Preparing to hand stitch a shirt.

Yes that is right, I am going to walk you through on what to do to hand stitch a shirt. First we need to go shopping, yes shopping. There are things that you need to have before we can go and just whip out a shirt. The very first thing you need to need to think about is what color of a shirt do you want.

There are many types of material to use. The best options that I have found are prints that have a date on the edge (it was made between 1840-1870. Now it is heavier than a standard cotton, but is period and looks great or at least I think it does), cotton muslin, or a "home spun" material. They are as close as you can get to period without having to dig to hard. Where do you find these materials? JoAnns Fabrics, Wal-Mart, Hobby Lobby, the local 5 and dime, or sewing shops. There are tons of places to get material.

The material will cost any where from $1 a yard(very rare) to $5 a yard and more. The average I have found is about $2.50 a yard. You will need about 4 yards, this will be more than enough, but we will need some extra for future projects, also in case you make a mistake, which happens. I would get a cheaper(in cost not quality) material for your first hand stitched shirt. That way if you totally bomb it your not out a bunch of money and/or you can get more material to fix the boo boo.

We have our material!!! YaY!! Next issue. Thread. This is a simple dilemma, either white, a contrasting color or a matching color. You choose. I use lots of white because it is cheap and I am lazy and don't want to take a swath of material to 4 different stores to find out they don't have one shade darker than royal blue to match the blue I am using in my white and blue checked shirt. I just use white.

Buttons. Don't use plastic buttons, please. Use a paper back tin, pewter, glass, china, porcelain, bone or wood. eBay, online sutlers, or going to a local sutler or one at en event makes shopping easy. If you buy in bulk you get a better price, but do you need 400 buttons?

Needles. There are tons of types of these, don't sped $2 on a set of 3 needles when you can get them a lot cheaper than that. I loose about 3-4 week and buy them in bulk. Granted my butt and/or feet find quite a few of the needles.

Pins. Just a box of straight pins, you will only need about 15 or 20 but 50 is nice to have if they are the same price.

An old sheet you don't mind cutting up. You can get one real cheap at a consignment store. Don't go out and buy one, use what you have or can get cheap.

Black maker, sharpie, whatever. You will need this to label and so on.

A measuring tape. I have one I bought at the local fabric store, get one, you will need it.

A straight edge I cannot draw straight, let alone free hand cut very straight.

Speaking of which, a good pair of scissors or a new pair for the local Dollar store or Wally World. You want the sharp edge. You will thank me later.

A large table.

Good lighting.

And whatever else you may need to keep yourself happy for a while.

How long does it take a hand sew a shirt? My first shirt took 24 hours. I can sew shirt from start to stop in 20 hours. When sewing the shirt do it in chapters. Only do on thing at a time. Don't be sewing, making a pattern, and cutting another piece out all at the same time. Do all of the pattern making, then cut out the material and then sew it.

But, Medic, I don't have a pattern. YOU ARE CORRECT!!! I am currently converting the pattern to measurements and photos so you can see what the pattern is and I will give you basic assembly instructions. After that I will then show you how to sew a shirt. So, folks, not this post or the next one, but the one after we will begin to sew.

-Medic