Frankie T-Shirt Pattern Hack

For this project you’ll need:

The pattern templates downloaded from here.
A copy of issue 50 of Love Sewing which is still available here.

V NECKLINE DETAIL
Use the appliqué technique shown in the magazine to add a sportswear-style V detail to the
front neckline of your Frankie T-shirt.
This project works best on good quality medium-weight cotton jersey – anything too
lightweight can get chewed up under the stitching. Experiment with contrast colours or
textures – or if you’re making the T-shirt in horizontal stripes, cut the triangle so the stripes
run vertically.
You’ll also need some double-sided iron-on transfer adhesive, such as Bondaweb, to
stabilize the triangle and hold it in place before stitching it.
Remember! It’s easiest to attach the V before sewing any of the T-shirt pieces together.

1. Cut out a small square of fabric about 15x15cm (6×6″), and cut the adhesive to the same
shape. Follow the appliqué instructions to fuse the adhesive to the fabric. Use the Frankie V
pattern piece (included on the pattern sheets) to cut the fused fabric into a small triangle,
and snip the notch.
2. Fold the front bodice in half lengthways and snip a small notch at the neckline on the
centre fold, before unfolding it. Peel the backing paper off the triangle, then carefully
position the adhesive side of the triangle against the right side of the bodice, aligning the
necklines and notches. Hold a hot, dry iron on top for a few seconds to fuse it in place.
3. Set your sewing machine to a short and wide zigzag stitch – 1mm long by 4–5mm wide.
Stitch down one side of the triangle, from the neckline to the bottom point – position the
project so most of the zigzag is falling on the triangle, with one side of the zigzag
overlapping the edge just a teeny bit to catch the garment fabric. It’s worth practising this
on a scrap of fabric first!
4. Repeat on the other side of the triangle, leaving the neckline unstitched.
5. Continue sewing the rest of the T-shirt following the instructions in the magazine.
SHORT TURN-UP SLEEVES
Turn the baseball T-shirt into a cute short-sleeve summer top with turn-up cuffs. When
choosing the fabric, bear in mind that the wrong side will show on the turn-up hems. You’ll
need 0.35m (3⁄8yd) of fabric for these sleeves, as well as the bodice and neckband fabric.

6. Cut the sleeves using the cap sleeve hemline, marked on the sleeve pattern. Cut the rest
of the pieces as normal. Sew the top following the instructions but don’t hem the sleeves
yet.
7. Turn the raw edge of each sleeve hem up 1.5cm (5⁄8”) to the outside of the top. Press.
Turn the folds up another 1.5cm (5⁄8″), press again and pin them in place. Secure the turn-
ups in place with hand or machine stitches at four points around the sleeve.
8. Your cute new T-shirt is done!