T is for t-shirts, 1976

              Cooperative
C xtension
T /s for T-Shirts
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Making a T-shirt is a simple matter. The fabric
used is usually a lightweight, single or double knit
selected from a wide variety of colors and fabric
designs. Preshrink the fabric before it is used by
laundering it as you will launder the finished garment.
Single knit fabrics tend to curl, so avoid unnecessary stretching. To reduce curling during preshrinking,
machine or hand baste the cut edges and selvages together. After the fabric has been washed and dried,
the basting can be removed.
Selecting a Pattern
Select a T-shirt pattern in the size you normally
use. Patterns "for stretch knits only" are sized accordingly. T-shirts usually have no darts-the stretch
of the fabric takes care of fitting body curves. If you
normally alter the pattern in length, bust, or shoulder
width, do so on the T-shirt pattern.
Check the pattern to determine the size of the
seam allowances. They may vary from 1/8 to 5/8
inches depending on the kind of pattern used. If the
pattern has 5/8 inch seams, you may want to trim
them to 1/4 or 3/8 inch-especially the neckline,
sleeves, and armholes. The smaller seam allowances
will make sewing these seams much easier.
Stitching
Sew seams with straight, zig-zag, stretch, or overcast stitching. When a straight stitch is used, loosen
the machine tension and shorten the stitch length to
achieve some "stretch" in the stitching. Two rows of
straight stitches on each seam will prevent seamlines
from breaking easily. If a zig-zag, stretch, or overcast
stitch is used, adjust the length and tension as needed
to achieve a smooth stitch.
Stabilizing
Twill tape, seam binding, or a piece of woven selvage should be sewn into shoulder seams to help
stabilize them. Seams forming decorative yokes or
midriffs may be stabilized too. Center the tape over
the seamline and sew through it as the seam is sewn.
Finishing Edges
After seams are sewn, trim close to the line of
stitching. Side seams can be pressed to the front or
to the back. Press sleeve seams toward the sleeve. The
shoulder seams are usually pressed toward the back.
Neckline edges and hems are often finished by
turning them under 1/2 inch and top-stitching. Or,
the pattern may call for binding edges with self-fabric
or contrasting trim. Ribbed trimming can also be used
to finish the neckline and hem edges.
If you want to bind the edges or use ribbed trimming and the pattern does not call for it, a slight
alteration is necessary. Cut off seam allowances of
the areas to be bound. Where ribbing is to be used,
cut from each edge an amount equal to the width of
the trimming that will be added.
If there is no pattern piece for the binding, cut a
piece of self-fabric 1 1/2 inches wide and the length
of the neckline minus 1 inch. Cut this piece on
crosswise grain of fabric.
For ribbed trimming on a crew style neckline,
cut a piece of ribbing long enough to pull over your
head easily. For a lowered neckline, cut as for self-
binding minus 2 to 3 inches. The width should be
twice the finished width plus two seam allowances.
The finished ribbing for a crew neckline will be about
1 inch wide. For a lowered neckline plan for the
ribbed trimming to be no wider than 3/4 to 1/2 inch.