My first shirt for myself

Hello, dear all,

For some time now, a T-shirt or long shirt for myself has been on my sewing learning plan. So first of all, one to practice on, because I’m still a sewing beginner. From my fabric stash I took two different jersey fabrics that, color-wise, aren’t really my thing. This wasn’t about the pattern or the colors (because I really don’t like beige at all), but for my purpose that didn’t matter. This was about taking my time to work on the pattern.

I bought a basic pattern for a T-shirt . But who has “standard measurements”? I certainly don’t. So first I cut the front and back pieces from the fabric in my size 42, then basted the front and back together and tried it on. It was much too wide at the waist and under the arms. So I corrected the paper pattern in those areas.

Just taping the many A4 sheets together into a finished pattern was a science in itself. But you have to practice that. The important thing is to first tape the A4 sheets together only in the correct order and only then cut out the pattern — otherwise you lose track. In the picture you can see half a front piece on the right and half a back piece on the left.



After that I also corrected the fabric cut pieces. Then I sewed the two pieces together. Since jersey is stretchy, I was able to do without bust darts (that would have been too complicated for me anyway). I wanted the overall fit to be loose, but still figure-hugging and fitted at the waist.



In the end, this is what came out. I wondered why the back piece is wider at the bottom than the front piece. That was how it was indicated on the pattern, and I left it that way. Most women probably need “extra” fabric here. I don’t. So I’ll adjust the back piece here for myself and make it just as wide as the front piece.



At the end of the relaxed crafting day, it was finished—my first T-shirt for myself. There is still a lot to improve, yes, I know. I didn’t have the right thread colors or qualities. And I would never want a shirt where the front and back have different patterns. And I still need to practice “straight seams.” Mine aren’t always that even. And when you topstitch from the outside, you have to be sure that the folded-over hem also reaches the seam. There are quite a lot of things to pay attention to.

For my next shirt I will
- definitely use sewing thread in matching colors.
- make the shirt a little narrower at the waist and
- make it 1 cm longer overall (so adjust the paper pattern again)
- make the back piece at the bottom just as wide as the front piece

I like it when shirts are longer, because I often wear them comfortably at home with leggings. And I always like it fitted at the waist, because I think that gives a nice shape.

So, enough talking. Now you may look and also critique.

I was also unsure about the seams. Yes, it’s jersey and you have to use a stretch stitch. But if it isn’t supposed to fit skin-tight, can’t you just use your straight stitch? It looks neater. I used one sometimes, the other sometimes. For hemming the bottom, for example, and on the arms I used the straight stitch. There’s no tension there, I thought. But it could also be that the slight “waves” in the side seams come from using the wrong type of seam, right? I probably should have done a test seam lengthwise beforehand.

Oh yes, one more new thing I learned: I now always topstitch the seams at the shoulders again with an extra seam. Then they don’t flop around so much on the inside and lie better. I don’t have an overlock for fine seams, so I think this version looks quite good visually.

Best wishes, Ina

Wow, Ina!
Say what you like, I think the shirt looks incredibly good on you! (And I’m happy to now know what you look like 😊)
Sure, it may have a few little flaws here and there, but other people won’t notice them.

The straight stitch on the hem has its pitfalls. If it comes under tension, parts will rip - the seam, not the fabric.
Don’t you have an elastic straight stitch? My machines have one - it’s called the “triple straight stitch.”

It’s great to see how hard you’re working on this, Ina! And the result is impressive. I also think the shirt looks great on you. 

WOW Ina, that’s amazing — and you did everything right with your shirt. It really is true: the best way to learn is by doing. Great job, and keep it up!

Best regards, Inge

I’ve always been following along with great interest because I’d like to try something a little more challenging myself. And now I already have an idea: a shirt with different front and back designs—great!

Awesome!!
It’s soooo great what you’ve learned in such a short time. It really brings a smile to my face.
I’m really looking forward to seeing your first shirt made with your favorite fabric!!
The pattern is just right for you. I also like it when it’s a little longer. Showing your belly and butt is probably more for the younger generation.

Best regards
Petra

Do you know iron-on hem tape? I used it in my sewing class for the hem of a T-shirt. It worked really smoothly.

Hi everyone,
thank you so much for your kind comments. That makes me very happy. You learn a little something new with every sewing project. Yes, I really enjoy sewing, and it gives me a great new creative playground. And thank you so much for your tips, too.

I’m glad, dear Veronika, that my two-tone shirt inspired you to start your own project. Sometimes the spark just catches on. That’s how it was for me with Inge’s creations.

