How to Make a Homemade Clown Shirt

A clown shirt should be bright and colorful.

Clown costumes are popular for both adults and children. Whether for Halloween, other costume parties or to entertain children with magic tricks, it is not rare to see people dressing up as clowns. Perhaps clown costumes are prevalent because clown wigs and make-up are readily available for purchase, or because clowns bring a smile to the face of young and old alike. For someone who may not feel comfortable in a complete clown costume, some face make-up, a round red nose and a clown shirt might be all you need.

Things You'll Need

• Extra-large T-shirt, with long or short sleeves, to be used to make pattern
• Brightly colored fabric for shirt, about 2 yards
• Fabric for ruffled collar, preferably solid color, 1/2 yard
• Tailor's chalk
• Pins
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Select a brightly colored fabric with a bold design for the clown shirt. Fold the fabric in half with the right sides together inside and the finished edges, the selvages, aligned.

2. 

   You need only basic sewing skills to make a clown shirt.

   Turn an extra-large T-shirt inside out, and fold it in half lengthwise. Lay it on the folded fabric with the folded edge of the T-shirt aligned with the folded edge of the fabric. Pin the shirt to the fabric.

3. Trace around the outline of the folded T-shirt with tailor's chalk. Add at least 1 inch all around the outline of the shirt, including the sleeves and bottom edge, to enlarge the shirt, lengthen the sleeves and allow for hems. Cut along the chalked line, making the piece for the front section of the clown shirt. Remove the pins and set the T-shirt aside.

4. Unfold the front section of the clown shirt. Draw a slightly deeper U-shape around the neckline on this section of the shirt, so that it is lowered by about 1 inch. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 to cut a second piece for the shirt's back. Do not adjust the neckline on this back section.

5. Lay the shirt's front section on the back section, aligning the cut edges on the sides of the shirt, the bottom of the shirt and all around the sleeves. The right sides should be facing each other on the inside, with the wrong side of the fabric facing you. Pin the front and back sections together, along the side, shoulder and sleeve seams. Stitch the seams with a straight stitch on the sewing machine, leaving a 1/2-inch seam allowance.

6. Fold over 1/2 inch toward the wrong side on the bottom of the shirt for a hem. Turn over another 1/2 inch to fold the raw edge inside the fold. Pin the hem in place. Stitch with a straight stitch, then remove the pins. Repeat this hemming process for the bottom edge of each sleeve, folding over the same 1/2 inch two times and stitch in place.

7. Cut a strip of contrasting colored fabric for the neck ruffle, at least 5 inches wide by 1 yard in length. Turn over a narrow fold, about 1/8 inch toward the wrong side on one of the long cut edges. Turn another 1/8 inch over to enfold the cut edge inside. Pin and stitch into place. Repeat this hemming process on both short ends of the fabric strip.

8. Adjust the sewing machine to the longest straight stitch possible, and stitch a line about 1/4 inch in from the other long cut end, opposite the hemmed edge. Leave long, 6-inch threads at the end of the stitching. Pull gently on these threads to gather the strip of fabric as tightly as possible.

9. Turn the clown shirt inside out. Lay the ruffle around the neck edge of the shirt, with the right sides of the fabric together, aligning the raw edge of the ruffle with the raw edge of the shirt's neckline. Adjust the gathering threads on the ruffle until the length of the gathered edge matches the circumference of the shirt's neckline. Pin the ruffle into place and stitch it to the shirt using a straight stitch.

10. Turn the clown shirt right side out. Flip the ruffled collar over to the right side of the shirt so that the raw edges are inside the fold. Place pins close to the folded edge of the neckline to hold the ruffle in place. Stitch close to this turned edge all the way around the neckline to keep it flat. Remove the pins.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a heavy-weight cotton or other non-stretchy, sturdy fabric for the ruffle.

• All fabrics will work equally well for the shirt, but cotton and cotton blends will be most durable.

• If you cannot find a suitable patterned fabric, consider a bold, solid color and sew on colorful patches or use fabric markers to design your own pattern. If you prefer less sewing, use an over-sized solid-colored T-shirt and attach the ruffled collar to the T-shirt.

• Keep all pins, needles and scissors out of the reach of small children.

References

• Sewing.org: Sew-lutions Guidelines
• Threads; "Not Your Ordinary T-Shirt"; November 5, 2008
• Start Sewing: How to Make a Children's Clown Costume

Resources

• McCalls: Sewing Patterns for Today's Fashion Trends; Easy McCalls Costumes
• Simplicity Creative Group: Adult Clown Costume