How to Create a Sweatshirt
Making a sweatshirt is often one of the first projects taught to beginners in sewing, due to the simple design and fit of the garment, and also because it teaches beginners all of the basics of sewing clothing. The classic sweatshirt is a loose, long-sleeved shirt made from warm, comfortable fabric that does not fray, making it unnecessary for any complex finishing that a beginner might struggle with. To start learning how to sew clothing by creating your own sweatshirt, read the instructions in this article.
Things You'll Need
- Sewing equipment and supplies
- Sweatshirt fabric and matching thread
- Ribbed sweatshirt fabric
- Existing T-shirt or long-sleeved shirt
- Fabric pencil
- Measuring tape
Instructions
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Take an existing oversized T-shirt or long-sleeved shirt in the size that you would like your sweatshirt to be. If the shirt is made from a stretchy fabric, your sweatshirt will also need to be made from stretchy sweatshirt fabric, or else the fit will be off.
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Fold your sweatshirt fabric so that you have a double layer, and then lay the T-shirt on top of the fabric, spread open, with the sleeves folded back. Using the fabric pencil, trace around the shirt on all sides, following the exact contours. Remove the shirt and draw around your outline again, adding one inch to the sides, shoulders, and sleeve holes. Do not add any extra length to the collar or hem. Cut your outline from the fabric, so that you have a front and back piece.
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3
Fold the rest of your fabric so that you have one long fold line, at least long enough for one sleeve. Lay the sleeve of your shirt against this fold, so that the top of the sleeve lines up with the fold. Using the fabric pencil, extend the lines of the sleeve to the length of your arm. Add an extra inch to the bottom line and the armhole. If desired, add more than one inch to the bottom of the sleeve to create a baggier sweatshirt sleeve. Cut the sleeve from the fabric, leaving the fold intact. Lay the sleeve, open, on a single layer of fabric and cut a second sleeve.
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Cut two bands of ribbed fabric that are six inches wide and the length of the front hem. Cut two more bands of ribbed fabric the same width that are the length of the sleeve wrist. Then cut two more bands of ribbed fabric, 2-1/2 inches wide and as long as the collar measurement of the front piece. Fold each band widthwise and iron each flat. Stitch the first bands to the front and back sweatshirt pieces at the hem, lining up the raw edges. Leave a seam allowance of 1/2 inch, then press and trim it. Stitch the second bands to the wrist side of each sleeve in the same way, and the third bands to the collars in the same way.
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Stitch the front and back together at the shoulders, 1/2 inch away from the edges. Press and trim the seam allowances. Open up the front and back and line the sleeve armhole edges up with the front and back armhole edges, matching the centers of the sleeve pieces with the shoulder seams. Stitch the sleeves to the front and back, right sides together, 1/2 inch away from the edges. Press and trim the seam allowances.
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Fold the front and back together again, right sides together. Stitch the side seams closed, from wrist to hem, 1/2 inch away from the edges. Press and trim the seam allowances. Turn the sweatshirt right side out.
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