How To Sew a V Neck T-shirt

How to get a nice V on a knit v neckline with an overlapping neckband.
For more information, V neck t-shirt sewing patterns, and a photo tutorial, here’s the blog post with more details: mellysews.com/sew-v-neck-t-sh...

[@yasmineway5229]

I couldn't understand the pattern, but I found your tutorial. It was very clear and understandable. Thank you. My dress came out wonderful!

[@kathywandelmaier1162]

Melissa, I love your vintage Singer. My mom taught me to sew on the same (or almost the same) machine. When my mom passed away I had her machine refurbished in order to sell it. Finally had to let it go to someone who was going to use it for parts. It's nice to know you see the value in these sturdy old machines. i would have kept it myself but I already have a vintage Bernina and three other machines. Thank you for the great videos.

[@Mellysews]

I understand - I had to downsize some of my vintage machines recently - it's hard!

[@conniebreeze3490]

It is a beautiful machine ..I have a travel size singer in the case it's rather old it was .y grandmothers....I love that machine ..its one of the black old singers..i also have a newer Brother model...

[@sewjojolanda4769]

This was very helpful, thank you! I just made my first v neck using this tutorial and it turned out perfect!

[@Mellysews]

Congrats on your first one!

[@LadyJusticehair]

this helped me out a lot!!! its hard to understand the pattern directions but seeing someone do it first is so much easier. thank you!

[@Mellysews]

+LadyJustice Happy to help!

[@anthonykirkendhall4344]

Excellent tutorial!!! But sewing over the pins and at that speed. WOW! You are brave... Now if I tried that, my needle would probably break!! Great job.

[@Mellysews]

I'm not always sewing as fast as it appears in the videos - I do use a fast forward effect sometimes so they're not too long.

[@iiiiiris7]

I saw this tutorial on Pinterest now i am SUPER happy to watch the tutorial in a videooo! So much easier!! :D

[@TheBIOSDestroyer]

Thanks for the tips Melly! I almost gave up on the v-neck I was sewing. I am very grateful and you're awesome!

[@Mellysews]

+S. Stinyard Glad to help!

[@tan1224]

That was so helpful. When reading patterns, things tend to read like another language. I have given up on many projects b/c of v-necks. Never thought to sew the V during the top stitching and pulling the threads through and thing off like a dart. I follow your blog and live your sewing tips. Keep up the good work. You and few other bloggers make it look so easy :-)

[@bethh6527]

Love that you're working on a Rocketeer! Thanks for the tutorial - just sewed my first V-neck t-shirt yesterday, and I knew it should be easier than the struggle I had...!

[@Mellysews]

Glad to help!

[@dianacruzhiatt1364]

I love the sound your machine makes.

[@Mellysews]

Thanks!

[@Lady_Bug63]

why is't this video at the top op the list, it's the best, clearest video on youtube. glad I found you Melissa!

[@Mellysews]

+Irina Wolf Glad you liked it, thanks for watching!

[@Knittyneeds]

Excellent tutorial. V necks are so difficult even in knitting so the necks are always round. With your help and an easy to follow step by step tutorial I will definitely achieve a perfect V neck on kids clothes. Thanks for sharing. 👕😊

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@leesawillard4104]

You are such a great teacher and I love people who share knowledge 🙂 thank you

[@Mellysews]

Thanks!

[@janmariemarlin]

You are awesome! Thank you for making such a helpful video.

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@EmptySeashell]

I am so happy that you were inspired to make more videos! (Thanks, crafty gemini!) I subscribe to your newsletter which is how I found my way to your channel. Yay! This was an excellent tutorial. Your editing was seamless (sewing pun!), and I especially enjoyed the begin-a-line-of-stitching and-now-it's done cuts. The directions and your delivery are clear and perfectly paced as always. Your machine is beautiful - what in the world is it? And, holy cow, I am jealous (in the best possible way) of your standing-while-stitching set up. I knew I needed to modify my sewing table to accommodate both sitting and standing, so my jealousy has evolved into motivation to finally make it happen. Thank you! I do have a tiny question about technique... at the very end when you push the needle threads to the wrong side with the help of a hand sewing needle, is there a reason you didn't use the bobbin tails (prior to snipping) to gently tug a small loop of the needle thread to the back to then pull it through by hand? I use this technique both at home and at work, but I primarily sew with wovens, though I'm pretty sure it'd work with a gentle hand on knits. Thanks and please keep them coming!

[@IPv6Freely]

Thank you for this! I'm about to try making my own ice hockey jerseys and this overlapped v-neck is the design I want to use. This is so helpful, thank you!!

[@Mellysews]

Glad it was helpful!

[@emilybrunson8250]

Worked like a charm! Thanks for the tips!

[@Mellysews]

Glad to help!

[@MWCharke]

Thank for the video. I didn't know how to do a neckline and all through the video I kept laughing and going "oh, of course". I never thought you'd have to flip it but it seems in the world of sewing everything gets flipped, tucked and hidden. And it looks a lot easier than the disasters I have attempted over the years. Thanks, you may have saved someone from choking on my craft! :)

[@Mellysews]

+Mark Charke Glad to help, thanks for watching!

