Learn to make your own t-shirt pattern, custom-fit to your body’s measurements and to your own fit and style preferences. Embrace the empowering skills of pattern drafting, and see where your pattern journey will take you!
In this three-session live Zoom class, taught by Louisa Owen Sonstroem, you will learn how to take measurements from your own body and from stretchy knit clothing that you already love to wear. You’ll be able to make your own choices regarding fit and style. Then you’ll apply your measurements to paper and draft out pattern pieces for a truly custom t-shirt. If you’d like, you can cut and baste together a test garment, assess the fit, and make some pattern tweaks to ensure that the final garment will be a joy to wear.
This patternmaking course will take place over three sessions. Please note that this class will include instruction on basting together a test garment, but it will NOT include detailed instruction on stitching the final t-shirt. If you’re interested in continuing on and learning how to permanently hand-stitch a t-shirt, please see the Handmade T-Shirt: Hand Sewing Class taking place in May.
Dates
Wednesdays, April 8th, 15th, 22nd, 2026
Time
5:30 – 8 pm ET
Location
Zoom, a link will be sent to participants
the day before class.
Recording
This class will be recorded and the recording will be shared with all participants for one month following the end of the series.
Cost
$150
CLASS MATERIALS
To draft your t-shirt pattern, you will need:
- Large sheets of paper (large pads of newsprint are good, or rolls of medical paper, or the backside of wrapping paper, but you can also tape together printer-size sheets)
- Clear gridded ruler
- Tape measure
- A few yards of yarn or string
- Tape (matte clear tape like Scotch Magic Tape is good, but other types will work as well)
- Sharpened pencil and good eraser
- Paper scissors
- Straight pins
- Carpeted floor, an old towel, large flattened cardboard box, or other soft surface for pricking pins through
- Pattern weights (you can use rocks, dumbbells, soup cans, or other heavy objects)
- A couple of safety pins
- 2 or 3 t-shirts or other stretchy tops or dresses that fit you reasonably well
- Large, flat work surface (a large table or the floor)
- Access to a mirror
- Optional: yardstick, tracing wheel, camera (a phone camera will be perfect)
- If you wish to cut and baste a test fit garment, then you’ll also need: fabric shears, thread, sewing needle, a fabric-marking tool such as a marker or pencil, and 2 yards of knit fabric that is similar in fiber content and stretchiness to what you will use for the final garment.
OUR TEACHER
Louisa Owen Sonstroem considers garment-making skills to be deeply empowering. By day, she works in technical design and patternmaking, most recently for Eileen Fisher and Macy’s. In her spare time, Louisa also writes and teaches about patternmaking and hand stitching clothing. Previous works have included a self-published book called Hand Sewing Clothing: A Guide, as well as two seasons of “Patternmaking in Public Places,” an outreach project she started to democratize access to patternmaking skills. In 2025, Louisa celebrated the release of her newest book, The Handsewn Wardrobe: A Complete Guide to Making Your Own Clothes, from Patternmaking to the Finishing Stitches, in collaboration with Storey Publishing.