T-Shirt Makeover

Learn about two different serger stitches that can be used to gather fabric, plus use a gathering stitch to make over a T-shirt with Pam Mahshie. The first stitch is the four thread overlock stitch, which has stretch built into the stitch and creates adjustable gathers.

The second stitch is the chain stitch, also called the serger straight stitch. This stitch is a fixed stitch, meaning it does not have stretch, nor is it adjustable.

Pam uses the four thread overlock stitch to create ruffles for the T-shirt makeover project. Pam demonstrates how to adjust the machine settings so the four thread overlock stitch gathers the fabric when serging.

Pam discusses how to cut three different T-shirts to create two different ruffled panels to attach to the cut edge of the main T-shirt body. Create different color blocked effects by using different T-shirt colors. Use a larger T-shirt for the middle ruffle, and an even larger T-shirt for the lower ruffle, so it will create fuller gathers than the main T-shirt body.

By cutting the lower ruffle from the lower edge of the largest T-shirt, you can maintain the readymade hem. Use the four thread overlock stitch with the appropriate serger settings to gather the cut edge of the lower ruffle.

Gather one edge of the center ruffle, then stitch the ruffled edge to the main T-shirt body cut edge. Stitch the lower panel ruffled edge to the center ruffle raw edge. By using the serger, the fabric is quickly and evenly gathered, and all the seam edges are finished, and you have a cute T-shirt project!

For more serger projects, check out these videos:
Make a Hat from Old T-shirts
Savvy Serger Tips & Techniques
Serger Project: Sewing a Blanket