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7 Steps To Sew a Shirt. Here’s The Guide
If you want an easy sewing project, follow these tips and step-by-step instructions to learn how to sew a shirt.
4 Tips for Sewing a Shirt
Sewing a basic T-shirt is easy, but there are a few tips that new sewers should follow to make the best product. Before you try to sew your own shirt at home, check out these tips.
1. Choose the right fabric. If this is your first time sewing a basic pullover T-shirt, choose an easy-to-work-with knit fabric. People often choose jersey knit or fabrics with vertical lines that stretch when the garment is put on. You could also use simple cotton fabric to make your first shirt.
2. Find a simple sewing pattern. Look for a simple T-shirt pattern that doesn’t have too many seams or buttons. Even though this T-shirt has a simple shape, there are many ways to wear it, such as with long or short sleeves or a tight or loose fit. Find a sewing pattern with a simple detail, like a front pocket or a V-neckline.
3. Keep the fabric flat. Knit fabric is very stretchy, so keep it flat as you measure, cut, and sew. Fabric stretching under your hands or hanging off the edge of your workspace will interfere with the accuracy of your measurements.
4. Use sharp tools. Use sharp fabric scissors to ensure straight cuts and protect against fraying. Every few sewing projects, replace the needle in your sewing machine to keep it sharp and working properly.
5 Materials You Will Need to Sew a Shirt
A few simple items are required to sew a shirt at home. If you’ve previously constructed DIY clothing, you may already have some of these materials on hand.
1. Fabric: Choose a fabric that is both comfortable and easy to work with, such as knit.
2. Pattern:A sewing pattern serves as a blueprint for making your shirt. Choose a T-shirt template in your size with a silhouette you like from your local fabric store. Alternatively, you might look through the multitude of free patterns available online.
3. Sewing machine: A sewing machine will allow you to sew more quickly and easily. Because the knit fabric is so easy to work with, you won’t need to use a serger (a speciality sewing machine used for edge finishes) for this project. Discover how to use a sewing machine.
4. Sewing tools: For your shirt, you’ll need basic sewing tools including pins (to hold down your pattern), tailor’s chalk (to mark your pattern), a measuring tape, and fabric scissors.
5. Iron: Throughout the sewing process, use an iron to press the seams and remove wrinkles from your fabric.
How to Sew a Shirt
To make a DIY T-shirt at home, follow this sewing tutorial.
1. Prepare your workspace. Arrange your workplace so that your tools, fabric, and pattern are easily available. Unfold the fabric so that it is flat and not hanging over the edge of your work desk. The fabric’s incorrect side (or underside) should be facing up. Put a pad underneath it if necessary to protect your work surface from pinpricks, cuts, and scratches.
2. Pin and cut out the pattern. Lay out the pattern pieces on your cloth and pin them down. Trace the pieces onto the fabric with tailor’s chalk and cut them out according to the design, leaving a half-inch seam allowance on all sides.
3. Sew the shoulder seams. Lay the front piece of the shirt on top of the back piece so that the edges are in alignment and the inside of the fabric is facing out. Pin the shoulder pieces together. Using the sewing machine, sew the front and back of the shirt together to connect the pieces.
4. Make the neckline. Sew the neckline strip in a loop. Open the front and back parts like a book so the neck hole forms a circle. Hole for neckband. Sew around the neckline to secure.
5. Add sleeves. Open and flatten your T-shirt so the neckline forms a circle. Pin a sleeve so it lies flat like the rest of the shirt. The sleeve seam allowance should be hidden under the shoulder. Pin the sleeves to the front and back at the armhole. Repeat with second sleeve. Sew the pinned sleeves.
6. Finish the sleeves and close the sides. Fold your shirt in half at the neckline so that it resembles a finished T-shirt and the front panel is layered over the back. Still face within. Reposition your T-shirt on your desk. Leave the armholes open and pin the shirt from underarm to bottom. Sew a right-side seam. Left side.
7. Hem the bottom and sleeves. Fold the bottom border of your T-shirt under twice to hide the raw edges. Press with an iron. Straight stitch the bottom hem of the shirt. To finish the project, repeat the technique for each sleeve. Turn the shirt inside out.
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