The Game Day Jersey is the perfect pattern to make your own “team” jerseys, but this pattern is so much more!! I honestly didn’t think I needed this pattern. Last year when I became a Love Notions Ambassador, each ambassador sewed one up to show we were all a part of the Love Notions team. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I actually enjoyed wearing this!
Some day I will find just the right fabric to make a “real” team jersey (Go Bruins!), but in the meantime I will be making a few more non-team versions for my closet. Keep reading to see how easy it is to create a “non-jersey” top with this versatile pattern!
There is a whole family of Game Day Jerseys available: Women’s, Men’s and Kids. Today, Friday April 15 they are all on sale for $5 each as the Love Notions Feature Friday patterns!
Details
The Game Day Jersey is a slightly oversized top designed to replicate the “team” jerseys that can be found in ready-to-wear. Grab the pattern for great and easy color blocking~ or not. Make your own version of your team’s jersey~ or not! The possibilities are endless!
- Shirt and Dress lengths (not men’s)
- Short and 3/4 length sleeves
- Split hem (great for those of us that are “pear” shaped)
- Optional sleeve stripes
- 2 Neckline options: Lapped V-neck and Crew neck
Do you love V-necks, but struggle sewing them??? Then THIS is the pattern for you! The lapped V-neck is such an easy element to sew- and it looks great! That is my favorite version of the Game Day!
The Game Day Jersey is designed for a confident beginner. If you’re an absolute beginner, I would still give it a try, just maybe omit the sleeve stripes and make the lapped V-neck.
Sizing & Alterations
The Women’s Game Day Jersey is available in sizes XS-5X with a Full Bust Option.
The Men’s Game Day Jersey is available in sizes XS- 4X.
The Unisex Kids Game Day Jersey is available in sizes 2T-16.
When choosing your size for a top, you should always be using your high bust measurement. My high bust is 40″ and full bust is 44″. So I used the XL with the Full Bust Option for my newest version. (Remember using the FBA piece adds 2″ to the finished waist and hip measurements.) If you are in-between sizes you should be sizing down for the Game Day Jersey.
Notice that the version above (the all pink) fits me more like a team jersey. I realize that all of us don’t enjoy wearing things as oversized as this. If this is the case, I know plenty of sewists have sized down on this pattern for a closer fitting top. Be sure you check the finished measurement chart if doing this.
Here is an example of the Game Day Jersey sized down. This color blocked version was the one I made last year. This is a Large with the Full Bust Adjustment. I am bigger than I was a year ago, and although I do not measure into the size Large right now~ you can see this still fits, just has a much closer fit to it.
Some of the ladies who are smaller in size have even used the Kids version, since it goes up to a size 16. The finished bust of the Kids 16 is 36.5″. This might be a good option for some of our smaller ladies.
This is sized down one size, with a little hack on the back that adds a bit more fullness.
In honor of the Game Day Jersey being the Feature Friday pattern this week, I decided to sew up one more version~ and of course I had to do just a little hack! This periwinkle floral rib knit top just became a favorite! As stated above, I wasn’t thrilled with the oversized jersey look on me. This new version is a size L (Full bust) graded to an XL at the hip. (A size down according to my measurements.). To add just a touch of fullness to the back, without adding any additional room in the neck and shoulder area, I added a few gathers to the lower back piece. I find when getting things to fit me AND look nice, I need to get a good fit at the shoulders and neck area. By using the smaller size, I achieved that good fit~ and my little hack gave me just enough extra room in the back to make it comfortable.
For this version, I added a few gathers to the back of the top. It is super simple to do, and added just a tad of fullness to the back. I’m thrilled with how it turned out and already have more planned just like this! It’s a great stash buster!
- When laying out your back piece, place the pattern piece about 1 1/4″ to 2″ away from the fold rather than on the fold. See photo below.
- Stitch a gathering stitch across the top of the back piece, then pin it to the back yoke to fit. I made sure that my gathers were more concentrated towards the center.
- Press the seam up towards the yoke and topstitch.
