How to make a kids' t-shirt

1. Materials & tools

Materials (child, by height)

• Knit fabric (jersey, interlock) — about 100 cm wide × 50–70 cm
• Ribbing or self fabric for the neckband
• Ballpoint/stretch machine needle and stretch or zigzag stitch

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” → “Kids' T-shirt” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Start from a height preset (80–130 cm), then fine-tune chest, length, sleeve and neckline.
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 cut line and seam line onto the wrong side of the fabric. Align the grain; the stretchiest direction usually goes around the body.
2. Cut
   Cut the front and back each on the fold, and 2 sleeves. Use plenty of pins — knits shift easily.
3. Use a stretch stitch
   Sew with a narrow zigzag, stretch stitch or serger.

4. Sewing

4-1. Sew the shoulders

1. Place front and back right sides together and sew both shoulder seams. Stay tape steadies the seam.

4-2. Add the neckband

1. Cut a neckband about 0.8–0.85× the neckline length and join it into a loop.
2. Fold it in half, pin to the neckline and sew all around while gently stretching the band to fit.
3. Press the seam allowance toward the body and topstitch.

4-3. Set in the sleeves

1. Match the sleeve notch to the shoulder seam and sew each sleeve to the armhole, right sides together (you can do this flat).

4-4. Sew the sides and underarms

1. Sew each side from the hem up to the sleeve cuff in one pass, matching the underarm seams.

4-5. Hem the bottom and cuffs

1. Turn the hem and cuffs under and topstitch with a stretch stitch.
2. Press to finish.

5. Tips & variations

• No serger? A narrow zigzag works; don't pull the fabric as you sew.
• Grow with them: add length and longer sleeves for next season.
• Contrast neckband: a different colour band makes a fun accent.