Its Kids Clothes Week and I'm sewing up a few summer essentials for my kids! T shirts are at the top of my must sew list. V neck tees in particular. Because they are not always available in retail stores, I did what any other momma would do ... make him a couple (or five). I found this cool neon green and heather grey striped knit fabric and knew I had to make my Sunny a V neck tee shirt out of it. Want to know how to make your own...
Whether you are using your favorite basic t shirt pattern or refashioning a crew neck tee, follow these easy steps to make your own V neck Tee shirt:
If you are using a pattern, cut out all of your pattern pieces, except for the neckband/ribbing.
Measure how deep you want the V neck to be. Add ¾ inch to that measurement, then make a small marking on the center front shirt. Draw a line from the shoulder seam to that marking. You should have a V neck.
To prepare the ribbing:
Measure the neck opening.
Width: Decide how wide you want the ribbing to be. 3/4 inch is pretty standard for tee shirts. For a ribbing with a finished width of 3/4 inch, it would need to be 2 inches wide (3/4 + 1/4 seam allowance = 1 inch x 2).
Length: The length of the ribbing is dependent on how stretchy the ribbing is. I normally cut 2/3 of the neck opening measurement if the ribbing is "super stretchy" and 3/4 of the neck measurement if the ribbing in "not that stretchy". Use your own judgement when deciding whether or not to round up or down.
(My neck opening is 17 inches, so I cut a piece of ribbing 12 inches long and 2 inches wide.)
Fold the ribbing in half. Press. Then overlap the neckband/ribbing (right over left or left over right)
Stay stitch the ribbing in place. I used 1/4 inch since I will be sewing the t shirt on a serger. This stay stitch will also serve as your seam allowance guide.
Attach the front and back shirt pieces together at the shoulder seams.
Add a stay stitch around the V neck line. Try not to stretch the fabric
Snip the V as close to the stay stitch without sniping the stitch. (This is kind of important.)
With right sides together, match up the center point of the ribbing with the snip that was made in the V, pin in place. You should notice an X formed with the stay stitches
Drop the needle in the center of the newly formed X.
Pivot the fabric so that the ribbing is laying on top of the shirt. Sew about an inch. Return to the center. Sew about an inch in the opposite direction.
I like to sew in the V first to make sure its laying centered and flat.
Don't worry about the exposed stay stitches, you can pick them out later. Once you are happy with the way the V looks, pin the center back ribbing to the center back neck and sew the remainder of the ribbing around the neckline stretching the ribbing as you go.
Attached the sleeves. This would be a good time to hem the sleeves (use a twin needle for a finished look)
Hem the bottom of the shirt. 
We're finished!
Girl, I am SO glad I found your blog. Sewing is one thing I've always wanted to learn how to do, and your tutorials are awesome!!
ReplyDeleteI love this shirt! I really don't work with knits b/c I don't have a surger. I have made a couple things with knits using the zig-zag stitch and it worked okay. I began sewing back in June and am loving it. I look forward to making clothes eventually! I don't have children but I would love to sew clothes for myself. I really, really love that I've found your blog. Your kids are adorable. Thanks for sharing about your life!!
ReplyDelete