How to Sew a T-Shirt Using Jersey Fabric

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Sewing with jersey fabric may seem daunting to some sewers but we're making it simple! Follow this easy guide and you'll fall in love with this comfortable, versatile fabric.

Discover tips on how to sew the stretchy material and follow the project to create a basic jersey t-shirt.

Project and instructions by Sew Jessalli

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How to make

You Will Need

* Tape Measure

* Dressmakers Tracing Paper

* Fabric Scissors

* Rotary Cutter

* Sewing Machine

* T-Shirt Sewing Pattern

* Jersey Fabric 160cm x 2.5m

* Thread

* Cutting Mat

* Pins

* Iron

Step 1

Pre-wash your fabric.

Measure yourself and trace out your pattern pieces to your size.

Step 2

Lay your pattern pieces, as per the cutting layout, on top of your fabric and pin or weight into place. Use a rotary cutter and cutting mat to cut each piece carefully and accurately.

Step 3

Place front and back pieces, right sides together, and pin shoulder seams.

Step 4

Sew shoulder seams to the required seam allowance, either on your sewing machine with a zig zag stitch, or on your overlocker.

Press seams open.

Step 5

Fold the neckband in half, right sides together. Pin and sew the neckband's short ends together to create a loop.

Press seams open.

Step 6

Fold your neckband in half, wrong sides together, lengthways to create a double sided loop.

Mark or pin your neckband into four equal quarters, using the seam you've just sewn as one point. Mark or pin your neck hole in the top into four equal quarters.

Step 7

Place neckband over the neck hole, right sides together, making sure the seam in the neckband is at the centre back point.

Align your four quarters and pin all raw edges together in the same positions.

Step 8

Sew your neckband with the required seam allowance and a zigzag stitch. As you sew, stretch the neckband between each marked pins, until the main t-shirt body lies flat against it.

When finished, try the top over your head to make sure it's a good fit.

Step 9

Press the seams away from the neckband and topstitch them down onto the main body.

Keep checking underneath to make sure you're catching the seam allowance as you sew.

Step 10

Lay your sleeve pieces, right sides together, on top of your opened out t-shirt body.

Pin the centre point at the shoulder and the two ends.

Step 11

Pin the rest of the sleeve, moving the main body to meet the curve of the sleeve.

Sew in place with required seam allowance and a zigzag stitch. Make sure you check you're only sewing through two layers and carefully follow those curves.

Press seams away from body. Repeat with other sleeve.

Step 12

Lay your main body front and back, right sides together, and pin the side seams from the sleeve edge, to armpit, to hem.

Sew in place with required seam allowance and a zigzag stitch.

Press seams open and repeat with opposite side.

Step 13

Try your t-shirt on to check the fit.

If you're happy with the fit, lay the t-shirt down inside out and use your iron to press the hem amounts up on the sleeve edges and bottom hem. Pin in place.

Tip: You may want to check the length before you sew.

Step 14

Sew all your hems in place with a zigzag stitch.

Press and it's ready to wear.

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