How to Trace out a T-Shirt Pattern

T-shirts are simple enough that you can trace an old T-shirt to make a pattern for a new one. You can make the T-shirt pattern by placing the T-shirt on a piece of paper and tracing around it with a pencil, or by placing it directly on the fabric and marking around it with pins. No matter which method you use, you’ll need to add 5/8 inch around all the edges of each part of the T-shirt for seam allowance.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

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

Make a Pattern for the T-Shirt Back

1. Lay the T-shirt face up on a large piece of paper or the right side of a piece of fabric.

2. Smooth out the T-shirt as much as possible.

3. Fold the sleeves forward along the seams onto the front of the T-shirt. Pin them in place.

4. Measure 5/8 inch from the edge of the T-shirt to mark the line for the new pattern. Use a pencil to mark this distance on the paper, or use a pin to mark it on the fabric.

5. Repeat step 5 all the way around the T-shirt except for the neckline, so that the pencil or pin markings for the pattern are 5/8 inch larger than the T-shirt all the way around except for the neckline.

6. Trace the neckline of the T-shirt using a pencil on the paper, or by marking it with pins on the fabric. (The T-shirt collar provides sufficient extra for seam allowance.)

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

Make a Pattern for the T-Shirt Front

8. Place the pattern for the T-shirt back on a second piece of paper or fabric.

9. Copy the pattern by tracing around it with a pencil on the piece of paper, or by cutting around it.

10. Trim the neckline of the new pattern to match the front of the T-shirt.

11. Hold the pattern up to the T-shirt front to make sure the pattern matches.

12. Trim the pattern again as needed.

Make a Pattern for the T-Shirt Sleeves

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

14. 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.

15. Smooth out the sleeve.

16. 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.

17. 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.

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

Tips & Warnings

• Although tracing the T-shirt shouldn’t harm it, it’s still best to use an old T-shirt rather than your favorite one just in case.
• You can purchase a knit ribbing collar for the T-shirt in many fabric stores.