Make the Perfect White Shirt from a Men’s T-Shirt

Perfect White Shirt

The perfect white shirt is comfortable. It fits loosely but maintains its shape. It’s casual chic and both warm and breathable. This tutorial will give you the steps needed to make the perfect shirt from a t-shirt you probably already have. We’ll go over how to make both a v-neck and crew neck style.

Old T-Shirts

T-Shirts are one of the most common wardrobe staples. Most people have a drawer full of them at home. White T-shirts are part of a uniform for many working women and men. Shirts made with 100% cotton are cool and breathable making them perfect for all day wear.

My last job required me to wear a white T-shirt under a collared blue button up. I found that the best quality and price was at Costco. The Kirkland Signature 6 pack for $18.99 was my best friend.

After finding a new job, I was left with several lightly used white T-shirts that I really wasn’t sure what to do with, until now.

How to Make the Perfect White Shirt from an old T-Shirt

What you will need:

• White T-shirt that fits well in the shoulders and body.
• Fabric Shears or Scissors
• Straight Pins
• White Thread
• Sewing Machine
• Basic Sewing Skills

Steps:

Hemming the Sleeves:

Begin by turning the shirt inside out. Using fabric shears, cut off the factory finished edges on the sleeves.

Resew the sleeves. I don’t bother pinning these, but you can if you prefer. Just aline the fold with the 1/2 inch mark and use the foot to guide you.

Hemming the Bottom:

Use a shirt that you know fits well to gauge how much to cut off the bottom. Leave an extra inch for seam allowance. I cut 2 inches off my shirts. If you have it, a rotary blade and mat make a quick and clean cut on this step.

**Keep the excess fabric from the bottom because we will reuse it to make the collar facing.** Note: If the t-shirt you’re working with doesn’t need to be hemmed, that’s ok. You will just need extra fabric from something else to make the collar facing.

Resew the bottom. Again, I don’t bother pinning this part. This time, align the fold with the 5/8 inch mark and sew around. Sew around again at the 1/2 inch mark.

V-neck Option:

For the v-neck, you will need to make a pattern. On tissue paper, trace the v-neck of a shirt that you find flattering and cut out the pattern. Fold the pattern in half to make sure it is symmetrical.

Next, cut out the collar staying close to the factory finished edge. Then, lay the pattern on the t-shirt and trace the line before cutting out.

Facing for the V-neck Option:

Time to reuse the fabric cut off from the bottom of the t-shirt to make the facing. If you did not hem your shirt, you’ll just need an approximately 1 inch wide strip of fabric, measuring at least the perimeter of the neck hole.

First, lay the ends along the front of the V as shown. Trim the edges at an angle to make it easier to sew.

Once sewn, finger press open and pin along the opening. The shirt should be right side out with the facing on the right side of the shirt.

Pin up to just past the shoulder seams and then pinch the excess fabric together. Sew the excess fabric and trim. Finger press open and then you’re ready to sew!

Use the 3/8 mark or presser foot to guide you and sew around.

Turn the facing to the inside and repin. You may find it helpful to press with an iron. Press the hemmed sleeves and bottom at this time too. Sew at the 1/2 half inch mark to match the sleeves.

Crew Neck Option:

The crew neck option is easier than the v-neck, because there is no need for a pattern, and the facing only needs to be trimmed and sewn once. See the photos for the difference in pinning the facing.

Notes on the Perfect White Shirt

You see, perfection is attainable. And it exists within what you already have. With a few alterations, old becomes new, and all is right in the world when wearing something made by you.

Check out Taking in the Sides of a Shirt for more tips on getting the perfect fit out of your shirts.

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