I have found that if I don't cut up the front before I put the fabric on, it holds the shape better. I cut off the bottom ribbing, sleeve ribbing, and then cut up the side and sleeve. I leave the neck ribbing on until I've finished. I cut the neck ribbing off, as well as cutting up the center front after I've finished all the "patchwork", and put binding on neck, front, and bottom. I usually put a cuff/border on the sleeve so I can turn up the sleeves a little bit. A lady came to our quilt guild and did a workshop on these shirts. On some of them, she left the neck ribbing on, and put the bottom ribbing back on and didn't cut them up the front -- and her husband wears some of them. The ones she showed us were just gorgeous. I'll see if I can find some pictures and post them later.