Shirts Archives - ChCh sews

Oversized shirt patterns

If you’re thinking about sewing big shirts, this is the roundup for you! This season I’m feeling inspired by relaxed fit, natural fibre shirts- they’re 1 part fancy and 1 part sun protection!

Let’s kick off with the Oversized Shirt from The Assembly Line- it’s all in the name! You can also purchase a pack of different shaped collars separately.

Available up to 139cm (54″.5″) hip

“The Garden at Bougival” by Berthe Morisot

For Big Shirt Energy, the Lobethal Shirt from Muna and Broad. This lets you skip making a collar and has excellently sized pockets.

Available up to 182cm (71.5″) hip (but will grade up if sizing is too small to include you for no extra cost)

“Villa with Orange Trees, Nice” by Berthe Morisot

The Cornell Shirt from Elbe Textiles is a casual, oversized shirt with drop shoulder and a grandpa collar which is designed for unisex wearing.

Available up to 143cm (56.5″) hip

Want more shirts?

The Olya Shirt and Shirtdress from Paper Theory Patterns has a great oversized look and fancy breast pockets that are cleverly constructed into the front. I feel like everyone who makes this raves about the clever drafting which makes this an especially fun sew to sink your teeth into.

Available up to 146cm (57.5″) hip

The Bloom Shirt & Dress from Make by TFS has 3 collar options, which includes some very unique collars!

Available up to 159cm (62.5″) hip but will grade up or down if you’re outside of their size range.

The Ellworth from Merchant & Mills is an An oversized, boxy shirt with a dropped back hem and half placket.

Available up to 145cm (57.5″) hip

The Waikerie Shirt (and the Waikerie Dress Expansion) from Muna and Broad has multiple views and distinct short and long-sleeve options.

Available up to 182cm (71.5″) hip (but will grade up if sizing is too small to include you for no extra cost)

Want to get printing?

Email your PDF pattern files through to hello@chchsews.com to get started. A0 printing is $6 per sheet.

Recent patterns printed

I’m always very interested in the patterns which come through for printing, and I thought you might be too! Here’s a roundup of some goodies that have popped out of the printer in the last wee while, and I’ve also included some recommendations for NZ-based places to shop for fabrics which would be a good fit!

The Steele Pinafore from Elbe Textiles

Perfect for medium weight woven fabrics with good drape.

Check out tencel from TFS, linen from The Fine Cloth Company, or rayon from Fab Fabrics, and from Aussie there’s silk noil from A+R Fabrics.

The Medlow Robe from Muna and Broad

Designed to be sewn with a wide variety of woven fabrics, this would be perfect in licorice silk satin from Fab Fabrics, cupro from The Fine Cloth Company, or silk crepe de chine from Hawes and Freer. Make it cosy with sherpa fabric from Minkylicious, or shetland flannel from Jet Greytown.

The Kimball Bomber Jacket from Cashmerette

In NZ, shop ribbing for bombers at Miss Maude, Fable Fabrics, Backstreet Bargains, Fabric Box, or Jones & Taylor.

The Phen Shirt from Pattern Fantastique

Shirt-weight fabrics like washer cotton from The Fine Cloth Company, shirtings from Miss Maude, and linen from Fabric Box would all be great.

The Winslow Culottes from Helen’s Closet

These versatile pants would be great in linen from The Fine Cloth Company, tencel from Fabric Box, or viscose from Miss Maude.

The Gracie Wrap Pattern from The Bold One

Designed for woven fabrics like linen from Miss Maude, seersucker from Fab Fabrics, patterned linens from Drapers Fabric, and washer cotton from The Fine Cloth Company.

The Hexham Dress from Muna and Broad

Great in cotton lycra from Backstreet Bargains, merino from The Merino Collective, jersey from Fable Fabrics, and ribbed cotton from Nellie Joans.

Want to get printing?

