Not Your Ordinary T-Shirt – Threads
T-shirts made of cotton, wool, velour, cashmere, panne velvet, Lycra blends, and fleece can be the glue that holds your wardrobe together if they’re well made and beautifully shaped. Fitting and adjusting are simple when you follow a few simple guidelines. When sewing Burda, I use a few techniques to control stretch and get smooth hems and edges.
First, adjust for fit
Fitting the pattern takes some time and effort, and you’ll continue to refine it as you sew. To adjust the fit, I use a combination of flat pattern measuring and tissue- and pin-fitting, as well as a series of changes that I’ll discuss below.
Start with the flat pattern
The most important thing at this point is that the pattern fits around you; if you need to lengthen or shorten the body, sleeve, or armhole, do so now. To learn more about a new pattern, compare it to a favorite with a similar ease level.
Next, tissue-fit your pattern
Tissue-fitting pattern pieces, like pin-fitting a garment during construction, is a try-on, take-off process that helps you visualize the finished garment on your body and refine the shape before you start sewing.
Refine a neckline you like
The final front and back must meet at the shoulder if you want a V-neck. If you want a V-neck, mark the depth of the V while tissue-fitting, and convert to a V as shown in Drawing #1.
For a smooth shoulder
Because Burda patterns have broad shoulders, I cut the armscye a size or two smaller than the body of the garment; the back-shoulder seam should be 1/4 inch longer than the front for a better fit across the shoulders.
A pleasing armhole depth
Armhole depth ranges from 8 to 11 inches, from a high, set-in sleeve to a deeply dropped one, and many patterns benefit from raising the back neck and lowering the front neck.
What Stitch do you use to sew elastic?
Sew with a stretch stitch or a zigzag stitch to allow the elastic to stretch.
- Pin the elastic to the wrong side of the garment, matching the three pins on the elastic and on the fabric.
- Switch the elastic to the fabric, stretching the elastic between the pins.
How do you sew elastic to fabric directly?
What is the best way to sew elastic to fabric?
- Pin the end of your elastic to the end of your fabric and stitch to secure, then pull the elastic tight and pin the next section of elastic to the next pin on the fabric.
What can I use in place of elastic?
You could use hair ties or elastic headbands instead of regular elastic, according to Joann Fabric and Craft Stores, or you could use cord, yarn, ribbon, or other stretchy materials, such as bias tape. The CDC also suggests using cloth strips, rubber bands, or string.
Can you cut elastic in half lengthwise?
As a result, many people are asking if they can cut elastic lengthwise u2013 for example, u201cCan I cut 1/2u2032u2032 elastic in half to make 1/4u2032u2032 elastic?u201d I don’t recommend cutting elastic lengthwise because it almost always causes the elastic to fray and/or lose integrity. Instead, I recommend making mask ties out of jersey knit fabric.
Can I cut elastic to make it thinner?
Yes, thick elastic can be cut into thinner strips.
What is the difference between braided and knitted elastic?
Knit elastic is a soft, lightweight elastic that can be used directly against the skin and does not narrow when stretched. It works best with light- to medium-weight fabrics and can be stitched directly to fabrics.
What tension should I use for stretch fabric?
To stitch your stretchy fabric, use the appropriate tension setting; for materials like elastane, lycra, and many others, a higher tension level of 2-3 should suffice.
Can you sew elastic by hand?
Yes, you can sew elastic into your skirts, shorts, and home wear by hand by measuring the correct length of elastic required to fit your clothes, then sewing it directly onto your clothes or creating a casing into which you will fit the elastic around for a perfect finish.
What are the three types of interfacing?
Interfacing is available in two main types: fusible and sew-in, as well as three different weaves (non-woven, woven, and knit) and various weights.
How much elastic do I need for my waistband?
A waistband’s elastic should be about 2 inches smaller than your waist measurement.
How do you gather with elastic?
Elastic Ruche or Gathering Techniques
- Secure the end of the elastic to the edge of the fabric with some stitches.
- Set the machine to a zig-zag stitch.
- Sew on down that piece of elastic, stretching on each end of the elastic as you sew.