[@jessicaregan29]

Thank you so much for this!! It helped me finally figure out how to get a decent V-neck on my shirt!

[@Mellysews]

No problem!!

[@GewoonelsJustels]

Very clear tutorial, thank you!

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@LifeWithDevanteB]

Very well explained! Thank you.

[@MelissaMora-mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@misottovoce]

Great tutorial...very tidy, neat technique. Thank you!

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@kathy-nf2kg]

HI, I L O V E your Singer 500A, I have one and they are GREAT. One of the best machine's I have. Oh, and thank you for sharing.

[@Mellysews]

0376kathy Thanks! I still have her as a backup machine, but my main machine now is a Baby Lock Elizabeth.

[@demogirlsworld]

I decided to make a pattern from one of my favourite t-shirts and while that came out excellent I was stumped on the neckline as theirs was different and I was looking for an easier way. Thank you for sharing this method. It was the first google search I clicked on and I was not disappointed. I didn't end up flipping anything as I just worked around the outside perimiter. The V itself folded over this way is the simplest IMHO. My t-shirt had small pleats at the front so it still worked perfectly with your method. My fabric is a cotton poly blend medium weight t-shirt jersey both for the main body and neckline. Thanks again - you have a new subscriber too :-D

[@Mellysews]

Glad it was helpful!

[@demogirlsworld]

@@Mellysews Indeed, thank you so much. I will be doing all my future tops and my kiddos tops too using this method.

[@WalkingGreenEyes]

Very nice the way you explain.

[@DeniseOforiwah]

Very neat and nice

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@happydarkness1524]

i was looking exactly for this... nice job

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@nataliebateman6980]

Such a helpful tutorial, thank you 😊

[@Mellysews]

Glad it was helpful!

[@amolhappyshamolforever9026]

so beautiful tutorial.

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@elizabethswan2040]

Fantastic Melly, thank you.

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@BLW_Studios]

Thank you so much for the stretching tip! :D hugs!

[@Mellysews]

+Gabriel Toledo Glad to help!

[@alohablossom5023]

Love the Singer Rocketeers ❤

[@Mellysews]

Me too!

[@BAZAARGRL]

very clear explanation .... Thank you!

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@VeganDoris]

I did it! I wish I could post a photo here. It’s not perfect. It’s a little lumpy, but it’s not terrible, LOL! Thank you!😊

[@Mellysews]

And the more times you sew one, the better you'll get!

[@orsolabarberis4271]

Thank you for sharing!!

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@clothingalterations]

Great tutorial

[@Mellysews]

Thank you!

[@sewaldodiy]

Very helpful! :)

[@Mellysews]

"prettycraftygirl" Thanks!

[@leslieharris9691]

This was very helpful Thank you, wish I could see the pinning of the band to the shirt more on close up, but I will watch again. Thanks again!

[@Mellysews]

You might find the still photos in the post linked in the video description helpful for that.

[@tiffanycobb1886]

love the way you sew so neat

[@Mellysews]

+Tiffany Cobb Thanks!

[@donnawho109876hendri]

Thank you !!! Perfect!

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching :)

[@dianaruredzo6780]

Thank you melly

[@Mellysews]

You're welcome

[@lisw1354]

Thank you! i am making a dress off a patern but the neckline was just wrong for my body type. after this video i am able to alter my dress!

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@loisbrown8222]

Thank you for your instructions for attaching the ribbing already sewn. I was wondering how you determine how long to make the ribbing?

[@Mellysews]

If your pattern doesn't specify, I mention neckband length in the video in this post mellysews.com/sew-knit-neckband-finish-knit-necklines-sew-knit-binding/

[@anthonyalvarez5962]

how do I do the neck band. what type of fabric? or where can i find it?

[@Mellysews]

Anthony Alvarez The neckband is rib knit. It's available at most fabric stores that carry knit fabric.

[@yummyoasis]

Hi, Melly, could you please tell me the name of the fabric used for the neckline.

[@Mellysews]

It's rib knit.

[@cbsugar]

super bien ! merci beaucoup !

[@Mellysews]

candy becker Glad to help!

[@foggylog19]

Is the rule for size of neck band the same for v neck vs rounded neck lines?

[@Mellysews]

Generally yes

[@bloodramen]

thank you!

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@warkryk]

So you don't necessarily need a curve shape V-neck pattern for the neck, very nice tutorial, am going to try it and see the results. How do you get the long measurements for the neck band ?

[@sarahthree-horn1685]

typically the length of a neckband is 85% of the length of the neck opening. So measure your opening (minus seam allowances) and then do a little math. Round up to the nearest 8th or 16th of an inch.

[@AlexSwavely]

Love the look of those Singer machines, what model(s) are they?

[@Mellysews]

503b

[@AlexSwavely]

Thanks, I'll definitely be on the lookout, Deco is my vibe. (Plus it can do double-needle, which my side-bobbin can't)

[@misismaldita8385]

amazing

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@HyperSleepyFox]

awesome ! ! !

