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UPF Fabric
There is some UPF rated fabric (ultraviolet protection fabric) available to the home sewer, but not a great selection. In the US, rockywoods.com offers it. I was able to find some recently on-line here in Canada at fabricville.com on sale at buy 1 meter, get 2 free, regular price $15/meter. At my local brick and mortar store, it started at $25/meter. This fabric is rated at 30 UPF, which is considered very good. The best UPF protection is rated at 50 UPF. Now, I don't mind paying for good fabric, but the same store shouldn't have the same fabric for vastly different prices in person vs. on-line. Grrrrrrr. But I digress. The more I researched UPF fabrics, I noticed I kept getting the same description - tightly woven polyester or nylon with little or no stretch. Makes sense, as when a knit fabric stretches, little holes are formed where the sun would penetrate. The fabric I ordered was available at the time in black and a very light grey, the 2 swatches on the left. Look at the light coming through. I have read somewhere that light showing through the fabric is not necessarily an indication of sun protection, but still..... The other swatches taped up to my window are polyester microfiber sheets in dark navy blue, royal blue, very light grey, and light lilac. They are all tightly woven polyester, some heavier than others. I would love to have these swatches lab tested for their UPF rating, but I highly suspect it would be better than the "official" UPF fabric. Microfiber sheets are cheap, especially at a thrift store where I found some good quality sheets from Costco for around $10 for a queen or king sized flat sheet. That's a lot of shirts and pants for very little money. The sheets come in many colors. This has become my fabric of choice for UPF clothing. I had already worked with microfiber sheets to make some vintage style men's shirts. The fabric sews and presses easily and gets tossed in the washer and dryer. It will pick up lint from other items, so wash and dry with similar colors. I keep some pillowcases in the car to throw over my legs on long trips (a little late since I already had a mole removed there that left a nasty scar, so learn from my mistake and cover up).
UPF ratings for fabric
I would love to have the microfiber sheets tested for UV protection. I suspect the Costco sheets would be 50. I borrowed this ratings table from Rockywoods.com.
Pattern Layout
Lots of fabric to work with. This is a queen size sheet that measured 82 inches wide by 95 inches long after I tore the edges and bottom hem to straighten the grain. Do not depend on the hemmed edges as they may not be on grain. Snip into the sheet next to the hemmed edge and tear quickly up to the top. Repeat for the opposite side and bottom hem. I leave the top hemmed edge intact to reference the right and wrong sides. The king sized sheet I used measured 104 inches wide by 95 inches long after tearing. The top of the sheet has been folded back a few times here, but you can see that a queen sized sheet easily has enough fabric for 2 shirts or 1 shirt and 1 pair of pants. Use leftover fabric for arm covers (use sleeve pattern minus the sleeve cap for a sewn tube with elastic at top) scarves, etc. The front of the shirt has been changed to have a fold back facing that I just pinned on to the original pattern at the center front line, as I did not like the original button band which is just turned under twice and pressed. The sleeves have been lengthened by 1 inch and I also added a 2 inch cuff. An elbow dart has been added to the sleeve as an experiment for better draping on a one piece sleeve, because that's important when walking your dog around the park, which is where these shirts will be seen. We'll see how that works out. In case you think the patterns look wide, there are 1 inch seam allowances at the sides for fitting, and 3/8 (1 cm) everywhere else. I also added .5 inch to the front and reduced .5 inch in the back at the side seams. My front bust and hip, plus 2 inches, and my back bust and hip plus 2 inches. Measure your body separately front and back, and you may benefit from this, too.
Costco sheets
These sheets came from Costco via my local thrift store for around $10 each. I was able to find light grey, light lilac and whatever color that is on the right - dark aqua? I did have to make the trip to a real fabric store for matching buttons and thread. They still had some UPF fabric there, but I turned up my nose and walked right by. OK, I might have touched it quickly as I walked by. The sheets feel better.
UPF Shirt
UPF shirt made from Costco microfiber sheet, Burda 7136 modified. Any pattern can be used, but make it loose fitting. I allowed 4 inches of ease at bust and hip, plus side slits, and 3 inches of ease in the bicep area on the sleeve. The high collar protects my neck and extra-long sleeves protect my hands down to my knuckles. There is a double layer yoke for extra shoulder and upper back protection where I have had several moles removed. I do own some UPF knit long sleeved t-shirts from Mountain Warehouse. They are designed to be snug-fitting and are hotter to wear than a loose-fitting woven shirt that the air can move through. I have already made another shirt from the light lilac sheet, and plan on making a third once I find a light blue sheet.
High collar
I modified the pattern's collar and used the collar stand only, shortened to meet at center front. The collar was interfaced, along with the front buttonhole area. Beware that some interfacings may not adhere very well to the microfiber fabric and may require a quick press after laundering or they will look bubbly or rippled. After making this discovery, I now spot fuse interfacing for the button and buttonhole area only, not the entire length. The collar may need a quick press, but the rest of the shirt comes out of the dryer wrinkle free. I don't really like the front band that is just turned back twice and pressed. Future shirts will have a fold back facing.
Double Yoke
The back has a double (self-lined) yoke for extra protection for the upper back and shoulder area where I have had moles removed. This also finished the inside very neatly, enclosing the shoulder and collar seams. The seam looks a little rippled since I did not press it after laundering.
Lilac UPF Shirt
Here I am wearing my indoor pants with my outdoor shirt. The pattern did not have a waist dart, but the fabric told me it needed one. I cheated and stitched it from the shoulder yoke seam right through the hem. I have since turned this darted pattern into princess seams for further shaping and a better drape. This eliminated the slight drag lines left behind on the side. This shirt also has a fold back facing. I experimented here with inserting the collar between the facing/yoke and bodice, like a one piece collar meant to be worn open. It sewed up quicker and neater, but I feel the collar touching my neck just a bit more,
Arm and Chest Cover
Here is an arm and chest cover that I made about 10 years ago and still use today in the car. It opens in the back (just cut open and edges hemmed) like a mini Snuggie blanket without the blanket part. Not made from a microfiber sheet, but polyester interlock. I didn't think about using sheets 10 years ago. It lives squished up in the glove box in the car, along with my husband's arm covers. This goes on me first, then the seat belt. I now keep some pillowcases in the car to throw over my lap. Maybe its time to make a longer Sun Snuggie.
The Sun Snuggie
If you have a Snuggie or Slanket, this might look familiar. Made from a polyester microfiber sheet, this is my new cover up to wear in the car for long trips. By long, I mean more than 15-20 minutes, or having to wait in the car in the vet's parking lot in the sun until we are called for our appointment, and they always run late. Made from McCall's 5970 which was meant for fleece. This one is 60 inches long with a pocket in front. Previous versions were made longer with a foot pocket for lounging and keeping warm at home. I had been placing a pillowcase over my legs along with using my chest and arm cover made 10 years ago, but it is nice to have just one item to throw on that covers everything. Coolibar sells expensive shawls and cover ups, but they only cover the upper body, leaving the legs unprotected. Since I do not wear shorts, I was surprised by the amount of freckles, moles and other sun damage on the tops of my legs, caused by the sun going right through my clothes.
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