***Note! I recently simplified and tweaked my tshirt drafting process, and have a new tutorial for drafting a tee from measurements that is a little more user friendly. Both are good methods, though, so check out my new one, and decide from there! Thanks for stopping by, and like always I love to get feedback or questions!
There have been a few people who have asked me for my t-shirt pattern. “Sure!” I said. But then it occurred to me that not everyone is my size. Hmm. So I decided to break it down like MJ, and let you figure out your own perfect t-shirt pattern. Hopefully this will give you a good pattern, and then you can tweek it until you feel it’s a great pattern. This is my rooky attempt at pattern drafting, so if you have any suggestions, questions, or maybe you want to pull your hair out, leave a comment. And if this is just completely intimidating, then just buy a pattern. In fact, unless you’re broke or lazy, just go buy a pattern. It’s easier. BUT if you’re into free and figuring, then give this a whirl and let me know how it turns out! FYI: Different knits can REALLY change the size and fit of your tee. Sometimes my shirt comes out pretty fitted, and then sometimes it’s pretty loose. So, if you find it’s too big/little, I would change the shirt, not the pattern, because it’s possibly/probably the fabric that’s making the difference.
See my fitted tee tutorial HERE
Determine Your Measurements.
Get a friend or a lucky someone to help you measure yourself. Wear a simple t-shirt that you like the way it fits, length, etc.
*Note–all the following measurements are taken from your BACK SIDE!
*Note–all my measurements are based on a scant 1/4 inch seam! (The width of an overlock stitch).
FRONT AND BACK:
1. Measure from the top center edge of your BACK neckline to the bottom of the shirt. Add 2 and then write that down. (I actually add 4 because I like my shirts LONG as the Dickens, and I like to have more to work with if I can. If you do this, be sure to add 4 to step 1-4. (i.e. it says add 2, you add 4; it says add 2.5, you add 4.5). Got it?
2. Measure from the top shoulder seam to the bottom of the shirt. Add 2.5 and then write that down.
3. Measure from the bottom shoulder seam (where it meets the sleeve), to the bottom of your shirt and add 2. Write that down.
4. Measure from the top of your side seam (underneath your armpit), to the bottom of your shirt. Add 2 and write that down.
5. Measure around the bottom edge of your shirt (pretty much around your hip bones). Add 2 and then divide by 4, and write that down.
6. Measure around your true waist (the smallest part of your middle). Add 2, divide by 4, and write that down.
7. Measure around your bust. Add 2, divide by 4, and write that down.
8. Measure from the top center back edge to the bottom shoulder seam (see pic), and then add 1 and write that down (you’re not measure diagonally, rather straight–eyeballing how far that shoulder seam comes out. Capish?).
SLEEVE:
9. With your arm down, measure the fullest part of your bicep (without flexing!), add 2.5 and write that down.
10. Measure the length you want your sleeve to be (starting from the top of your shoulder down), add 1/2 and write that down.
11. Measure around your shoulder, (over shoulder, under armpit, fairly snugg), add 1/2 an inch, and write that down.
Calculate and Draw the Pattern.
*NOTE: The armhole curve should equal (or almost equal) answer #11 DIVIDED by 2.
* TWO IMPORTANT NOTES. There are two crucial errors: the neckband should be cut on the BIAS (the diagonal grain). This will help it lay flat–trust me, it’s important. And secondly, it saysthe length of the neck PLUS a few inches, and it should be the length MINUS of few inches. The neckband should be SHORTER than the measurement of the neck opening. It should be anywhere from 3/4 -7/8 the length of the neck opening.
Now go! To my fitted tee shirt tutorial!
19 Comments
This tutorial is just what I was looking for! I am going to try to make a t-shirt tonight.
Oh and your blog is wonderful! I am adding you to my google reader right now.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend
Hey! My SIL Maren just sent me your way, and I’m so glad she did! She said you guys were roomies at BYU. This is such a great post, I’ve been trying to do more with knits this year, so this is perfect. I can’t wait to make a shirt with your instructions. Your whole blog is great too, you are hilarious! Seriously, like “don’t have to get to know you to think you’re funny” funny
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If line D on the front is a 1/2 inch higher how will it match up won’t it be 1/2 inch longer at the bottom?
Kia so sorry to not get back to you, I haven’t had time to go back and check, but I may have made a mistake. If I did then make the back 1/2 longer too or trim them evenly.
Thanks a lot! You’ve helped me out a lot. I have searched all over the internet for a basic shirt like this! I löve the first picture were you show were to mesure.!!!!!!
You’re so welcome!! So thrilled it worked out for you!
Very patient tutorial…lots of effort put into preparing this. Thanks a lot!
Thanks, Angeline! Hope it helps!
How would you make the sleeves longer?
Just extend that hemline, and taper it in slightly the further down it gets!
I love these tutorials that you can understand in less than a minute. Very clear, thank you!
Thank you for your amazing trial – cant wait to make one for myself
Thanks for such a clear explanation of the pattern making
yet I have a question: if I use centimeters (metric system) instead of inches, should I convert everything what is written into cm or not? eg. ’2. Measure from the top shoulder seam to the bottom of the shirt. Add 2.5 and then write that down’ – 2.5 inches to cm?
Thank you so much. I will try this very soon.
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Thanks so much for posting this!! I am visual learner and never could get all those tutorials with all just words. The drawings help HEAPS!!
My brother suggested I might like this blog. He was totally right.
This post truly made my day. You can not imagine simply how much time I had spent for
this info! Thanks!
i have seared so many site and blogs looking for the simplest way to make a basic t-shirt.this is totally it.its so easy to understand and straight to the point.Am truly tankful for you and your site.words cant express how much this simple post means to me.am a young and aspiring sewer and you just made my day.thank you.
So so happy to be of service! Hope it works out for you!!
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