How to Copy a Shirt

***For more details and videos, please visit How to Copy a Shirt.***

I used stretch velvet fabric. You can make this shirt from practically any fabric-- being stretchy helps it slide over your head. *** Here is a great selection of fabrics.***

This is one of my favorite shirts. When I saw one for sale in silver, I knew I wanted one! And I thought I could make it myself.

1. I saved brown packing paper from boxes I received in the mail. It was perfect for making a pattern! First, I smoothed out the shirt fabric to trace.
2. I used a black marker to trace around the back of the shirt, making it a little bigger to allow for a seam.
3. Then I cut it out.
4. I labeled it "Shirt Back." Then I laid out the shirt with the pattern on top to see if it matched.
5. I folded the pattern in half and trimmed it so both sides would be symmetrical.
6. I marked and cut notches to mark the neck opening, and drew the seam allowance just for fun.
7. I used the same method to cut the Shirt Front.
8. Be sure to draw past the shoulders to allow for the seam. Did you notice that the shirt is inside out on purpose, to better trace the pieces?
9. Since it needs to be symmetrical, fold it in half. I decided to just tear my pattern in half and cut it on a fold just like a regular pattern would do. It is easier than cutting the entire shirt flat.
10. Lastly, I traced a sleeve on a folded paper. I could have traced the shirt front and back this way.
11. Cutting the shirt sleeve on a fold in the paper made it a lot easier than trying to figure out the sleeve shape unfolded!!
12. Measure the folded fabric to make sure it is folded evenly.
13. Pin the pattern to the folded fabric.
14. Make sure your velvet runs soft when you rub your hand on it, the same direction for all your pieces. (Notice these are my fabric scissors!)
15. Pin the Shirt Back on a fold.
16. Then cut it out.
17. Pin the sleeve piece on two layers of fabric. This is a great beginner sewing project. It doesn't get much easier than 4 pieces to make a shirt with sleeves! (1. Copy Shirt onto paper. 2. Cut new fabric from pattern. 3. Sew shirt.)
18. Pin the side and shoulder seams.
19. Pin the shoulder seam.
20. Pin the other shoulder seam.
21. Begin by sewing the side seams. Finish the side seam.
22. Sew the shoulder seams next. Finish the second shoulder seam. At this point I tried it on. It fit great! It's easier to make cutting/sewing adjustments now, before adding sleeves.
23. Fold the sleeve piece and sew its short seam.
24. Then hem each sleeve.
25. With velvet, it's better to go darker rather than lighter with the thread color.
26. More sleeve hemming…
27. This is the hardest part (besides hemming the neck)…. attaching the sleeve to the body.
28. Pin the seams together, then find the center top of the sleeve to pin to the shoulder seam. Clip the curves a little to help it fit.
29. The first sleeve turned out so well!
30. I decided to hem the neck by doing a rolled hem but in two steps. Fold over once, sew all around. Fold over again, sew all around again.
31. The neckline is the most vulnerable area. If you make any sewing mistakes, they will be seen unless you wear a scarf!
32. Sewing around the neck.
33. Finishing the neckline.
34. Lastly, sew a wide rolled hem around the bottom.

***For more details and videos, please visit How to Copy a Shirt.***

If you would rather just purchase a new top than make one yourself, then I would recommend this one!

Three pieces-- that's all you need!

The new shirt fits just like my old one did!

I'm so happy with how it turned out! ***For more great projects, please visit me at my blog, B4 and Afters.***