Tshirt Neckline sew-along
the Allison way. Got to give credit where credit is due. :)
Here's my tshirt ready to have the neckline bound. It's hard to see on the blue, but I have marked the quarter points of the neckline. I bind the neckline after the shirt is entirely constructed but before I hem; not that it really matters, but I thought I'd mention that so everyone knows what they're looking at.
http://www.jaymelee.com/albums/neckline/necklinea.jpg
Here's the binding strip. It's 1½" by about 70% of the tshirt neckline measurement. This is a stretchy rib knit, the ratio of neckline to binding strip will vary depending upon how stretchy your fabric is. Less stretchy = higher percentage and vice versa (just to prove that I paid attention in high school physics, they're inversely proportionate ;) ). I have sewn the binding strip into a circle and finger-pressed the seam allowances open (you could serge the strip, but I like to do it this way so bulk is reduced). Mark the quarter points.
http://www.jaymelee.com/albums/neckline/necklineb.jpg
Starting at the middle of the back, sew/serge the strip to the neckline.
http://www.jaymelee.com/albums/neckline/necklinec.jpg
Stretch the strip (but not the neckline) to line up the quarter point marks. I turn the shoulder seam allowances to the back of the shirt. I do the same thing when serging the sleeves on as well so that seam allowance will lay flat and to the back of the shirt. When you get back around to the starting/ending point overlap a few stitches.
http://www.jaymelee.com/albums/neckline/necklined.jpg
Fold the binding strip around to the inside of the shirt.
http://www.jaymelee.com/albums/neckline/necklinee.jpg
Inside view.
http://www.jaymelee.com/albums/neckline/necklinef.jpg
Coverstitch or twin needle the strip into place. I start slightly behind the right shoulder seam. If you use a twin needle, especially with a stretchy fabric you'll probably need to do as many of the following as possible with your machine ~ adjust your presser foot pressure, increase the differential feed, use a walking foot, starch or otherwise stabilize the area before sewing.
http://www.jaymelee.com/albums/neckline/necklineg.jpg
Continue around the neckline, folding and adjusting the strip into place as you go.
http://www.jaymelee.com/albums/neckline/necklineh.jpg
I overlap the coverstitching slightly.
http://www.jaymelee.com/albums/neckline/necklinei.jpg
Here's a better view off the machine.
http://www.jaymelee.com/albums/neckline/necklinej.jpg
Then I take the shirt to the sewing machine and sew back and forth over the overlapped stitches to prevent the coverstitching from unraveling.
http://www.jaymelee.com/albums/neckline/necklinek.jpg
Trim the excess binding strip on the inside of the neckline as well as any stray threads and...
http://www.jaymelee.com/albums/neckline/necklinel.jpg
... you're done!
http://www.jaymelee.com/albums/neckline/necklinem.jpg
Can someone please challenge me!?
great pics and instructions :)
have you tried doing just 1in strips so you don't have to trim? I was scared to, but did it the last time and it worked out perfectly. I always get so nervous when trimming... scared I will cut into my shirt, came close a couple of times lol
The secret to getting stuff DONE...
That's an awesome sew-along! Thank you so much, it was needed!
I want to make dh a pair of cords...need pattern advice.
Quote:
Originally Posted by faithhopelove
great pics and instructions :)
have you tried doing just 1in strips so you don't have to trim? I was scared to, but did it the last time and it worked out perfectly. I always get so nervous when trimming... scared I will cut into my shirt, came close a couple of times lol
The problem with this is it takes a little more than 1" at the shoulders and the seam where you sewed them together, mostly where you sewing them together. Although, if you straight stitched instead of serging you might be okay.
I sometimes don't fold the 1.5" over snuggly. I fold it so the edge of the ribbing just covers the serging on the inside, it give you a wider binding and then you don't trim either. That is how I did the recess cross shirt in my gallery.
And I never mark it in quarters. Way too much work :)
Convertible dress anyone?
Oh wow! thanks for that sew along. I was just getting ready to go out and sew up a t-shirt too. I wish I had a cover sticher. How can I convince my DH that I need a Cover Sticher and an Embroidery machine. Especially when he can't convince me we need a $3000 lap top :-?