Sew a T-shirt with elastic thread.

No overlock – no coverlock – no twin needles? You can work with stretch fabric with the new thread Mettler Seraflex.

I noticed the announcement and want to test it.

So here we go!

What do I need:

• A good T-shirt pattern
• Stretch fabric
• Mettler Seraflex thread in the right colour, for bobbin and spool.
• My BERNINA 710
• A jersey machine needle

Let’s start:

I cut out the pattern and take marks for darts and sleeve top.

I sew the darts, the sleeve seam, one shoulder seam and the backseam. While sewing, I stretch the fabric a little.

And I like the result:

Next, I need a 3,5 cm wide tape, to fold in two. This must be sewn to the neckline.

A standard length for the tape is about 80%, depending on the kind of stretch fabric you use. Be sure to cut it a little longer, in case you need to redo it and it could be too short.

Do not stretch the tape equally along the neckline. Watch the shirt: the more straight the part of the neckline, the less you need to stretch. The more curved the part you’re working on, the more you are stretching. This is especially the part in the middle front of the shirt. I pin both parts together and keep a seam allowance of 0,7 cm.

And I start sewing the tape to the shirt. I take the open embroideryfoot 20 and guide it along the side.

After sewing and checking, I topstitch the seam with the edgefoot nr 10 .

Now it’s time to close the other shoulder seam.

Next I sew the sleeves and I finish with the bottom seam and sleeve seams.

I fold the seam over and sew two parallel lines.

Ready and as promised: no overlock – no coverlock – no twin needles!

Oh, how I like a colourful shirt, I can take it to work on fresh spring days.