pieced t-shirt pattern

A year or two ago, I saw this style of t-shirt on the Sewing Mamas site, a forum with many talented ladies that I hardly ever get to visit. I can not give any design credits, since I simply can not remember, but the style stuck in my mind and I have wanted to make something similar ever since.



This tee is a basic t-shirt pattern with set in sleeves that has been cut up into different blocks, to create a raglan tee/layered look. I love that I managed to get in stripes, zig zags, polka dots, and a solid block (from my old green tee) all in one shirt.



Want to make a pieced t-shirt pattern for yourself?

Begin with a regular t-shirt pattern WITHOUT SEAM ALLOWANCES. As it happens, I used an Ottobre pattern, but you can make your own pattern from an existing tee in yours or your child's wardrobe with this tutorial.

Trace your t-shirt pattern (sans seam allowances) onto regular paper and pull out a pencil and some paper cutting scissors.



Starting with the sleeve, pencil in a line about where you would like your shirt to be divided, mimicking a short sleeve tee over top a long sleeve tee. Cut along that line and label them Sleeve Cap and Sleeve Bottom (or whatever makes sense to you.)



To create the raglan tee look over the shoulders, draw a slightly curvy line that dips towards the center of the front piece (see photo below). For the back, the slight curved line should dip slightly away from the center of the back piece (again, see photo below). Cut along your drawn lines.



Your current collection of pieces should be similar to this:



To eliminate the shoulder seam, the front and back shoulder pieces can be joined together with a bit of tape and cut as one piece.



Viola, pattern finished.

When cutting your pieces, ADD BACK THE SEAM ALLOWANCES. Also, pay attention to cutting along the grain for the shoulder piece, or aligning any horizontal lines along the joined pieces so that they sit on the squarely on the shoulder (wonkiness here will definitely be noticed by you, if no one else).

When sewing, join your front and back pieces to the shoulders before you sew on the sleeves (and the two sleeve pieces together also, if you like). Then assemble your t-shirt pattern as per usual. (I usually sew in the sleeve and then close the sides, but it is a personal preference.) For anyone out there still a little freaked about sewing with knits, pop over here and have a quick read. It is so much easier than you think it is.