Jesse Sewalong Day 3





Welcome back for the third and final day of the Jesse Sewalong where we finish up sewing our t-shirt.
Let's get started.

Step 6 - To prepare the neckband, fold it in half lengthwise with wrong sides touching. Press.

If your ribbing has a tendency to roll like mine, I highly recommend using some spray starch when pressing.

 

Open back up.

Step 7 - With right sides touching, sew the short ends of the neckband together along the center back seam.

Press seam allowances open.

With wrong sides touching, fold the neckband in half on the foldline you created previously, aligning the raw edges, and matching up the center back seam. Press.

 

Step 8 - Divide the neckband into quarters by first placing pins at the center front notch and center back seamline along the lower raw edge. Next, fold the neckband in half by bringing the center front pin to the center back pin. Place a pin at each side fold along the lower raw edge. Your neckband should now be divided into four equal sections along the bottom.

 

Step 9 - Using the same technique from step 8, divide the garment neckline into quarters. First, place pins at center front and center back notches.

Then bring center front to match up with center back, and place pins at the folds.

Note that these quarter markings will not line up with the shoulder seams.

 

Step 10 - With the garment still inside out, insert the neckband into the neck opening so that the right sides of the neckband and garment are touching. Line up the quarter pin markings of the neckband with those of the neckline, being extra careful that the center back, center front, and side markings are all coordinating. Note that the neck- band is slightly smaller than the garment neckline so you will need to stretch it to fit. Add extra pins as needed. 

Step 11 - Sew the neckline seam using a stretch stitch, stretching the slightly smaller neckband evenly between matchpoints to fit into the garment neckline. Press and steam the neckband up and the seam allowances down toward the T-shirt.

Note that it is not a bad idea to baste this in first and check fit. Ribbing can vary and you may find that you want to make the neckband slightly bigger or smaller before completely committing.

 

Step 12 - Using a stretch stitch, topstitch just inside the main T-shirt, 1/8” away from the neckband, catching the seam allowances of the neckband underneath as you sew. Use the steam setting on your iron to press and reshape the neckline as needed.

 

Step 13 - Do a fit check. Shorten sleeves and body length and trim as necessary before proceeding.

Turn the lower edge of each sleeve up by 1” (2.5cm). Pin and press. Or you can use the Heat n Bond Softstretch which is especially helpful with knits with a lot of stretch.

Using a stretch stitch, coverstitch or double stretch needle, stitch 7/8” (2.3 cm) from each folded sleeve hem to secure. Press and use the steam setting on your iron to reshape if necessary. 

Step 14 - Just as you did for the sleeves, turn the lower edge of the T-shirt up by 1” (2.5cm). Pin and press. (Or you can use the Heat n Bond Softstretch)

Using a stretch stitch, coverstitch or double stretch needle, stitch 7/8” (2.3 cm) from the garment hem to secure. Press and use the steam setting on your iron to reshape if necessary.

 

And that is it for our Jesse Sewalong. Give your Jesse a final press and wear it proudly.