BERNINA Corporate Blog -Hello sewing enthusiasts! I’m Sonja, owner of the pattern label Creavision Lab, and I passionately sew clothes for my son (and of course also for myself). In this post, I will show you how to sew a cool, summery kids’ shirt with panel divisions.
This sewing version is especially great for combining your favorite fabrics and using up fabric scraps.
As a base for the shirt with panels, you can use the “Kids Shirt Box” from Creavision Lab – here the panels are already drawn in the pattern. The instructions also work with other shirt patterns. I will show you all the sewing steps in detail in the following guide. Have fun sewing along!
Materials Needed:
- Pattern “Kids Shirt Box” from Creavision Lab (already includes panel divisions) or another kids’ shirt pattern
- Stretch fabrics such as cotton jersey, viscose jersey, wool jersey, rib jersey, French terry
- Optional matching ribbing fabric for the neckband
- Matching sewing thread or overlock thread
- Fabric scissors or rotary cutter with cutting mat
- Fabric clips and/or pins
- Sewing machine, e.g. BERNINA 540 and BERNINA L 860
Creating Panels on the Pattern
If you use a different pattern than the “Kids Shirt Box,” I’ll show you below how to add the panel divisions.
Draw the desired panel lines on the pattern. Then cut the pattern piece apart along these lines.
Attach paper strips to the edges of the pattern pieces. This serves as a base to mark the seam allowance. Draw a second line parallel to all panel lines at a distance of 1 cm (or according to your needs, e.g., 0.7 cm). These lines should be a bit longer on both sides than the panel lines.
Place a set square at a right angle on a panel line. Slide the set square along the line until the 1 cm mark on the set square meets the newly drawn line. Mark this point. Connect the marked point with the corner of the panel line. Repeat this step for all other panel lines.
Transfer the finished pattern pieces onto the fabric and cut out the panels.
Sewing Instructions for the Kids’ Shirt with Panels
Pin the upper pattern piece right sides together to the middle pattern piece and sew.
Then pin the lower pattern piece right sides together to the middle pattern piece and sew.
Press the seam allowances toward the hem. Optionally, you can topstitch the seams close to the edge. Also, press the seam allowances at the hem of the back piece and optionally topstitch close to the edge.
Fold the hem edges of the front and back pieces to the wrong side of the fabric and press the hem evenly starting from the center.
Place the front and back pieces right sides together and sew the shoulder seams. Then press the seam allowances toward the back piece.
Unfold the shirt so that the right side of the fabric is facing up. Pin the sleeve right sides together to the armhole using the notches and sew it in. Attach the second sleeve the same way. This works the same for a shirt with short sleeves.
Then place the front and back pieces right sides together and sew the side seams and sleeve seams continuously on both sides.
Fold the previously pressed hem of the shirt and sleeves 2 cm to the wrong side using the notches as a guide and pin.
Turn the shirt right side out and sew the hem all around with a stretch stitch (e.g. zigzag stitch) or a twin needle.
Fold the neckband in half lengthwise right sides together and sew the short open edges together to form a ring. Then press the seam allowances open.
Next, fold the sewn neckband ring in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press the fold.
Turn the shirt inside out. Then slide the neckband with the folded edge first into the neckline and pin: the back center, front center, and shoulder markings should all match.
Sew the neckband evenly around while stretching it slightly. Make sure the shirt fabric itself does not stretch. Finally, press the neckline. And the shirt is done.
Happy sewing and see you next time!
Yours, Sonja
More patterns, sewing inspiration & tutorials can be found on my Facebook & Instagram channels.
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