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching.

[@rlcreationstt8119]

what is the length of the neck band

[@Mellysews]

+Rl creationstt It depends on the shirt you are sewing; I usually do 90% of the neckline for my neckbands.

[@karenjackson6813]

This is a great tutorial. So I made a stretchy knit top a few years ago and never put the neckband on. I am not sure which pattern I used, so I have to make my own neckband. How much smaller than the neckline should the neckband be? I know it should be a little smaller but not sure by how much?

[@Mellysews]

More about neckbands, including rule of thumb for measuring, here: mellysews.com/sew-knit-neckband-finish-knit-necklines-sew-knit-binding/

[@karenjackson6813]

Thank you! That was exactly what I needed. So generous of you to share this knowledge! ❤

[@maryharmon3876]

How long do you cut your neckband? I usually do 85-90% for a crew beck depending on how stretchy the fabric is. If you don’t have a pattern piece, how do you determine length?

[@Mellysews]

Generally the same, but I plan for it not to stretch on the V part so only do 85-90 on the rest of the neckband.

[@raquelseydewitz203]

Thanks!

[@Mellysews]

No problem!

[@diannaa6189]

Nice work

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching!

[@LisaJF]

Yesterday I sewed my first ever project, which was a knit v neck shirt. I probably spent 2 hours on that dumb neckband, pinning, repinning, rereading the instructions....etc and it didn't come out well. I'm going to try your technique next time!

[@Mellysews]

V necks can be tricky - the more you practice, the better they get, though.

[@lahdiriabdelaziz2690]

thank you

[@Mellysews]

+lahdiri abdelaziz Thanks for watching!

[@catplaytime1044]

Thank You for a very clear tutorial. I have a question - if I don't use a pattern - how much shorter should the neckband be than the neckline?

[@Mellysews]

It depends on the shape of the neckline and how stretch the necband is. 80-90% of the neckline is a good starting place.

[@catplaytime1044]

@@Mellysews Thank for answering so quicly! That is about what I use. I guess with more experience I will learn to adapt the length do different stretches. Love your channel - keep on going! Greetings from Israel🌻

[@katiegreen7082]

How did you know how long to make the neck band?

[@Mellysews]

More on neckband lengths in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3PEeGCcaZyBh7M

[@lukevalentine8894]

is there a way to sew it withut having the overlap?

[@Mellysews]

yes, like this mellysews.com/sew-v-neck-womens-t-shirt-free-pattern/

[@lukevalentine8894]

@@Mellysews Yoooo thank you! my girl! hahahahaha

[@annikagronowitz7699]

Hi Melly, Thank you so very much for your tutorial. It really helped me. I do have some questions though. If I want a deeper v lets say 14 cm (not 11), how long should my neckband be! I am using a stretch needle and a zigzag and the singer 9960 is supposed to automatically set the thread tension,but it puckers and does not lay flat!!! Please advice. Thanks so very much, Annika from Israel.

[@Mellysews]

Annika Gronowitz I'd measure your neckline on the pattern then multiply by about .9 to get your neckband length. Tips for sewing knits here: mellysews.com/2012/10/tips-for-sewing-with-knits.html

[@gtpmax]

Music was a bit distracting but I really appreciated all the good information in this tutorial.

[@Mellysews]

Music is covering up distracting neighbor dog barking :) Thanks for watching!

[@kayBTR]

Melly Sews I'm so excited to find your channel! So many people just do their sewing projects that have no training. I'm with gtpmax about the music. I wouldn't mind a dog barking. Another video got so many positive comments about not having music competing with her voice.

[@sirneilloverman8300]

Thank you Madam

[@Mellysews]

Thanks for watching

[@Becizzle]

nice vintage sewing machine!

[@Mellysews]

Thanks!

[@tasenaswellnessbeauty972]

I pray you see this comment! Is that a Rocketeer? I have one! I love it. I have a question. I can’t get it to wind the bobbin without the needle going up and down. I have tried to no avail to loosen the wheel so that doesn’t happen. Help!

[@Mellysews]

Lubricant on the wheel and brute force (possibly with rubber strap wrenches) are my only suggestions. And a good cleaning if you ever get it loose.

[@tasenaswellnessbeauty972]

Melly Sews, thanks!

[@clairegoodwin5453]

I'm having a hard time following how you finish pinning the rest of the neck line, after you flip everything around. Can you please help? Thank you.

[@Mellysews]

Try looking at the close up pictures in the post: mellysews.com/2014/05/sew-v-neck-t-shirt.html

[@vankov_yurk2602]

can u make video,how to make basketball jersey?

[@Mellysews]

+Ivan Suko no one in my house plays basketball, so it probably won't make it onto my list of projects.

[@tetetoons2371]

did any body else she switched the machine and the old one is in the back ground

[@Mellysews]

+Eson Audinett Nope, no switch. I have two of those machines, one portable one (the one on the table) and one in a cabinet (in the background).

[@fetallica1]

you are cute, thank you so much :)

[@Mellysews]

+fetallica1 Glad you liked it; thanks for watching!