Email your PDF pattern files through to hello@chchsews.com to get started. A0 printing is $6 per sheet and postage within NZ is available

Shirts revisited

Of course, I’ve got shirts on the mind since I’ve been making a lot of Tarawi Shirts recently! But, I also wanted to round out the 3rd part in my ‘blogs with shirt patterns’ series.

Check out the other blogs in the series (which includes free shirt patterns and shirt patterns for men) here.

If you’ve got a favourite shirt that I haven’t included, let me know in the comments!

The Tarawi Shirt from Muna and Broad

Available from 91-168cm bust and 105-182cm hip, this pattern comes with 4 cup-sizes, 2 views, narrow and regular bicep options, and narrow and regular neck options!

The Bombazine Shirt is available from 84-152.5cm chest and 93-167.5cm hip

This short-sleeved shirt has a one-piece camp collar and is menswear inspired

The Melody Dolman from Love Notions was recommended by @nickibeesews!

Available from 84-146cm bust and 90-151cm hip, has a camp-style collar, and a shirt-tail hem.

The Novelista Shirt from Blank Slate

Available from 79-135cm bust and 86-149cm hip, the shirt comes with two back view options, princess seams and short or long-sleeves.

The Granville Shirt from Sewaholic is available from a 76-114cm bust and 91-130cm hip

This pattern has front darts and princess seams at the back for shaping.

The Willis Shirt from Seamwork

Available from 84-137cm bust and 89-147cm hip, this sleeveless shirt has a stand collar and bias-finished armholes.

The Kalle Shirt from Closet Core Patterns is available from 79-117cm bust and 84-122cm hip in their 0-20 size range and 107-152.5cm bust and 114-160cm in their 14-32 size range (patterns must be purchased separately)

There are 3 views which have different lengths and collars and you can also purchase a pattern expansion to add long sleeves to the pattern.

Looking for more shirts?

More shirt patterns, including shirt patterns for men can be found on the blog here

More shirt patterns, including free shirt patterns can be found on the blog here

Looking for fabric for shirts in NZ?

Check out the other posts in the series for fabric shop recommendations!

More shirts!

Still on the hunt for the perfect shirt? This is part 2 of my shirt roundup (see part 1 here)!

The Indie Sewing World loves shirts- there’s just so many great patterns out there. Making a shirt is a great way to tackle new skills, and buttonholes eventually become not as scary as they once were.

The Archer Button-Up Shirt from Grainline Studios was perhaps the original Indie Sewing Pattern Shirt!

Available up to 111.7cm (44″) bust and 119.3cm (47″) hip

The Waikerie Shirt and Dress Collection from Muna and Broad is available up to a 182cm (71.5″) hip

This ‘cup-size flexible’ shirt has multiple views, sleeve-lengths, and even collar options through Patreon.

M&B will grade this pattern up to your size if their size chart is too small to include you.

The Olya Shirt & Dress from Paper Theory is available up to a 114cm (45″) bust and 120cm (47.5″) hip

This relaxed, loose fitting shirt has traditional details and a unique sleeve and pocket treatment.

The Bloom Shirt & Dress from Make by TFS comes with options!

With 3 different collar options, just like Muna and Broad, TFS will grade this pattern up to your size if their sizes don’t include you.

Available up to 149.5cm (55.7″) bust and 159.5cm (62.8″) hip

The Gilbert Shirt from Helen’s Closet is available up to a 147.5 cm (58″) bust

With a camp-style collar and a relaxed fit, one of the views has the cute tie-front option which is pictured.

The Harrison Shirt from Cashmerette is a great shirt option for busty folks looking for a fitted shirt option.

With double princess seams, and classic shirt features, the Harrison also comes with cup-size options.

Available up to a 157cm (58″) bust and 157cm (58″) hip

The Naomi Shirt from Coffee + Thread is available up to a 128cm (50.4″) bust and 138cm (54″) hip

Check out chch-based sewist @naomi.joy.creates in her namesake shirt (and this one too)!

