Keep shirts form-fitting so they move with your body.
Now that you've trained all this time for the marathon, it's time to start thinking about what you're going on where on the big race day. Whether you are participating in the marathon as a sponsor, for an organization or just for your own personal fitness goals, you want your clothing gear to stand out and be comfortable while you are running. Base the design of your shirt on the weather you will be running in. If the marathon is in the winter or during a cold spell, a long sleeved shirt is more appropriate than a tank top.
Instructions
1. Select an appropriate shirt pattern for the marathon shirt. You can choose from tank tops, T-shirts or long sleeved shirts. These are not standard shirts, however. Find patterns that are for fitness wear and that are tight, as opposed to baggy. A baggy shirt will act as resistance and cause drag as you race in the marathon.
2. Trace the pattern onto the fabric you select, using a fabric pen. Choose a shirt fabric for the marathon that is lightweight, water or sweat resistant and breathable, such as polyester or poly-cotton blends. A basic cotton T-shirt can cause chaffing during your run.
3. Cut out the traced pattern on the fabric using fabric shears. Pin together the various pieces of the shirt with sewing pins. Create a hem by turning the raw edges of the fabric under and pinning them in place. If you turn the edge under twice, you have created a double turn back hem, which is a common stitch.
4. Set up the sewing machine with corresponding thread and a 1/8-inch seam allowance. Sew the shirt together, piece by piece, following the directions of the pattern. Remove the sewing pins as you come to them, and do not attempt to sew over the pins.
5. Select an iron-on decal for the shirt. Find an image or create a phrase that stands out in the crowd. This will help your supporters identify you in the masses, and get the crowd excited as you run past them.
6. Place the sewed shirt right side up on the ironing board. Heat an iron and iron on the decal to the front, back or both sides of the shirt.
7. Draw additional designs or write more words onto the shirt with fabric pens.
Tags: long sleeved, sewing pins, shirt with, using fabric