How to Make Cotton Shirts

Cotton fabrics come in a wide variety of colors and prints.

Making your own cotton shirts can be rewarding in many ways. It is always satisfying to see the fruits of your labor. Another benefit is being able to find colors or prints that might not be available on store racks. Plus, when using 100% cotton material, you know that you have a very breathable piece of clothing.

Things You'll Need

• Shirt pattern
• Fabric - amount according to pattern directions
• Interfacing - amount according to pattern directions
• Cutting board or a flat surface
• Scissors
• Pins
• Marking pen
• Thread
• Buttons
• Sewing machine
• Iron
• Ironing board

Instructions

Making a Cotton Shirt

1. 

   A pattern tells you how many yards of fabric you will need.

   Find a pattern for a shirt style you like. Look for patterns at a chain fabric store such as Hancock Fabrics, Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores and Hobby Lobby or at a Walmart or a locally-owned sewing center. Butterick, Simplicity and McCall's are among the companies that make patterns..The pattern will tell you how much fabric you will need depending on your clothing size. It will also tell you what notions, such as buttons or interfacing, you may need for your shirt.

2. 

   Look on the top of the bolt for content, washing instructions and price.

   Pick out your fabric. The stores will have a variety of fabrics. Pick out your fabric and take it to the counter to be measured. You also can buy interfacing if needed to help stiffen collars and cuffs, buttons and a coordinating thread.

3. 

   Ironing the fabric will help it lay flat for accurate cutting.

   Wash your fabric according to instructions to remove excess starch and pre-shrink material. You do not want to have a shirt shrink after it is finished and be too small. Once the fabric is washed and dried, iron out any wrinkles.

4. 

   Use your marking pen to note special markings on pattern.

   Cut out pattern pieces. Read your pattern directions before placing pattern pieces on the fabric because the pattern will have a guide for laying out the pieces. Use a cutting board under your fabric or lay the fabric on a hard surface, otherwise you risk pins getting caught in the other fabric or carpeting. Make sure to match the uncut edges, called the selvage, of the fabric together. After pinning the pattern pieces to your fabric and interfacing, carefully cut out your pattern. Mark symbols that are used to match fabric pieces with your marking pen.

5. 

   Fill two bobbins to have one ready if needed.

   Thread your machine and fill two bobbins of thread for the project. Following the directions of the pattern, begin to stitch the garment together. Read each step twice before undertaking. Most patterns have you start with the shoulder seams and then the collar. Press out the seams following the directions of the pattern as you complete each step.

6. 

   Use a match thread color on your button for best look.

   Once the shirt is sewed together, it is time for the buttonholes. Practice the buttonhole stitch on scrap material following the instructions with your sewing machine to determine the correct width and thread spacing needed. Once the buttonholes are completed and opened, lay the shirt flat and use your marking pen to find the exact spot for the buttons. Using a needle and thread, hand sew the buttons on the shirt. Inspect the shirt and clip any long threads off your garment.

7. 

   Be proud of your hard work and effort.

   Wash garment after it is completed and use spotting treatment for any leftover marking pen marks. Iron and wear your new shirt.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are new to sewing, look for classes at one of the chain or locally-owned fabric centers. Classes are offered for beginners as well as for long-time seamstresses looking to improve their skills. Class sizes can be small and able to offer one-on-one help in many cases.

• If you are unsure how to find the correct fabric, ask a store clerk for help. Many clerks in these stores are experienced sewers and are able to give reliable advice.

• If you are uncertain how to do a certain technique, try it on a scrap piece of fabric before doing the technique on the patterned piece of fabric you have cut.

• Always take the time to thoroughly read the pattern directions so you do not make a mistake and have to buy more fabric.

Resources

• Nancy's Notions.com:Sewing With Nancy
• Threads Magazine.com: Video of Teach Yourself to Sew