I love making knit tees - the beautiful ones that run $50 plus in ready-to-wear. I have found that I can redesign the neckline shape easiest with wax paper.
1. Cut a piece of wax paper shoulder width
2. Draw a line down the center with a sharpie marker- this is
your center front line. The edges perpendicular to this line
on top will be your shoulder seams.
3. Fold the paper in half down the line and cut a wedge out
to create room for your neck. Start cutting on the edges that will be your shoulder seams and cut to the center line about 4 inches down. (sorry about it not being demonstrated. You are going to place the sheet of paper
on your chest with the line being the center front.
The top edges of the paper will be your shoulder seams
that will need a bit of shaping. The cut out is to make room for your neck.
4. Once the wax paper is in place (it does stick to you if you
are a little clammy - wear only a bra). then you can mark
off a neckline. Do this in front of a mirror.
5. Get creative with your necklines and try different shapes.
6. Transfer shape to your teeshirt pattern and remember
to add for seam allowance.
I hope this works for you. I have been trying to develop a way
to simplify this and after trying patternmaking paper, newspaper and fabric, I have found that wax paper is the easiest to work with. It is light and it sticks to you somewhat,
you can see through it best of all. You can really go all out
and mark off your shoulder seam and armseye for a perfect
fitting shoulder.
CSM--Carla said... What a clever idea!! Thank you for sharing this, Ryansmum! I am going to try this! 9/10/07 11:58 PM
SewTwin said... Yea, maybe close to right for once, or no pens in my chest? This is one of those lightbulb moments, why didn't I think of that? I see many uses of this tip for other sewing purposes? 9/11/07 2:24 AM
Helen near Sydney said... I love this idea. What shapes have you created? do you have a favourite or do you experiment? I can see this idea getting a serious workout! 9/11/07 5:37 AM
Irene Q said... Great idea - thanks! 9/11/07 10:08 AM
SSM-Chris said... I think I might give this a try. I too have been using patternmaking paper and lightweight interfacing, but I like the idea that the wax paper will conform to your body a little better. Thanks for sharing! ~Chris 9/11/07 11:05 AM
Susan M said... Great idea! Thanks for sharing. 9/11/07 1:40 PM
utz said... Great idea! 9/11/07 4:28 PM
christine A said... Try using glad Press and seal also. Thanks for the tip. 9/12/07 7:35 PM
mssewcrazy said... This would be great to check one you are unsure of before making a muslin. Almost all necklines are too big on me and show my bra straps. I will definitely use this hint. Thanks. 9/14/07 6:52 AM
Old Geezer said... I will definately use this idea.
Thanks so much. Happy Sewing! 9/15/07 8:28 AM
ConnieLK said... What a great idea! 10/24/07 4:47 PM
What a clever idea!! Thank you for sharing this, Ryansmum! I am going to try this!
9/10/07 11:58 PM
Yea, maybe close to right for once, or no pens in my chest? This is one of those lightbulb moments, why didn't I think of that? I see many uses of this tip for other sewing purposes?
9/11/07 2:24 AM
I love this idea. What shapes have you created? do you have a favourite or do you experiment? I can see this idea getting a serious workout!
9/11/07 5:37 AM
Great idea - thanks!
9/11/07 10:08 AM
I think I might give this a try. I too have been using patternmaking paper and lightweight interfacing, but I like the idea that the wax paper will conform to your body a little better. Thanks for sharing! ~Chris
9/11/07 11:05 AM
Great idea! Thanks for sharing.
9/11/07 1:40 PM
Great idea!
9/11/07 4:28 PM
Try using glad Press and seal also. Thanks for the tip.
9/12/07 7:35 PM
This would be great to check one you are unsure of before making a muslin. Almost all necklines are too big on me and show my bra straps. I will definitely use this hint. Thanks.
9/14/07 6:52 AM
I will definately use this idea. Thanks so much. Happy Sewing!
9/15/07 8:28 AM
What a great idea!
10/24/07 4:47 PM