sew along part 1: pattern and pieces

Are you all set with your fabric, etc!?

Let's jump right in and make a pattern!

Did I lose any of you?

Fear not-I am here to figuratively hold your hand through this process!

Click below for more!

So. You have that shirt that fits your child (looser is better in this case), right?

Lay it out, folded in half like so. I use white wrapping paper for my patterns-but you could use anything. Even a few pieces of copy paper taped together. (been there...done that)

Trace around your shirt like so, leaving a 1/2 inch around the shirt to allow for seam allowances and room to grow into the shirt a little.

I added some length to my shirt since it was kinda short.

This is what it should look like!

Make sure to trace where it dips lower in the front.

Next, cut that pattern out, and draw your sleeve piece. It should follow the curve of the shoulder seam and then come out straight like the picture shows. You can adjust sleeve length easily by shortening or lengthening it.

This is what you should have! Label them-where the folds should be (see pic), and size, etc. Mine ARE brand new-i just had to wrinkle them up so they'd lay flat-ish.

Now trace out your shirt piece and cut out another one exactly like it. That will be your back.

Now we'll mess around with the front piece.

You'll cut it in half about 1 1/2 inches below the sleeve part.

Like so... now make sure to mark that you need to add 1/2" (do as I say, not as I do/write! hehe)

to each side when you cut. See pic.

Also cut out the part where it dips down in the front on your front pattern.

Here are your pattern pieces! phew hard part is over.

Now cut out your pattern pieces!

1 back

1 front bodice

1 front shirt "bottom" (is there a better word?)

2 sleeves

tada!

Now for the extra stuff.

Cut out 2 pieces of fabric for the ruffles. I cut mine 1.5" x 6".

Placket-cut a piece 1.5"x the measurement of the middle of your bodice piece. (mine was 4.5")

Cut a piece of fabric on the bias for your collar. Just make sure it's long enough to go around, and I cut mine 1 3/4" wide to use with my bias tape maker.

Also, not shown..cut a piece of main fabric for the button closure in back. I cut mine 6"x3" but you may need to adjust for different sizes.

Of course, let me know if you have any questions, and I'll answer them in the comments.

Tomorrow: The bodice and placket...fun :) You're gonna end up with a CA-ute shirt!!

If you'd like to show off your in progress shirt-add it to the flickr group and we can check out each others work! Awesome!