The Ellsworth Shirt from Merchant & Mills is available in both their original size range and expanded sizes.

This boxy shirt has a high-low back hem, a half placket and 3/4 length sleeves.

Their largest size is 139.5cm (55″) bust and 145.5cm (57.5″) hip

Shirts for men

Check out the Sanders Button Up from Elbe Textiles, The Fairfield Button Up from Thread Theory, and the Gosling Shirt from SewSew Def. Also take a look at the Nico Shirt and the Tino Shirt from Stokx Patterns which mix woven and knit fabrics for an extra-comfie shirt.

Fabric for shirts?

Of course, there’s lots of great shops in NZ where you can source great shirt-weight fabric!

Miss Maude has a great selection of shirting fabrics.
Florence & Mary have a HUGE selection of Liberty Lawn
Revology Concept stocks Merchant & Mills Fabrics
Stitchbird has a small selection of Nani Iro which would make lovely shirts.

I might come back with part 3 of my shirt roundup, but I’m not sure yet if I’ve got an inspiring enough list! Do you have a favourite shirt which hasn’t been included? Let me know in the comments!

Shirt, shirts, shirts!

I’ve been thinking shirts, and perhaps you have been too? They can keep you cosy in the winter chill, but they can also keep the sun off in summer. Basically, shirts are a great year-round project!

I started this round-up of shirts, and I quickly realised that I knew way more shirts than would fit into just one blog post, so here’s the first post in the series of ‘lots of PDF shirt sewing patterns’!

If you scroll down to the bottom I’m included a list of free shirt sewing patterns!

Want more shirt ideas?

The Stokx Shirtdress from Stokx (an Australian living in Germany) is available up to a 60″ hip.

This shaped dress comes with one option for dress and sleeve length, but can be worn open (like a duster) or closed (like a dress).

The Augusta Shirt & Dress from Grainline Studios is available up to a 59″ hip (their size 30).

The Augusta is fitted through the shoulders, and comes with shirt and dress lengths. The asymmetrical collar is joined by two sleeve options that are interchangeable between the dress and top versions.

A great option for a shirt where you get to skip the buttonholes!

The Meadowood top is the latest pattern from Straight Stitch Design, and is available up to a 59.5″ bust and 60″ hip

You get to skip the collar with the Meadowood, which makes for a speedier project!

The Hippolyta Dress from Sew Me Something

This pattern has a 49″ bust and 52″ hip as the largest size. Check out GariChild’s version.

The Huon Shirt and Dress from Muna and Broad is available up to a 64″ bust and a 71.5″ hip

If their sizes are too small for you, Muna and Broad will grade this pattern up to your size for no extra cost.

The Oversized Shirt Pattern from The Assembly Line is available up to a 54″ hip (Their 3XL)

The pattern comes with one length with long sleeves and with two collar options, a traditional shirt collar and a standing straight collar.

The Byrdie Button-up Blouse & Dress from Pattern Scout.

This has plain and pintuck options, has cup-size options and is available up to a 147cm (58″) hip

The Cornell Shirt from Elbe Textiles

This unisex pattern which has plenty of wearing ease, View A features a button up placket, and View B a classic shirt placket.

Designed to be worn by folks of any gender, this shirt goes up to a 138cm (54.5″) hip

Fabric for shirts?

In NZ, there’s lots of great local options for shirt fabrics!
– Check out TFS’s list of shirting appropriate fabrics, which includes cozy brushed cotton!
– Drapers Fabrics always has a variety of shirt-appropriate fabrics (and plenty of remnant bargains)
– The Fine Cloth Company has a great array of coloured linens which make great shirts!
– For Fabrics Sake has a small selection of woven fabrics including linen and double gauze.
– Shop buttons at Hawes and Freer if you’re hunting for eco/sustainable buttons. Or, check out Trademe!