PROJECT #9 : THE SILK T

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Here is how you make this elegant but sophisticated and simple T shirt. I used silk charmeuse but you can use basically any shirting weight fabric. It will fit and flatter any body type and size. All you need is 1 yard of fabric and about 2 hours to make this sweet T! Please note, silk is harder to sew, so if you are a beginner I suggest using cotton fabric.

Material:

1.) 1 yard silk or light weight cotton fabric
2.) thread
3.) pins
4.) scissors
5.) measuring tape
6.) sewing machine
7.) marker or chalk
8.) 1/4" bias binding (optional)
9.) Pattern paper or approximately 26"x24" size paper (taped)
10.) yard stick or long ruler

Duration: 2 - 2 1/2 hours
Sewing Level: Beginner

1. We will make a simple pattern for this T shirt. Using paper pattern or printer paper taped together to be sized about 24" width x26" length, draw a the top and center imaginary line.

2. Mark the hem line to be 26" (can be shorter or longer as you desire)

3. Draw 2 straight vertical lines 24" apart or 12" from center front imaginary line.

(After you draw #5 below, redraw the side seams so that right under the armhole it curved in about 1/2" and blend back to 0" at bottom hem. This makes it easier when you are sewing the bottom of the armhole.)

4. Mark 3 1/2" down from the top, for shoulder slope.

5. From the shoulder slope, mark 9" down for armhole opening.

6. At top center mark 10 1/2" in width or 5 1/4" from center front imaginary line.  From the center, mark 7 1/2" down, then draw your front curved neckline. The back will drop 1" from top line and curve as well. Please note, you don't have to make a separate pattern for the back as the only difference is the neckline. Just make sure to cut the front and back necklines separately when cutting the fabric!

You did it! You have a pattern that you made from scratch! As you can see that was pretty easy! The body circumference is 48" so this will fit size small to large. For your visual reference, the mannequin is a size 4/small.

7. Now, for cutting the fabric. My suggestion is to fold the fabric so you can cut the front and back together. Just make sure to cut the front and back neck line separately!

8. You have to make sure the fabric ends are on the left and right side when placing your pattern to be cut. The ends of the fabric or salvage is layed horizontally so that the "grain" of the fabric will drape properly.

9. For sewing, I used a marrow machine and used binding for the neckline then top stitched the edge of the neck line. You can use binding or finish the edges by using the zig zag stitch or marrow, then fold inward and stitch down.

Good luck and Enjoy!

** If you like this project, you may also like 1 hour or less silk vest. Click here for project #24!