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How to Draft a T-Shirt from your Favorite T-Shirt

August 9, 2019 by Margaret 13 Comments

How to Draft a T-Shirt from your Favorite T-Shirt. Drafting a pattern from ready wear is an easy way to reproduce your favorite fitting tshirt.

I know I can't be the only one with a favorite t-shirt; one that fits just right all over. I don't even remember where I got it and the printed on label can't be read any longer. So, what do you do? You copy it of course! The fit isn't the same as when you draft something from your exact measurements but it doesn't have to be to fit well. I actually knocked this t-shirt off two or so years ago, made a few t-shirts and then accidentally threw the pattern away when moving into my new sewing studio.  So, in this post, I'm going to show you How to Draft a T-Shirt from your Favorite T-Shirt. I'll be helping you all out and myself at the same time. 

 Supplies

All you need are some basic supplies for this. You should already have most, if not all of it.

  • Pattern drafting paper or art paper. You can even use a brown paper bag
  • Pencil and eraser
  • Tape Measure
  • Ruler
  • T-shirt you want to copy
If you can't view the video above you can watch it directly on YouTube 

Drafting on the Fold

When working with knit fabric I find it easier to work with a full pattern piece instead of one that needs to be placed on a fold. For the t-shirt, we'll draft the pattern pieces on a folded paper so that when we open the paper up we have a pattern piece that can be placed on one single layer of knot fabric.

Drafting the Front of the  T-Shirt

Begin by ironing the shirt and then folding it in half and pressing. This will make working with the shirt easier. Don't forget to iron the neckband and sleeves.

  • Place the creased edge of the shirt along the folded edge of the paper. Smooth out any wrinkles.
  • Trace the top shoulder, hem and side seams with your pencil
  • Using a tracing wheel trace the seam line of the neckband and where the sleeve attaches to the bodice of the shirt
  • Trace over the marking made by the tracing wheel with a pencil
  • Now add in the hem and seam allowance (I suggest ½" for the neck and sleeve and ⅝" for the shoulder seam and side seam.)
  • Cut out your front section and label.

Drafting the Back of the  T-Shirt

Again, fold your paper in half longways.

  • Place the front piece (folded in half) you made on the folded edge of the paper.
  • Working from the back of your t-shirt now line up the creased center point along the center of the paper just like before
  • Line up the shoulder seam.
  • With your tracing wheen trace the neckband seam and then follow the line with your pencil
  • Move your shirt and now trace around the front section pattern piece to create the remaining lines. You don't have to add in a hem or seam allowance because they were added to the front section.
  • Cut out your back section and label

Drafting the Sleeve of the  T-Shirt

Again, fold the paper in half.

  • Smooth out any wrinkles and align the edges of your sleeve
  • Place the top section of the sleeve (where your shoulder would be) against the fold.
  • Trace around the underarm seam and edge of the sleeve. If you want to make it longer this is where you would do that.
  • Using your tracing wheel mark the seam wheel like we did on the other seams and then trace over it with a pencil.
  • Add in a ½" seam allowance
  • Cut out your sleeve and label

Drafting the Neckband of the  T-Shirt

Fold your paper in half making sure it's long enough to accommodate the neck measurement. 2" wide is usually a good measurement for a neckband.

  • Line the neckband up and measure it from one side to the other. The length will depend on how deep of a scoop the band has.
  • Draft the neckband on the fold of the paper.
  • The band should be 2" wide X length.
  • The 2" wide includes seam allowance.
  • Cut out your neckband and label.

Once you have all of your pattern pieces drafted and cut out you're ready to cut out your fabric and sew up the t-shirt. If your not yet comfortable with working with knit fabric or sewing garments I'll be showing you how after we draft a t-shirt from measurements.

How to Draft a T-Shirt from your Favorite T-Shirt. Drafting a pattern from ready wear is an easy way to reproduce your favorite fitting tshirt.

Related Posts:

  • Tools, Supplies and Measurements to Draft a Basic T-Shirt
    Tools, Supplies and Measurements to Draft a Basic T-Shirt
  • How to Draft a Neckband for a Knit Shirt
    How to Draft a Neckband for a Knit Shirt
  • How to Draft a Knit T-Shirt
    How to Draft a Knit T-Shirt
  • How to Draft Sleeves for a Knit Shirt
    How to Draft Sleeves for a Knit Shirt

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Glenda

    August 13, 2019 at 11:25 am

    This is a great idea. Thank you for the tips and step by step tutorial. It brings me back when I was in high school and took sewing. I actually enjoyed it very much!

    Reply
  2. Stephanie

    August 13, 2019 at 6:32 pm

    You must be reading my mind! I have quite a few shirts that I love but don't even know where they came from. I'm not the best at sewing yet, but willing to learn as I go!

    Reply
  3. GiGi Eats Celebrities

    August 13, 2019 at 7:40 pm

    Omg this is so creative! I am so not crafty AT ALL - but man oh man, you make me envious of people who are crafty because you can just transform clothing into something completely different!

    Reply
  4. Angela Tolsma

    August 13, 2019 at 8:13 pm

    I have always wanted to make my own patterns. Great instructions, definitely something I'll have to try again one day.

    Reply
  5. Flossie

    August 13, 2019 at 11:02 pm

    Love this! Thanks for the great idea! I've never been tempted to do this to a Tshirt, but to many other things, yes yes yes...

    Reply
  6. Neely

    August 14, 2019 at 7:12 am

    Oh wow this seems like a really reasonable DIY! What a great step by step thanks!

    Reply
  7. Karen Monica

    August 14, 2019 at 9:56 am

    This ia a great DIY. I am not really good at sewing but I would love to give this a try.

    Reply
  8. Holly Lasha

    August 14, 2019 at 1:28 pm

    This is a great idea! I definitely have some shirts I wish I had in more colors. I'm going to have to try this!

    Reply
  9. Courtney

    August 14, 2019 at 10:33 pm

    Ooooo now this sounds like one fun diy project!!!! I have a few shirts I would love to do this with

    Reply
  10. forkwardthinkingfoodinista

    August 15, 2019 at 3:10 am

    Oh wow this is very very clever. I would have never thought about doing this...such a fabulous idea for sure xx

    Reply
  11. Christa Anne

    August 15, 2019 at 4:41 pm

    I love that not only are your ideas amazing, but you also make all your projects seem attainable. This t-shirt project is something I want to try!

    Reply
  12. Kristen

    August 16, 2019 at 6:37 am

    I’ve always wanted to learn how to sew. These are great starter tips.

    Reply
  13. Adventure Aficionado

    December 12, 2019 at 7:18 pm

    What an interesting idea! I never figured to have done this, but always learn something new every day! And really nice to have all these tips for newbies like myself.

    Reply

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