Knit Striped Shirt
I'm slowly getting more and more comfortable working with knits. They aren't hard to work with, just hard to look right. I found this red and blue striped knit at the thrift store. It was about two yards and seemed thick enough for a new t-shirt. It is very good quality and I'm glad I snagged it. Actually I didn't get it the first time I saw it. I went back three days later and was so happy it was still there!
I have this t-shirt that I liked but was a bit too thin. It was actually a maternity t-shirt from Target. I love it though and it doesn't seem to have any extra fabric in the waist, it is just really long, which I love. I took the shirt apart to use as a pattern. Basically you just cut up the seams and your pieces should look like this when you fold them in half.
I wanted the sleeves to be gathered down a central seam and so that is why I added half of it to the front of the shirt. I also added a lot of fabric in the chest area. I wanted it to be rolled or gathered. I ended up gathering.
And this is the front. For the gathers I just used regular thread and gathered on the inside, in no particular order. I know you can do some really cool things with gathers (American smocking) but I like the natural look of this. Oh and I cut a blue stripe to become my ribbing for the neck and sleeves.
I'm excited to make another t-shirt. I love that you can take a basic shape and turn it into something special.