Shade Shirt Wanna-Be

I have several favorite shirts.  And as I have explained in previous posts--If I find something I like--I usually buy SEVERAL of them--just in different colors.  So if you were to parooze (sp?) my closet--you would find little variety in styles--but a little more variety in colors.  (I know--I'm lame that way!) 

Anyhoo, So my very FAVORITE T-shirts (and yes I have 3 of them) are made by SHADE CLOTHING.  (Love those guys!)  And they look like this:

 I have had the shirts for several years--and I was JUST about to order some more when I found out that SHADE IS GOING OUT OF BUSINESS!!!  (Sob!)  So I quickly went online to see if I could order anything before they closed up shop ONLY TO FIND EVERYTHING WAS SOLD OUT IN MY SIZE!!!!  BUMMER!!!

And I have worn the shirts so much that some of them are doing this:

See how the neck line is getting all stretchy and bubbly?  The elasticity in the Spandex is dieing and it is making the shirt look all funny!

 I HAVE to retire these shirts--but I need a replacement--and I can no longer buy one!!  Wah!!

So what is a girl to do? 

I guess I just have to try and MAKE ONE.

I remembered that I had some stretchy knit fabric in my stash that was exactly like the fabric for these shirts.  So I got out the fabric and got out my favorite shirt.

I laid the fabric down first on the fold--then I folded my shirt in half as well and laid it on top of my fabric.

(Now SORRY--I don't have many pictures of what I did--as I was in the ZONE and wanted to get the project done before little people started waking up from their naps--and I didn't know if it would turn out anyway--so I figured I would just sew it up--and if it worked I would HAVE to do it again sometime and THEN I would take some more pictures! )

Next I cut around my shirt back leaving about 5/8" seam allowance.

Then I refolded the remaining fabric and folded the shirt again so that I could do the same thing and cut out the shirt front.

Then I matched shoulder seams and side seams and sewed it up.

Then I finished off the sleeves and the neckline by cutting a 3/4" strip of fabric and folding it in half.  Then I sandwiched the edge of the neckline/sleeves in between the strip of fabric and sewed it in place. 

And that was how I made this:

Ok--So the only modification I made to the shirt from the original Shade Shirt was the sleeves.  They stuck out a little funny after I added the trim around the edges--so I quickly added a little tuck/pleaty thingy on the edge. 

 I just gathered up the fabric and hand tacked it in place. 

Oh--and I used a double needle to hem the bottom of the shirt.  It gives it a nice professional looking edge.

(I may try this on the sleeves as well next time.)

Here is my crazy psycho picture taking face.  I added this for your viewing pleasure and amusement.  You may laugh at my face--but please ignore the crazy hair and no makeup!  It was a work day--what can I say?

And after it is all said and done--I LOVE THE SHIRT!!  It fits JUST LIKE THE SHADE SHIRT!!  It was SO MUCH EASIER than I thought it would be.  I am super happy with how it turned out!  And now I have to go shopping to buy more fabric to make some more!!

(Next time I will take more pictures--I promise!)

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