The Perfect T-shirt

Learn how to fit and make the Perfect T-shirt for your body figure.  This pattern is made for a “real” woman and addresses the most common fitting issues we face – high round back, forward shoulder, full hip and bust, and a good fit through the shoulder and neck.  Design details include the “essence of waist,” flattering shirt tail hemline, three necklines, and four sleeve lengths.  There is a companion pattern for more neckline and sleeve variations (#107).  We will use the Palmer/Pletsch tissue fitting method to get the best fit for you! 

The first day will mostly be fitting the pattern, cutting out the prewashed fabric, and fitting the fabric.  We may have time to begin sewing, so bring everything, and you can leave all your things for the second day.

We will take a short break for lunch each day, so bring some nourishment!

Materials required:

For Fitting:

•          Pamela’s Patterns and Palmer Pletsch books are available at Angels.
•          Appropriate fabric for the garment you will be making – Prewashed!  See pattern for fabric requirements.  Fabric suggestions: light-medium weight knit; Angels has many lovely prints, some are pictured in the photo!
•          Another item you can bring is a plain white T-shirt that fits snugly.  Nothing new is needed.  I will show you how to cut off the sleeves and neckline and mark it up to make a nice self-fitting tool for you.
•          Pattern tracing fabric or tissue: (Pamela’s Patterns, red dot, Perfect Pattern Paper (or 21” wide medical tissue roll-Alice has a few rolls available for purchase)
•          Perfect Pattern Paper by Palmer/Pletsch.  Cut up strips of 1”, 2”, and 3” and wrap around a piece of pool noodle.
•          5/8” elastic, 2” smaller than your waist, sewn into a circle or connected with Velcro.  If you don’t have 5/8” elastic, you can use Pamela’s Patterns Fantastic Elastic, which can be cut to any width.
•          2 boxes of 1-3/8” extra fine glass head pins (.5mm size is best) and a magnetic pin cushion. These pins will not bend when piercing cardboard surfaces.
•          Foldable carboard cutting board (or pinnable cutting mat like Arrow, which are available by special order from Angels)
•          Tape measure, scissors, small rotary cutter, quilting ruler (3” x 18” is a good size)
•          Design rulers:  suggested 5/8” pattern making set, 12” curve runner, and L square by Stitch Buzz, or rulers/seam guides to mark 5/8” seams, hip, and armhole rulers.
•          Paper, primary pencil, red and black Flair markers by Paper Mate
•          Scotch Magic Transparent tape – 1/2” size in a weighted dispenser, paper tape is also helpful.
•          Ziploc bags for pattern pieces (suggested size 11” x 13”)
•          SewKeysE tapes:  Knit stay tape, Woven stay tape, and Double-sided fusible stay tape (1”) or RNK ½” Stitch Perfection Tape

For Sewing:

•          Sewing machine with accessories and feet (edge joining or stitch-in-the-ditch foot, and all-purpose or zig-zag foot, Stretch needle (75/11) ).
•          Many like to bring their serger also. (serger or universal needles size 80/12, or Stretch needle
•          Sewing tools & notions (seam ripper, ruler, pins, scissors, stiletto, marking tools, Microtex 80/12 needles, matching thread, Hot Hemmer ruler, marking tools: chalk recommended, disappearing and wash away (not Frixion) or tracing wheel and chalk paper, or a pattern notcher.
•          Press cloth, Best Press, pressing ham/sleeve roll or clapper/point pressing tool.
•          Press cloth, Best Press.
•          Optional: pressing ham, sleeve roll, clapper

Prep before class:

•          Purchase the pattern and read through to become familiar with the pattern and for further fabric recommendations and notions.
•          Purchase and pre-wash and dry the fabric before first class.
•          You may rough cut around the required pieces to make the pattern easier to manage but do not cut your size out of the original pattern; you can use the original pattern or trace it first in class and we will make pattern adjustments for you.  We will determine your size in class, or you can have Alice measure you ahead of time so you know what size to cut out or trace before class.
•          Many materials will be available to purchase at the class like pattern tracing paper, marking and sewing tools, needles and thread.