Hey everyone, It’s Holly! You may know that I absolutely love the Jarrah tee and sweater pattern. I have made sooooo many versions. But my most made version is actually a really simple Jarrah hack – a short sleeve tee! Jarrah makes the most perfect slouchy, boxy, drop shoulder tee. And I am obsessed with it. So today I’m going to show you how to make one yourself – two different ways! One with turned under edges, and one with banded edges. So let’s get started, yes?
Version 1 – Basic
This version is the most basic construction using only the existing Jarrah pattern. We will do this by just turning under the hem and armhole edge and stitching. Just note – if using view C or D (straight hem), this version doesn’t include the hem band. So unless you want a cropped tee (which is cute too!), I would extend the length of the front and back pattern by a couple of inches before cutting out your fabric.
This version also works with the curved hem or tie hem, too!
To start, place your front and back pieces together and sew along the shoulder seams and side seams. Finish the raw edges with your preferred method.
Attach the neckband. Refer to the instruction booklet or this post if you need help with this.
Now we need to finish the raw edge of the armholes. We are going to do this by just simply turning under the hem once.
If you are familiar with working with knits, you may know that you don’t necessarily need to finish the raw edge of knits because they don’t fray like wovens. But if you do like clean finishes, you can choose to finish the raw edge with your preferred method. If you use a serger/overlock like above, make sure you just finish the edge, and not cut off any excess fabric.
Whether you finish the edge or not, simply turn under towards the wrong side of the fabric by 1/4″ (6mm) and press.
Use a zig-zag stitch or double needle to sew along the armhole, close to the folded-in edge.
Now do the same with the hem!
You can choose to finish the raw edge or not.
Turn under the hem towards the wrong side of the fabric by 1/4″ (6mm) and press.
Use a zig-zag stitch or double needle to sew along the hem, close to the folded-in edge.
And that’s it! The simplest, basic, perfectly slouchy tee.
Version 2 – Sleeve and hem bands
This version finishes the edge of the armholes and hem with bands. I love this version with stripes so you can play with stripe direction!
Measure the length of the armhole on the Front pattern piece. Let’s call this measurement A.
Also, measure the armhole of the Back pattern piece. This will be B.
Create a rectangular pattern piece where the length is measurement A + B – 1/2″ (1.2cm), and the width is 3 1/2” (8.8cm).
This is your sleeve cuff pattern piece. Cut 2 from your fabric.
Just like with the first version, place your front and back pieces together and sew along the shoulder seams and side seams. Finish the raw edges with your preferred method.
Attach the neckband. Refer to the instruction booklet or this post if you need help with this.
Now let’s work on the armhole bands.
Fold one armhole band in half lengthwise, right sides together. Stitch down the short end 1/4″ (6mm) from the raw edge using a zig-zag stitch or serger.
Press the seam open (or to one side if sewn with a serger).
Now fold your band in half with wrong sides together, so that the raw edges of the seam are enclosed. Press.
Mark where the seam is, as well as exactly halfway around the band.
Place your tee in front of you with the right side of the fabric facing out.
Place your folded band around the armhole of the tee, and right sides together.
Match up the seam of the band with the side seam of the tee.
And match up the other marking on the band with the shoulder seam of the tee.
Line up the raw edges and finish pinning around the entire armhole.
Stitch together 1/4″ (6mm) from the raw edge, and finish the raw edge with your preferred method (if you would like).
Press the seam towards the tee.
Repeat for the other armhole.
For the hem band, you can use the included Hem Band pattern piece, and attach it exactly as directed in the instruction booklet or refer to this post.
Ta-da!
Here you can see the two different versions next to each other.
And here is another version I’ve made. This one has extra-wide armbands, and extra-wide turned under hem using a twin needle (I just extended the pattern length by about 3-4″ (7.5-10cm so I could turn it under more.)
Feel free to mix and match the different finishes! And I would love to see a version made with a curved hem or tie hem. If you make one yourself, please share it with us!
LOOKING FOR MORE JARRAH POSTS?
Here’s the full list of Jarrah posts and tutorials:
- Pattern Tester Round-up
- Mini Jarrah Pattern Tester Round-up
- Inspiration + Ideas
- How to Lengthen the Pattern
- Seams
- Neckband and Funnel Neckline
- Sleeves with Cuffs (A&C)
- Split Sleeve and Curved Hem (B&D)
- Hem Band (A)
- Tie Hem (C)
- Hack Idea: Bishop Sleeve Dress
We absolutely love seeing what you make, so don’t forget to tag your creations with #MNjarrah or #MNminijarrah and @megannielsenpatterns when sharing on social media, and check out what everyone else is up to!
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