A How To Guide to sew your own T-shirts.
posted : 06/15/2005
Many people are familiar with the art of sewing, but there are also many who are not. Here I will provide you beginners with a “how to” guide for sewing patches and sewing/resizing shirts that should at least give you a start and an idea of how it’s all done.
 Step # 1 You have to get some small (2 inches long or so) needles and thread (refer to pictures to see examples). Any local arts/crafts or Kmart type store should have what you need, ask for assistance if necessary, most people will know where to direct you.
Step #2: Once you have your supplies -scissors, needle, thread- you are ready to start! Take the thread and choose however long of a piece you think you will need (for small patches you will probably not need longer then a foot of thread, large patches and shirts will need more). Remember that if you need to use a foot of thread you will need to cut two feet since when you thread the needle you will be tying the two ends together, thus making it one foot of useable thread. After you have the thread cut it is time to thread the needle. There is a small hole at the top of the needle and the thread needs to go through it. It may take a few tries but you’ll eventually get it through. Now tie the two ends of the thread together at the top, making the knot large enough so that it can’t go through your patch/shirt fabric. (refer to pictures to see example)
This whole process may have to be repeated several times if you are sewing a shirt or larger patch since it is hard to judge how long your thread will need to be to complete the job.
SEWING PATCHES:
Time to start the sewing process for patches. Place the patch on your shirt/sweatshirt/etc where you want it to go. The point on the patch where you start sewing doesn’t matter, as long as it is the edge of the material (not too close to the edge though, about a quarter of an inch in). Stick the needle through the patch first (making sure it also goes through the shirt/sweatshirt material underneath it) and then poke the needle back through the shirt material only (about a quarter of an inch on the outside of the patch). Stick the needle through the patch again (quarter of an inch from the last place you poked through), and repeat the process over and over again until you have secured the whole patch on. When you have gotten to the end of your stitching you will need to make a knot (as close to the patch/fabric as possible and large enough so that it doesn’t go through the fabric) and cut above the knot to release the needle and extra thread. How far away the stitches are from each other varies, closer stitches will make it tighter and more secure. (refer to picture to see example)
SEWING/RESIZING SHIRTS:
Have you seen a shirt that you like but its two sizes too big? Instead of passing it up, you should get it and re-size it yourself! Find a shirt that you own that fits you good and place it on top of the shirt that you want to resize. Make a few marks on the shirt that you are resizing so that you can cut it out in the shape of the shirt that fits you good (refer to pictures for an example). After cutting the shirt so it is smaller, it’s time to sew it back together! Start at the bottom of the shirt on either side and stick the needle through the front half and out the back. Bring the needle back around and stick it through the front again and out the back again, and repeat the whole way up the shirt to the end of the sleeves. When you have gotten to the end of your stitching you will need to make a knot (as close to the fabric as possible and large enough so that it doesn’t go through the fabric) and cut above the knot to release the needle and extra thread. Make sure the stitches are close together to ensure a tight and secure sewing job. (refer to picture to see example)
Hopefully this sewing “how to” was a help for you and starts you on your way. If you have any questions feel free to send them to: info@undergroundactionalliance.org
- 06/21/2005 Make your own Underground Action Alliance "Worst President Ever!" Stencil T-shirt - This design was originaly called the "One Term President" stencil (www.onetermpresident.org).
However, some of you might remember it from the the last Anti-Flag album, "The Terror State".
Well, as you all know by now, ole'dubbya got his ass re-elected and so we here at Underground Action Alliance decided to update the original design and make it available to you for free!
We're calling it the "Worst President Ever" stencil!
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