For Halloween I made matching Halloween shirts for grandpa and grandson (The Gardener and “Cinco”.) The Gardener has been looking for a Halloween Aloha shirt for several years. We found a fabric he liked so I decided I would make him one.
This is not a sewing tutorial. These Halloween shirts were pretty difficult, so I’m just providing the project idea.
If you want to make a similar project, I highly recommend that you choose a print with a random pattern and small repeat so that matching will be at a minimum. The fabric here is so cute with purple, orange, green, and silver glitter, but the repeat is 11 inches vertically with different width stripes.
On the sides of the shirt, you want the stripes to match. Aloha shirts have a chest pocket and you want that pocket to match the pattern also.
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- matching at side seam
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- chest pocket placement
I used McCall’s pattern M6972. I had to buy a Kids and Adult versions (too bad they didn’t come packaged together.) The smallest kids’ size was too big for Cinco (he wears 2T and 3T clothes), so I used parchment paper to make a new smaller pattern. For The Gardener, I used his favorite Aloha shirt from Hawaii to compare the pattern. I had to add length and a little width. (Maybe you are seeing why I am not writing a tutorial on this!). I am not discouraged! Now I have two well-fitting patterns I hope to use again!
The Gardener chose flat two-hole orange buttons for his shirt. I found little pumpkin buttons for Cinco’s shirt. I can’t wait to take pictures of the two of them together wearing their holiday shirts!
Let me know (lisa at casabouquet.com) if you would like to know more about using a pattern to make a pattern that fits!
Resource links for Halloween shirts
- https://www.fabric.com/quilting-fabric-holiday-fabrics-halloween.aspx
- Halloween from fabric.com
- https://www.joann.com/home-decor-and-holiday/holidays-seasons/halloween-decor/halloween-fabric/?icn=Halloween&ici=fabric
- Maker’s Halloween from Jo-Ann’s Fabric and Craft Store
- https://shop.buttons.com/halloween-buttons-s/1868.htm
- Halloween buttons from buttons.com
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I LOVE Halloween! Those are the best shirts ever!
http://www.quirkybohemianmama.com/
Hey Hollie, Thanks so much! My little grandson loves wearing the same shirt as his grandfather. Halloween spirit without masks!
Hi Lisa,
I don’t know how to sew, but I wish I could, so I could create something cool like that. Those shirts are awesome! Great job! Thanks for sharing at TGI Saturdays. Blessings to you.
Thanks for coming by, Latisha! I don’t know if you want to add sewing to your family-care plate, but I can say it is very satisfying to customize for those you love! You can always add buttons and use Liquid Stitch to add trim!
Super cute!! You should consider selling things like this at some of the local festivals.
Thanks, Kathleen! It’s too bad people come in so many sizes! I will have to practice my pattern-making more.
Too cute! Good job, Lisa!
Thanks, Amy! I enjoyed making something that I knew would get worn!