How to Custom Design and Make Your Own Shirt

If you’ve ever wanted to make your own shirt either because you have clever quips or a message to deliver to the world, or just for the fun of it there are several different ways you can go about it.  First off, you can go to a fabric store and pick up a few square yards of flexible, breathable cotton, some elastic, thread and a stencil and take your materials home for a some good, old-fashioned textile crafting.  You’re in for a long day if you aren’t handy with a sewing machine, but either way this is a dexterous method to spend an afternoon, and when you’re done you have something you can be proud of because you constructed it yourself.

Though I’m sure this would be a valuable exercise in self-reliance, a less compromising approach would involve starting with plain shirts (the simple white tee being the most popular) and charting across them on your creative adventure.  If you already have your design or stencil than it’s just a matter of crafting the emblem or words or pictures onto the fabric.  You can do this via iron-on, screen press, or embroidery.  Technical skill is not necessarily a requirement to make your own shirt, especially if it’s only for personal use, but it helps.

There are several reasons why you might choose to make your own shirt.  Perhaps you have a special event, like a family or school reunion, or a bachelorette party, and want to unify your group during your outing.  Maybe you are part of an organization looking for exposure (think of a charity group, PTA, or political campaign) on a budget.  Of course, you could just feel like doing something frivolous, in which case a silly or sarcastic remark or picture would be perfect.  It’s all up to you, and that’s the fun part!

Aside from the countless design options, you may also want to examine different fabrics and shirt styles.  You could start with the simple white cotton tee, but you might also want to look at the different colors available.  Long sleeve, Henley, and tank tops are all variations you might consider.  Button-up styles typically yield more available print space on the back and express a different mood but in the end serve the same purpose.  Sweatshirt varieties—pullover, track, and hooded—also serve to diversify your many communicable options, so take the time to define your needs when you decide to make your own shirt.

You can start from scratch and buy your own fabric, but that takes specialized knowledge and time to perfect the art.  It would probably be best to find an online supplier for this attire, who can help you make your own shirt, through their interactive website.  Place a special order and the work is done for you!  It’s often less expensive than hiring a specialist at a retail store and also gives you more options for styles, fabrics, and prints, and it’s easier than driving all over town to find the best deal.