How to Fold Parts of a Shirt to Make a Pattern

Contributor

By JustSew
eHow Contributing Writer

Article Rating:

(0 Ratings)

If you’re experienced with sewing, you can fold a shirt to make a quick pattern for a new shirt or a costume. This technique works best for simple shirts and projects where you only need a rough pattern, not a perfect pattern for a complex fitted shirt. You can use an existing shirt as a pattern by placing it directly on the fabric and cutting around it, or by placing it on a piece of paper and tracing around it. Either way, you’ll need to add 5/8 inch around all the edges of each section of the shirt for seam allowance.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

shirt
straight pins
measuring tape or ruler
large paper or piece of fabric
pencil (optional)
scissors

Make a Pattern for the Shirt Back

Step 1

Lay the shirt face up on a large piece of paper or the right side of a piece of fabric.
Step 2

Smooth out the back (underside) of the shirt as much as possible.
Step 3

Fold the sleeves forward along the seams onto the front of the shirt. Pin them in place.
Step 4

Fold the collar, if any, down onto the front of the shirt. Pin it in place.
Step 5

Measure 5/8 inch from the edge of the old shirt to mark the cutting line for the new shirt back. Use a pencil to mark this distance on the paper, or use a pin to mark it on the fabric.
Step 6

Repeat step 5 all the way around the shirt back, so that the pencil or pin markings for the new shirt piece are 5/8 inch larger than the old one all the way around.
Step 7

Cut out the paper pattern or fabric. Remove the pins from the shirt.

Make a Pattern for the Shirt Front

Step 1

If you are using a button-down shirt, unbutton all the buttons and work with one side of the shirt front at a time.
Step 2

Lay the shirt face down on a large piece of paper or the right side of a piece of fabric.
Step 3

Smooth out the front of the shirt as much as possible.
Step 4

Fold the back of the shirt (and the other half of the shirt front for a button-down shirt) over onto the shirt front.
Step 5

Repeat steps 3 through 7 from the shirt back for the shirt front. For a button down shirt, also add 3 inches to the button areas, so that you can fold the fabric over to make placards for the buttons and button holes.
Step 6

Make a pattern for the other half of the button-down shirt front the same way, if applicable.

Make a Pattern for the Shirt Sleeves

Step 1

Fold a piece of paper or fabric in half right sides together.
Step 2

Lay the shirt face up on the paper or piece of fabric, lining up the top of the sleeve with the fold in the paper or fabric.
Step 3

Smooth out the sleeve.
Step 4

Measure 5/8 inch from the lower edge and open end of the sleeve to mark the cutting line for the sleeve pattern. Use a pencil to mark this distance on the paper, or use pins to mark it on the fabric.
Step 5

Fold the shirt over the sleeve to expose the armhole edge of the sleeve. Mark an armhole line for the pattern, 5/8 inch from the armhole edge of the sleeve.
Step 6

Cut out the paper pattern or fabric. Use the same pattern to make the second sleeve.

Make a Pattern for the Shirt Collar

Step 1

Place the collar on a piece of paper or fabric.
Step 2

Smooth the collar flat.
Step 3

Measure 5/8 inch from the upper edge and ends of the collar to mark the cutting line for the collar pattern. Use a pencil to mark this distance on the paper, or use pins to mark it on the fabric.
Step 4

Fold the shirt over the collar to expose the lower edge. Mark the lower edge of the collar pattern 5/8 inch lower than the lower edge of the existing collar.
Step 5

Cut out the paper pattern or fabric.