changing neckline on t shirts

Hi all,

I have a ton of t shirts that I rarely wear. I really prefer scoop necklines
and I would like to change the necklines on these t shirts to scoop neck lines.

A couple years ago on a sewing show I saw a demo on how to do this... and of
course I really don't remember the steps.

Vaguely, it was copy the neckline of a shirt you like and use something like
interfacing to sew this new neckline on to the right side of the shirt. Then
cut out the excess material (old neckline) and flip the interfacing to the
inside. I assume you'd need to stitch this down.

Any ideas?

Susan

Hi Susie,
I do shirt restyling for clients, and it is not difficult.
I like to have the client wear the shirt, and when she decides how low
she wants the new, scooped out neckline to be, I mark it on the center
front, with a safety pin,and she ok's it.
With the shirt on the cutting table, draw a seam allowance cutting
line, 1/2 to 5/8 inch to the outside of the new scooped line. Blend the
new neckline into the old in the shoulder area, so that you will be able
to sew the new front facing to the back facing-- (which is still
attached to the shirt, right? ( Use tailor's chalk, or disappearing
pencil) Use a french curve to true the neckline. Sew a line of stay
stitching just inside the finished neck line,before you cut it, to keep
the fabric from stretching as you handle it.
You'll have to cut a facing from another fabric; ( if you are
shortening a dress, sometimes you can salvage enough from the
trimmed-off hem to make a facing.)
I don't think interfacing, by itself, is sturdy enough. Cut the
facing by laying the lowered dress neckline on paper, and draw a facing
shape to fit, 2 to 2 1/2 inches wide. Don't forget the seam allowance on
the facing, too--shoulder and inner neckline areas.
Interface the new facing, clean finish the outer edge, sew the new
front facing to the (old) back facing at the shoulder seams.Pin the
facing to the front neckline, and stitch it in. Stitch a second time.
Trim the seam allowances very close to the seam, so that the facing will
roll to the inside and behave itself. I like to either grade the seam,
or use pinking shears to trim it.
Now, press the facing and the wee trimmed seam out, away from the
garment. Then undersew: just inside, at the top of the facing,working on
the right side of the fabric,
you'll sew a line of stitching, catching the wee (pressed flat) seam
allowances in the stitching. This will ensure that the facing doesn't
roll out. Hope I didn't miss a vital step--I don't think so.
Cea
---

changing neckline on t shirts

<sus...@aol.com (Susiemw)

WOW!! Thank you so much. I really appreciate your taking the time to post
these directions.

One question:
What kind of fabric would you suggest I use for the facing if I'm redoing the
neckline of tshirts?

Thank you so much!!

Susan

<<Susie, You're welcome!
<<I never have a problem with the replacement facing fabric--a BIG
stash comes in handy. Use a fabric which matches in stretch, and about
the same weight. If, for example, your shirt is red cotton knit, you
might use a small cotton knit print with red in it, for the facing. If
it is a plain ole' white T, and you are bit of a purist, buy 1/4 yd of
white cotton T material, and cut your facing. (1/8 yd usually isn't long
enough to fit the facing curve on. You can carry the traced-off facing
to the fabric store and plop it down on the fabric to see exactly how
much you need.) Be sure to cut the facing on the fold of the fabric.
(Grainlines matter!!)
BTW, I don't try to match solid colors.(Reds, blacks, blues,
particularly). It is an impossible task, as every fabric/ blend/weave
takes the color differently.
Cea
---
Re: changing neckline on t shirts
<From: Susiemw---