T-shirt neck alterations

Dear Pat,

You need a matching or contrasting piece of ribbing (sold by the inch). It should be 60% of the circumference of the neck style you want, by twice the desired width (usually at least 1-1/4 inches), plus two seam allowances. Sew the ribbing into a ring. Fold it in half lengthwise. The seam is the center back. Mark the ring into quarters by folding so that the seam is at one side; the opposite side is the center front. Fold again so that the center back and center front are matched, and mark the sides. Do the same thing to the neck of your garment. (Please note that the side marks on the garment will not match the shoulder seams--they'll be a little back from them.) Match the center back mark and the seam together, and take a couple of stitches to hold. Stretch the ribbing to match the side marks; stretch the next section in the same way. Continue stretching the ribbing to the garment to finish.

If you don't have a serger, you can finish the inside seam with a piece of matching bias tape.

Teri

My favorite method: pick out the topstitching (on the back of the shirt and about an inch of the shoulder seam stay tape, trim). Turn the rib collar to the inside and stitch about 1/2" away from the existing stitched edge. (You can make this deeper; I find it helps to leave at least 1/4" of the finished ribing edging.) You can use a serger; good luck getting over the bulky shoulder seams.

Trim the seam allowance. If you guessed accurately, the shoulder tapes are just long enough to be included in the seam.

You could pick the collar off, but then you have to finish the edge somehow, and you wanted quick & easy. I've done several dozen shirts like this and like the results.

HTH

--Karen D.

I"m not sure if this will help you, but there is a book "Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-Shirt" you can get it at the library. It's a cute book .. some good ideas and a couple of bad ones ;) I have used some of the ideas in my own shirts and for my daughters.

Many thanks for the suggestions.....I will try them all. It is crazy to buy them for 12 or 15 dollars when I can get something for 1/4 of that.

Thanks again!!

All my scoop-neck T-shirts have simple hems: I folded a quarter inch to the wrong side, then zig-zagged over the raw edge.

The jersey I made them from is of a better quality than the jersey in my RTW T-shirts, but it might work, and you can sew on a band of cross-cut jersey if it doesn't.

Painting an inch-wide stripe of starch around the prospective hem and letting the shirt dry on a fat hanger before cutting will make it easier to sew.

Joy Beeson

On Aug 18, 12:38 pm, Joy Beeson wrote

I just found a t-shirt that I altered several years ago that I forgot about. This would work to change yours into a V neck, but you need to use 2 shirts. Pin 2 T shirts together, right sides facing. Draw in the neck that you want (I made mine all crazy around, but you can do just a straight V. Sew the new neckline, then sew the arms, you can also sew the bottom or not, just make sure you sew the bottom after you have turned it right side out. Cut away excess fabric. Turn right side out. You may need to tack the shoulders, I didn't have to and it worked fine for me. I also topped stitched, but I don't think you would have to if you didn't want to. You don't need to use innerfacing and the shirt is reversible. Best o' luck.

I don't bother with the elastic -- but I do put a couple of very small darts at the back of the neck. (I've had a small dowager's hump all my life.)

Joy Beeson

I'm watching this thread. I also have about half a dozen crew neck very comfy long sleeve T shirts. I bought them just because of the price. I never liked the crew neck look. Please post after you've finished your alteration explaining what you did. May be with a picture or two.

I'm making lot of mistakes with my sewing. I can only hope to learn from them. These T shirt alterations make me nervous because of the knit fabric. I'm going to read that book knit chic suggested.

Thanks.

I found this article on line with instructions and pictures on how to make a T shirt. It includes a section on neck finishing.

Great link--------good info!! Many thanks.