Sewn t-shirt samples from the Learn to Sew Knits + T-Shirts class by Closet Core Patterns in swirl print, cream rib, olive and white.

A complete foundation in sewing knits, no serger required!

Sewing Classes

Learn to Sew Knits + T-Shirts | Online Sewing Class

Name: Learn to Sew Knits + T-Shirts | Online Sewing Class
Brand: Closet Core Patterns
SKU: CLASS-KNITS-1
Price: 69.0 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.0 (17 reviews)

$69.00 USD

Learn to Sew Knits + T-Shirts | Online Sewing Class

$69.00 USD

Knits aren't harder to sew. They're just different — and we're going to teach you why.
This class teaches you the insider fabric knowledge, precise techniques, and sewing machine setup that makes sewing knits a breeze, no serger required.

This class starts with the fundamentals: how knit fabric is actually constructed (and why knits behave differently from wovens, and from each other), how to set up your machine for success, and exactly which technquies to reach for and when. Then we'll sew a complete t-shirt together from start to finish, and you'll learn how to choose the right stitch for the right fabric, and how to nail three neckline finishes: a bound crew, a banded scoop, and a V-neck band, for flawless results every time. You'll walk away with t-shirts you'll want to wear every day, and skills you can apply to future projects.

Best of all? You don't need a serger! Every technique in this class works on a regular sewing machine, and we’ll show you where a serger genuinely helps if you already have one.

With over a decade of teaching sewing to thousands of students online and in sold-out workshops across North America and Europe, Heather Lou has watched exactly where knit sewing goes wrong for home sewists and built this class to save you time and frustration. You'll get her fail-safe methods delivered with the same humor and grounded practicality that runs through all of our classes.

Our teaching philosophy is simple: test before you sew, and focus on progress over perfection. You'll finish this class with a t-shirt you're proud to wear, and the skills and know-how to approach future knit projects with enthusiasm and confidence.

PATTERN INCLUDED

Enrollment includes the Amelie T-Shirt pattern

UNIVERSAL SKILLS

Every technique works on a regular machine

MAKE IT YOUR OWN

Bound crew, banded scoop, or V-neck, and 3 sleeve options

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

How to Understand Knit Fabric

You'll learn how to scope a knit before you buy it, including:

How the four fabric factors - structure, fibre, stretch, and weight - combine to determine how a knit will behave, drape, and sew
The difference between single knits, double knits, and ribbing, and what each is actually good for
How to test stretch percentage and find the Direction of Greatest Stretch (who let the DOGS out)
The needle, thread, and presser foot setup for best results
What types of knits are the easiest to work with
What causes pilling, and how to spot a knit that will hold up over time

SEW KNITS LIKE A PRO — SERGER OPTIONAL

Master the Stitches That Actually Work

You'll learn how to set up your machine and choose the right stitch for every job, including:

How to match a stitch to the task, from seams and hems to topstitching
Zigzag, lightning stitch, and twin needle settings for a domestic machine, and when to use each one
How to feed knit fabric evenly so it doesn't pucker, tunnel, or wave
Serger fundamentals for pro results
Why testing and troubleshooting is the single most important skill you can learn

BRING IT ALL TOGETHER

Construct & Finish Your Amelie T-Shirt

Following along step-by-step, you'll construct a complete t-shirt from start to finish, including:

How to stabilize tricky fabrics
Sewing shoulder seams so they don't stretch out over time
Three complete neckline finishes: a bound crew neck, a banded scoop neck, and a V-neck band
How to cut and sew a knit neckband that lies flat instead of gaping or puckering
A clean, enclosed back-neck finish for a high-end result
Tricks for seaming and setting in sleeves
Hemming a knit without stretching, tunneling, or wavy edges

Preview the Class

Lifetime access ~ Watch anytime ~ Revisit techniques forever

Amelie T-Shirt (XXS-6X)

Designed to Help You Succeed:

