How to make a raglan t-shirt (kids)

1. Materials & tools

Materials (size 110 cm)

• Main fabric (jersey or interlock) — about 150 cm wide × 80 cm (59 × 31 in)
• Contrast knit for the sleeves (optional) — about 50 × 40 cm (20 × 16 in)
• Ribbing for the neckline — about 8 × 45 cm (3 × 18 in)
• Ballpoint machine needle and stretch thread

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Kids' clothes” → “Raglan T-shirt (kids)” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter chest, length, raglan seam length, sleeve length, neck width and ease. Presets cover 90–130 cm.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Trace the pattern
   Trace the front, back and sleeves, and mark the notches on the raglan seams.
2. Cut
   Cut one front and one back on the fold, plus two sleeves.
3. Finish the edges
   Optional on knit, but a serged edge lasts better through repeated washing.

4. Sewing

4-1. Sew the raglan seams

1. Sew the front raglan edge of one sleeve to the front, matching the notches.
2. Sew the back edge of the same sleeve to the back.
3. Repeat for the other sleeve. The neckline is now a complete circle.

4-2. Sides and underarms

1. Sew from the cuff along the underarm and down to the hem in one continuous line on each side.

4-3. Neckband, cuffs and hem

1. Sew the ribbing into a loop, fold it in half and sew it to the neckline, stretching it to fit.
2. Turn the cuffs and hem under and finish with a stretch stitch.

✏️ On children's clothes the neckline has to go over the head. Before you attach the ribbing, check the neckline circumference is larger than the child's head — about 50 cm (20 in) at age three.

5. Tips & variations

• Contrast sleeves: the classic baseball tee, at no extra cost.
• Match with an adult: the adult raglan uses the same construction, so you can make a matching pair.
• Long sleeves: lengthen the sleeve and make it in French terry for winter.