@Petra
I’ve come across iron-on hem tape like that before. I wanted to use it to hem a pair of pants. But it didn’t work out so well because the sweatshirt fabric was too thick. It might work with jersey. I’d place it between the fabric and the hem fold, press it down firmly once—and then sew a neat seam over it from the right side. Yeah, it would probably hold even without a seam, but I’d find it visually more complete this way. The whole thing would have the advantage that you’d definitely catch both layers of fabric when sewing with the right sides together. I’ll give it a try.

@Nina
I hope your little one is healthy again—or at least feeling much better.
You’ll laugh—I have a stitch like that, where there are three straight stitches next to each other. But I didn’t know that this is basically a straight stitch for stretchy fabrics. I think I tried it once and thought, “That looks pretty thick”—just visually speaking. I’m going to try it out again more carefully and take a closer look. When you use it to sew a hem from the right side, you can see the seam, and I think it’s nice when it isn’t so prominent. I don’t like a zigzag stitch here at all. I’d prefer something very inconspicuous.

Today is gorgeous spring weather and it’s Easter—so I’m out in the garden enjoying the sun. No sewing today; I’m just mulling over a new sewing project in my head while taking a siesta.

Warm regards from Ina

Ina, you’re really making me want to try sewing with jersey fabric too. I think your shirt turned out great, and it looks fantastic on you.

Thanks, Christina. I’m glad to hear that. Since I’ve gotten out of the habit of going shopping in recent years—and usually couldn’t find the right thing for me anyway—sewing my own clothes is now very convenient. I get to choose the color, pattern, and cut. But I still need to practice a bit more before I can make the perfect shirt. It’s a lot of fun, though.

Best regards, Ina

Wowwww, Ina!! I’m deeply impressed—first by your hard work and the dedication with which you’ve taken up sewing. And second, by the incredibly beautiful results.

I think the shirt looks fantastic on you. You look really youthful in it, and you can definitely be seen wearing it.

Right now, I’m much more into knitting than sewing, especially since I have a fairly simple old machine. But the time will surely come when I start sewing again, too. In the meantime, I’ll look around for suitable fabrics and start with little things for my granddaughters.

Hi everyone,

I agree with everyone else—I also think you, Ina, are a natural. You did a great job on your shirt, and it looks absolutely perfect on you; you’re also very photogenic.

I still have some fabric lying around (it was originally meant for sewing for dolls). I don’t have the time right now either. But seeing your sewing successes really makes me want to get back to sewing. Maybe later. Yarn crafts are still taking up too much of my time.

Recently, I altered my dad’s new workout pants—they were too long. Simple projects like that are fine. But I’ll eventually work my way up to bigger projects too.

Have fun, everyone!

Hi Ina,
I haven’t even asked yet if you have a twin-stitch foot. That always looks great on the hem, too.

Hello everyone,
Your compliments make me very happy :-)

@Monika and @Andrea
I'm quite sure that when the time is right for you to try something new, it might be sewing. Everything always needs the right moment, and also the leisure for it. And until then, the brain collects all the lovely ideas and positive inspiration. And then, just like that, when the time has come, you simply start. I had been planning to learn to sew for years, too. The sewing machine I bought 3 years ago had only hemmed pants or curtains up to now. But now the two of us are only really getting to know each other.

I also understand that you love your yarn. Something in life always takes first place. You can't do everything equally well without becoming dissatisfied. For me, the time was just right for something new that I can throw myself into, where I don't already know so much, something I can discover anew.

@Petra
So, I have now tried the stretch stitch with the 3 lines next to each other. It looks really good! I had tried it once before in the past; maybe the thread was lousy, anyway back then it seemed too thick to me. If you have a "nice thread" that doesn't break and doesn't fuzz, but is nice and smooth, then it makes a lovely sturdy stitch that I can well imagine as a hem seam.

I'm going to use it for my new sewing project (the fabric is already in position, the right thread color is on its way).

I would find a twin seam super pretty, because the 2 seams run exactly parallel. But I don't even know whether every "normal sewing machine" can sew with a twin needle like that. You need 2 spools of thread on top for that, don't you? There is only room for one on top??? I first have to check whether there is such a twin foot with my sewing machine accessories. I will report back.

AND along with the thread I ordered (thanks to your recommendations) I also ordered "proper jersey needles." Right now I have a universal needle in it; that was the one it came with. Of course, "universal" means it sews everything. But since I'm currently sewing mostly jersey, I should probably try these to see whether they make "nicer seams." I hope I can manage to change the presser foot. I've really never done that before.

One more question about the jersey needles: I'm getting 5 each in sizes 70, 80, and 90. How do I know which of the three I need to use? The 70 is certainly the finest.

Enough chatting now, I have to do some work. Unfortunately, sewing isn't on the agenda today. But as soon as the thread and needle are here, it's on to my second shirt.

Best wishes, Ina