Supportive community

24/7 unlimited access

closed captions

transferrable skills

help from our team

Class Curriculum

Section One — Knit Basics
Intro (4 min) - Welcome to the class and an overview of what you'll learn
Lesson 1: Understanding Knit Fabrics (66 min) - Weave structure, fibre composition, stretch, weight, and how to choose the right knit for your project
Lesson 2: Machine + Supplies (33 min) - Needles, thread, presser feet, stabilizers, and what a serger/coverstitch adds if you have one
Lesson 3: Sewing Knits with a Domestic Machine (39 min) - Stitch selection, tension, and feeding technique for professional results without a serger
Lesson 4: Sewing Knits on a Serger + Coverstitch (21 min) - Differential feed, seam allowances, and attaching clear elastic
Lesson 5: Prepping & Cutting (32 min) - Prewashing, pressing, grain, and cutting with the direction of greatest stretch
Section Two — Sewing the Amelie T-Shirt
Intro: Project Overview & View Selection (19 min) - Choosing your view, fabric, and size for the fit you want
Lesson 1: Shoulder Seams (14 min) - Stabilizing and sewing shoulders that hold their shape
Lesson 2: Bound Neckline (Crew Neck) (32 min) - View A construction, start to finish
Lesson 3: Band Neckline (Scoop Neck) (24 min) - View B, including the ratio system for a flat, professional band
Lesson 4: V-Neckline Band (23 min) - View C, shaping and sewing a clean V point
Lesson 5: Finishing the Back Neck (18 min) - A ready-to-wear enclosed finish for all views
Lesson 6: Sleeves, Side Seams (18 min) - Setting in sleeves and sewing continuous side seams
Lesson 7: Hem Finishes (21 min) - Even, professional hems without stretching or tunneling

Total course length: 6 hours, 5 minutes

Meet Your Instructor

Heather Lou is the force behind Closet Core Patterns and Core Fabrics. As a pattern designer and sewing educator, she has been writing and teaching about sewing for over a decade, and has taught thousands of people to sew, both online and in sold-out sewing workshops across North America & Europe. Her work has been featured in Threads, Sew News, Seamwork, Love Sewing and Sewing World magazine.

With her contagiously positive attitude, Heather’s teaching style is fun, approachable, and filled with helpful tips and techniques to help you transform the outfits in your imagination into a self-made wardrobe you love — not one you’re limited to buying off the rack.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm ready to finally get knits right! How do I get started?

Click enroll and you'll be automatically enrolled after checkout. Your login link will be sent by email - check your spam folder if you don't see it in your inbox. Our classes are hosted on a platform called Mighty Networks; you'll need to create a profile there to access your class.

When does this class start and finish?

The class includes on-demand video lessons you can watch anytime, at your own pace. You’ll have lifetime access so you can revisit techniques whenever you need them.

Do I need a serger to take this class?

No. Every technique is taught on a regular sewing machine first. Very basic serger instructions are included as a bonus lesson for anyone who has one or is considering adding one.

If you're new to using a serger, we recommend pairing this class with our Serger + Coverstitch Basics class, which will teach you everything you need to actually use it.

What fabric do I need for this class?

A light to mid-weight knit with at least 30% crosswise stretch. The class teaches you how to evaluate any knit before you buy it, so you're not stuck guessing. Our top picks for knit beginners are 100% cotton jersey, or a cotton spandex blend.

What supplies do I need to get started?

A complete supply list is included in the class. At minimum, you'll need a sewing machine capable of a zigzag stitch, needles designed for knit fabrics, and high-quality thread. We also recommend a walking foot for your domestic machine.

A serger and coverstitch machine are optional, not required.

Can I choose which neckline and sleeve length to sew?

Yes - the Amelie pattern includes three neckline finishes (bound crew, banded scoop, V-neck) and three sleeve lengths (cap, short, long), and the class walks through all of them so you can pick what suits you, or make more than one.

How long does the class take to complete?

It’s completely up to you. The full class includes just over 8 hours of video across 12 lessons, but you don’t need to watch every lesson start to finish. You’re welcome to dip in and out, focusing on the techniques and sections that are most useful to you.

Binge-watch in a weekend, take it slowly over time, or return to specific lessons whenever you need them — there’s no time limit and you can revisit the class as often as you like.

How do I get my pattern? Is it PDF only?

The Amelie T-Shirt pattern is available in PDF format only. It's downloadable immediately after checkout; the file is also saved to your customer account for future downloads.

