How to Make a Ribbed Shirt
If you know how to sew, you can make a shirt from ribbed knit fabric. According to the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, ribbing refers to the horizontal or vertical line patterns found in a type of knit fabric, which is called, simply, ribbed knit. Shirts made from ribbed knits are easy to wear because they are comfortably stretchy and don't wrinkle. It is an ideal fabric for formfitting clothing.
Things You'll Need
- Ribbed knit fabric
- Shirt pattern
- Thread
- Fabric tape
- Other notions indicated in pattern
- Sewing machine
- Sharp scissors
- Pins
Instructions
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1
Decide what style of shirt you want to make. Ribbed knit fabric will result in a close-fitting garment, so take this into account. Good choices include turtlenecks, T-shirts and tank tops.
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2
Search for ribbed knit shirt patterns online, or browse the pattern section of your favorite fabric store. Choose one that says "For Stretch Knits Only," and note the fabric stretch gauge on the pattern. Ribbed-knit fabrics stretch out an extra 1 inch to 4 inches wider than when they are unstretched, so pick a fabric that matches the pattern's stretch gauge to ensure the finished shirt fits.
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3
Go to the fabric store and purchase more than the amount of ribbed knit fabric specified in your pattern for the size shirt you are going to make. This allows for shrinkage when you prewash it. Purchase the other notions indicated in your pattern. Make sure your sewing thread matches the fabric's color.
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4
Prewash your ribbed fabric. However, do not wash the portion you intend to use as trim around the neck and cuffs. The shrinkage will render it difficult to sew. Air dry flat and block with a steam iron.
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5
Determine the right and wrong sides of the ribbed fabric and mark these lightly with chalk. Lay your material on a table and pin the pattern to the material, without creasing or wrinkling the ribbed knit. Be careful not stretch the fabric. Cut around the pattern with a sharp pair of scissors. Remove the pattern and, if necessary, the pins.
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6
Stitch your fabric together with a sewing machine as specified in the pattern. Seams and seam finishes for knits must stretch with the knits or the stitches will break. You may want to use a zig-zag stitch to ensure the stitches from breaking. Also, stabilize seams that get a lot of stress, such as shoulder seams, with tape.
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7
After the pieces are sewn together, add all of the other notions as indicated in the pattern. Cut any loose or hanging threads, and admire your work.
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Tips & Warnings
Sergers are great for sewng ribbed knit fabric. Sergers have three or four needles to automatically create the overlock stitched seams you see in commerically made clothes. This type of stitch maintains knit fabric's stretch.
References
Resources
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