand heat, so avoid using a laminate countertop. A table, countertop, or cutting board are good options. Set your iron to a high temperature and turn off the steam. For best results, use an iron with at least 1200 watts of power.

Place your t-shirt over the pillowcase and iron it until it is completely flat. Any wrinkles will show up in the transferred image.

Place your paper onto the t-shirt, with the image facing down for light-coloured shirts, and facing up for dark-coloured shirts. Line up the centre of the image with the centre of your t-shirt neckline.

Iron the image onto the t-shirt. Press the iron firmly over the clothing, pushing down with your whole hand for significant pressure. Iron the image for 30 seconds to several minutes, depending on the instructions that came with your transfer paper. Try not to move the iron around too much, as you need to provide constant heat to ensure the design transfers properly.

Let the area cool for a few minutes, then peel the paper off. You have now created your own custom t-shirt!

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Caring for your t-shirt

Washing

  • Wash with similar colours.
  • Wash and dry your t-shirt inside out.
  • Use the right amount of detergent.
  • Treat stains immediately.
  • Wash only when needed.
  • Wash with cold water.
  • Avoid using bleach or fabric softeners.

Drying

  • Avoid tumble drying.
  • Hang dry your t-shirts.
  • Avoid direct sunlight when air-drying.
  • Delicate cotton fabrics should be hung over a rail.

Ironing

  • Refer to the care label to understand the correct temperature.
  • Iron on reverse.
  • Use the steam function on your iron.
  • Alternatively, use a steamer instead of a conventional iron.

Storage

  • Store your t-shirts folded and lying on a flat surface.
  • If you prefer to hang your t-shirts, use wide hangers so the weight is distributed more evenly.
  • Avoid sunlight during storage.

Frequently asked questions

Cotton is the ideal fabric for t-shirts as it is a natural fibre that is comfortable, soft and breathable. Cotton blends and tri-blends are the next best options as they are just as comfortable as 100% cotton, but tend to shrink less and are more lightweight.

To make your own t-shirt, you will need a sewing machine and some fabric. First, pin a t-shirt that fits you to a piece of tracing paper and trace the patterns for the front, back, sleeves and neckband, adding a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Then, pin and cut your fabric before sewing the pieces together.

There are many online platforms that allow you to design your own t-shirt, such as Canva and Custom Ink. These websites offer design tools and templates to help you create your desired t-shirt design.

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