We offer PDF patterns in the following formats: print-at-home, copy shop, and projector files. Our print-at-home letter/A4 files are "no trim" making them fast and easy to assemble!

Can I use this class with any t-shirt pattern — not just Closet Core?

Absolutely. While your enrollment includes our Amelie tee, all of the techniques you learn apply to any t-shirt pattern you choose — including patterns from other designers.

How long can I access the class?

All day, every day — but yes, for real, this class includes lifetime access. Once you enroll, the class is yours to revisit as often as you like, on any device, with no expiration.

Excellent for novice as well as experienced knit sewists!

Like others who have posted, I am experienced with knits, but I still learned SO much from this course. Heather's scholarly yet down-to-earth and friendly teaching style is golden. It was especially helpful to learn about all the different types of knits and be reminded to slow down, find the grain, use a rotary cutter, and most importantly, test the stitch for a professional-looking result. The chart on figuring out neckband/binding length for the stretch of the fabric you are working with is priceless (and really works!).
The class uses the Amelie t-shirt pattern, which is excellent, but you can apply the content to any pattern calling for knit fabrics.
I feel this class would work just as well for a novice sewist, and Heather demonstrates on a regular sewing machine as well as a serger to accommodate everyone. Finally, it is just fun to watch!

Learn to Sew Knits + T-Shirts | Online Sewing Class

Amelie t-shirt class

Sorry to take so long getting this in. I loved this class. I thought Heather was an amazing teacher and I ended up with a garment I’m really pleased with. The preparation/lessons leading up to cutting and sewing were well explained and demonstrated. I’ve held off sewing with knits but now have the confidence to experiment with more. Firsts for me were…getting the proper stitch length on my serger (not something I’ve played around with…looper tension I’m good with). Also feeding the 1/4 clear elastic through the slot in my serger presser foot…yay…success. I was using a cotton jersey with about 2% spandex and sized up one…also straightened the side seam for a bit more room. I also made 3/4 length sleeves by folding up on the lengthen/shorten line and redrafting the seam. I’m a big fan of “Steam a seam lite” and used this to “pin” the shoulder seams before serging as well as folding up the sleeve and bottom hems in place before hemming with my coverstitch. The neckband also went in really well (also topstitched with a narrow coverstitch). I really want to find a cute cotton jersey to make a few sleepshirts with this pattern…probably sizing up 2 for more roominess. So many options that I’m looking forward to.
I’ll end this by saying I also recently made the Fowler jacket which I’m really pleased with and pairing it with my new t-shirt is a perfect combination for the lovely Fall weather we’ve been having on the west coast.
So thanks for offering this really helpful class…well done. Ellen K

Excellent for the novice as well as the experienced sewist!

This class is easy to navigate with no wasted time -- the content is in Heather's signature scholarly, yet down-to-earth and totally helpful style. I am experienced with knits and yet learned so much, especially the reminder to take time to match your knit fabric to the pattern and test-sew seams, adjusting your machine, be it a regular sewing machine, a serger, a coverstitch, or all three for each project.
The information on bound necklines and neckline bindings is priceless, especially how to determine the correct measurement related to your fabric's stretch percentage for a beautiful, professional result.
I appreciate the time and care placed into this class to precisely demonstrate each concept or technique on both a regular sewing machine and a serger (overlocker), the use of scissors vs. rotary cutters, types of thread, and various stitches.
The Amellie tee pattern is as advertised: beautiful fit, perfectly drafted.
While it's fun to sew more complex, unique one-of-a-kind garments, it is also lovely to sew elevated basics that you actually wear every day. Obviously, I highly recommend this course, and I think it will inspire you to use these techniques on all knit garments far beyond your basic T-shirt!

Such a fantastic class!

The level of knowledge, preparation and information was outstanding. I am so inspired by that class. Thank you so much.

I love Heather’s courses!

Heather is a wonderful educator who makes learning fun and relatable. Her courses are thoughtful and detail oriented. I learn a lot by watching the recorded courses them as references to go back to. I love Heather’s teaching style and feel more confident and encouraged to try new things. I am so appreciative of her work and that she makes these courses so affordable! THESE COURSES ARE GOLD!

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