Ok. So measure your neckhole and cut the neckband 3/4 of that measurement (ribbing, you'll cut closer to 1/2 the measurement of the neckhole--but I avoid ribbing like the plague. wugh). On this shirt, the neck hole is 20 and the neckband is 15. I cut the neckbands of my shirts 1 1/2 inches. Fold in half and iron. Open neckband back up and serge the ends, right sides together.

Fold neckband back, wrong sides together. Use a pin to mark quarters both on neckhole and neckband. Line 'em up and pin

Serge.

flip to the right side.

Hold the seam down, and stitch just below the neckband.

PS Reason #165 I love this old machine--it uses two regular needles to double needle. I never have any breakage issues at all.

and that, my fine young friends, is really all there is to it.

Thanks so much for the photos! I think I will try to tackle it soon. I am wondering why you stitch it just below the neckline (step6) and then stitch with the double needles. What is the purpose of step 6 I'm wondering? I've never tried the twin needle thing, though... sounds a little scary. We'll see. Thanks again!

If you don't own a serger what stitch would you suggest using on a regular machine instead?

Thank you btw- I've been wanting to make the baby some shirts and the whole neck thing scared the behoozle outta me!! LOL

I have a question, too. :) When you stitch under the hem with the twin needles, do you use a straight stitch or some sort of stretch stitch? How do you keep the stitching from breaking when you stretch the neck to get it over your head?

Wondering aloud to myself... I wonder if a serger coverhem stitch would work to attach AND add the decorative double stitching???

(When I've made tshirts in the past, I haven't done the twin needle part. Just stopped after serging.)

Originally posted by motherofone
Thanks so much for the photos! I think I will try to tackle it soon. I am wondering why you stitch it just below the neckline (step6) and then stitch with the double needles. What is the purpose of step 6 I'm wondering? I've never tried the twin needle thing, though... sounds a little scary. We'll see. Thanks again!

You serge and then stitch with a double needle, or a single needle using a stretch stitch. It's to catch the serged seam and make it lay flat. Otherwise, your neckline will be all wonky.

Originally posted by MomOfHeathens
If you don't own a serger what stitch would you suggest using on a regular machine instead?

Thank you btw- I've been wanting to make the baby some shirts and the whole neck thing scared the behoozle outta me!! LOL

Jo, I've done it on my mom's machine using her overlock stitch, with no problems at all. (__/__/__/__/) You could also probably use a stretch stitch, zigzag right beneath it, and then trim.

Originally posted by Sharon
I have a question, too. :) When you stitch under the hem with the twin needles, do you use a straight stitch or some sort of stretch stitch? How do you keep the stitching from breaking when you stretch the neck to get it over your head?

Wondering aloud to myself... I wonder if a serger coverhem stitch would work to attach AND add the decorative double stitching???

(When I've made tshirts in the past, I haven't done the twin needle part. Just stopped after serging.)

Sharon, when you double needle, the bobbin thread is a zig-zag and that gives it enough stretch to give a bit. I've never had any problems popping stitches. If you do a single needle, I'd definately use a stretch stitch.

I like the way stitching the seam down makes the neckband lay :)

Hey, we have the same wedding band!

Originally posted by Sharon
Wondering aloud to myself... I wonder if a serger coverhem stitch would work to attach AND add the decorative double stitching???

(

No. But this is how most RTW gets that final touch in there. The neckline is serged on, then the coverhem is added. Most of the time its done with one needle in the main part of the garment and the other needle either in the ditch or on the neck part.

Heather

lol!! how funny :) I don't wear jewelery, but I love my wedding band.

Confession time. I never knew you were supposed to stitch it down after serging it on. :eek: I don't think thy mention it in th eKS instructions. But I almost always use ribbing, so maybe that helps. The necklines seem fine to me, but you're right that that added touch makes it look more RTW. That looks REALLY nice! :)

how did I miss this?

Thanks so much! That's just what I was looking for (1 1/2" x 3/4" of the neckhole).

Yesterday I did another tshirt but coverhemmed it at the end and it worked out nicely. But the ribbing was still way too wide.....

What kinda machine you got mama? Looks like the Singer that I have. :)

Lorraine, she's a Singer, yup. Something like 54 years old. They just don't make 'em like that nowadays. :)

Originally posted by StarBelly
lol!! how funny :) I don't wear jewelery, but I love my wedding band.

ROFL! Mine's almost identical, too...

Cami..... one more question

when you use a typical pattern that calls for ribbing, do you make the neck hole smaller?

Nope. I would cut the ribbing shorter, but the neckhole stays the same :-)

The last issue of Threads has a good article on ways to make knit clothing look RTW. Has some good tips, including necklines. I actually learned one technique that looks like a really time saver. I'm going to try it as soon as I finish these d*mn orders.

Mind if I add a few comments?

When I join the band together I use a straight stitch instead of the serger, this gives less bulk than a serged seam. Then I finger press it open and baste it in place with the largest zigzag (Rohan wants his name typed -- Rohan. Then I fold it in half and continue the same way. If I get a wavy neckline like that (and there are some things you can do to prevent that) I steam the heck out of it with an iron to flatten it. Then I take my zig zag basting out. It gives a much nicer seam at the back of the neck, especially after a couple of washes.

To prevent the wavies... increase your stitch length (mine is usually about 3.5 for topstitching knits). Decrease your presser foot pressure if your machine allows it (this makes a big difference). Also place your thumb in front of the presser foot and your index finger behind and squeeze them together as you sew. If you are still having problems and it is a special project you can also try putting a narrow band of fusible interfacing for knits onto the shirt before sewing the neckband on.

Can we move this to FAQ? I wonder about this all the time.