Fabrics
The Game Day Jerseys are designed for knit fabrics. Light to medium weight knits like jersey, rayon spandex, modal jersey, double brushed poly, cotton lycra and even French Terry will all work.
Stable knits like cotton lycra will give a much boxier look~ and you may want to size down. Rayons will give a much drapier look. The fabric choice can really change the look of this jersey. My suggestion is to search the Facebook group for “Game Day Jersey”, this way you can see lots of jerseys sewn in many different fabric bases. This is something that even I do when making a new to me pattern.
I am typically not a fan of Cotton Lycra for myself (I love it for kids clothes!). I gave the pinky/peach cotton jersey a try because it was a tad lighter in weight than most I come across. I’ll be honest, I’m still not a fan of Cotton Lycra for myself.
I was looking forward to making another Game Day in a rib knit or something with a bit more drape~ and boy am I glad I did at the last minute! The periwinkle floral rib knit version is awesome and just what I needed in my closet!
The colorblocked version I made last year is a Cupro knit. I like this version, even though it is much more fitted on me this year. (Cupro is a type of rayon fabric made from cotton cellulose fibers.) Mine has a sandwashed or sueded finish and has a nice drape to it. Sorry~ I’ve had this in my stash for a long time!
Have fun with color blocking or all one color, the possibilities are endless! And as you can see this jersey even looks great in a floral fabric~ you’d never know it was a “game” day jersey.
Stripes or no stripes~ the choice is yours! The stripes can be made from knit fabric or bias tape. You can use prepackaged bias tape or make your own. I made a bunch of bias tape from leftover Liberty Of London fabric that I’ve had forever. I actually used it on both versions I made, a year apart!
Great Scrapbuster!!! I sew a lot for my little great nephew and I always hold on to all my fabric scraps. I’m grabbing this pattern this week to sew up a few shirts for him for spring and summer.
Tips for Game Day Sewing
- When cutting out the neckbands(either version) take note that there are 2 cutting lines. Choose the correct one for your fabric. Using the wrong line could cause your neckband to either sag or be too small and pucker. If you are unsure, I would start with the longer band and baste to your yoke piece first. You can always make the neckband smaller.
Tips for Sewing Sleeve Stripes
- The stripes do NOT need to be knit fabric. (Mine are not). For beginners, I would suggest using prepackaged bias tape. This is more stable and easier to work with.
- If using knit fabric for your stripes, I would cut the stripes 1″ wide, then press 1/4″ to the inside on both long edges. Many knits will roll, making them very hard to stitch down. Press them really well with steam. If needed, use BEST PRESS or starch to keep the edges flat.
- Use a washable glue stick to hold the stripes in place as you sew.
- When sewing on the stripes, stitch from the same direction on the top of the stripe and the bottom of the stripe. This helps to reduce wrinkles. See photo below.
- If you are a tad more adventurous you can make your own bias tape. I love making bias tape. Once you’ve done it~ it gets easier, I promise! The Love Notions Blog has a great link for making your own bias tape. Click HERE to see it.
Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog! Remember to follow me over on Instagram @sewmarymac to see all of my latest makes!
Mary Anne 🙂
Purchase the Game Day Jersey Patterns at the links below.
These are affiliate links. It costs you nothing to purchase from these links, it just helps fund my fabric addiction which allows me to test and review more patterns.
To receive an additional 10% off the pattern price, use this coupon code MARYMAC10. This coupon code can be used at anytime on any pattern….even a $5 Feature Friday pattern. It never expires!!
I am currently a Love Notions Patterns Ambassador. I was received this pattern as part of the ambassador program. As always all opinions are my own.
Fabric Resources
Raspberry Creek Fabrics has THE best selection of Rib knit prints. There is something for everyone!
Mily Mae Fabrics is also a great place to find solid and printed rib knits.
If you want to give Cupro knit a try, you can find some at the following online shop.
sewmarymac.com 
I love all of what you sew. They are beautiful 💗
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Thank you so much! I get a lot of enjoyment from sewing!
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Thank you for your review. Definitely helped me decide which size(s) I need.
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You’re so welcome! I hope you make one soon and are happy with it!!
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