Denim shirt with a tie neck – Free sewing pattern download PDF #UP1031

This denim shirt mixes that vintage charm with a fresh twist. It’s got a classic shirt collar generously tied at the front, bust darts for a nice fit, and cuffed sleeves, making it super stylish yet comfy. Grab a light denim fabric and don’t forget some golden stitching thread so that the details really stand out. Just throw it on with your favorite jeans for a chic, head-to-toe denim look.

Download the FREE PDF sewing pattern, and sew your own handmade shirt now!

1 cm (3/8″) seam allowance included!

Material

2 m (2 1/4 yd) lightweight denim, chambray or twill
1.2 m (1 3/8 yd) fusible interfacing
All-purpose thread
Jeans needle (size 16-18)
10x buttons, 1 cm (3/8”) wide
Buttonhole cutter or seam ripper
Hand-sewing needle
OPTIONAL: topstitch thread

PLEASE NOTE! Fabric requirements are based on a width of 150 cm (59″). If your fabric is narrower, you may need more fabric!

Download the free PDF sewing pattern…

… and once you’re done, share a photo of you wearing proudly your new handmade shirt with #unfetteredpatterns or tag us @unfetteredpatterns!

UP1031-A4-LETTER_compressed Download

Need help to print your pattern? Check our detailed tutorial here! Also, find out how you can customize your pattern for A0 printers and projectors here.

Need help completing the project?

Check our Kofi store for printable sewing tutorials, including detailed sewing instructions, line sketches, a sizing guide, and a list of the materials needed!

Shop now!

Sizing Guide

This pattern is drafted according to the following body measurements. Standard height is 1.64 m (5.4 ft). Check this tutorial if you want to add sizes to your pattern!

	XS	S	S/M	M	M/L	L	XL
Bust	85 cm (33 1/2″)	89 cm (35″)	93 cm (36 1/2″)	97 cm (38″)	101 cm (39 1/2″)	105 cm (41″)	109 cm (42 1/2″)
Waist	64 cm (25 1/2″)	68 cm (27″)	72 cm (28 1/2″)	76 cm (30″)	80 cm (31 1/2″)	84 cm (33″)	88 cm (34 1/2″)
Hips	94 cm (36 1/2″)	96 cm (38″)	100 cm (39 1/2″)	104 cm (41″)	108 cm (42 1/2″)	112 cm (44″)	116 cm (45 1/2″)

Finished garment measurements

Ease is included in the measurements below to make the garment larger than the body.

	XS	S	S/M	M	M/L	L	XL
Bust	89 cm (35 1/4″)	93 cm (36 3/4″)	97 cm (38 1/4″)	101 cm (39 3/4″)	105 cm (41 1/4″)	109 cm (42 3/4″)	113 cm (44 1/4″)
Length	68 cm (26 7/8″)	69 cm (27 1/4″)	70 cm (27 5/8″)	71 cm (28″)	72 cm (28 3/8″)	73 cm (28 3/4″)	74 cm (29 1/8″)
Biceps	33.4 cm (13 1/8″)	34.6 cm (13 5/8″)	35.8 cm (14 1/8″)	37 cm (14 5/8″)	38.2 cm (15 1/8″)	39.4 cm (15 5/8″)	40.6 cm (16 1/8″)

Sewing Notes

Here are some tips we recommend for a successful sewing project:

Fit and style

First, pick a size based on your bust. Check out the body measurements chart for help. If your hips land you in a different size, feel free to adjust the pattern to make it wider or narrower as needed.
On the finished garment measurements chart, you can also see how long the garment is and if it’ll work for your height. It’s a good idea to compare the length with something similar you already own. Just keep in mind it has a curved hemline, so the length should be comfy enough to tuck it in!
If you want to adjust the length of your garment, just make a cut above the hemline on the pattern, across the grainline. Then, spread it out for extra length, or overlap it to make it shorter. When you spread it, use some paper scraps to fill in the gaps. Tape it all back together.
If you adjust the pattern, just make sure to replace the button and buttonhole symbols so everything lines up evenly.
Make sure to adjust the sleeve length just like you did with the body—add or remove the same amount!

Fabrics

This pattern isn’t meant for heavy fabrics, so grab a lighter denim like chambray. It’ll keep the shirt from feeling too stiff or bulky. If you want to mix it up, you can also go for other shirting fabrics like lawn or oxford!

Cutting out

Preshrink the fabric before you start cutting it out. To do so, wash and dry the same way you would with the finished garment. This means you should also take into account the fabric type and its content.
Once the fabric is washed and dried, press it to remove all the creases. Be sure that you’ve set your iron to a temperature that is suitable to the fabric. As a rule of thumb, synthetic fibers (acrylic, spandex, polyester…) should be pressed at low heat, and natural fibers (cotton, wool, linen…) should be pressed at high heat.
When you’re ready to cut into the fabric, fold it lengthwise, right sides together. The fold should not twist and lay flat. If it’s twisting, unfold and fold again, until it lays flat. Then, place the pattern pieces so that the grainline is parallel to the selvages.
Be sure that you don’t cut the notches too much, they should be about 0.3-0.4 cm long (1/8″). If your fabric frays a lot, you may prefer to mark your notches with a chalk.

Sewing

This project is intermediate level, making it an excellent choice for those looking to develop their sewing skills further.
If you’re not sure how to sew buttonholes, be sure to check your sewing machine manual. The process will vary from one machine to another.
If you’re using topstitching thread, make sure to wind the bobbin with some all-purpose thread that matches the color. And don’t forget to use a needle that’s made for topstitching thread (larger needle size with a wider eye to accommodate thicker threads). Also, you might want to increase the thread tension, so grab a scrap of fabric and give it a test run first.

Good luck with your sewing project!

You can now support me on Ko-Fi! Any amount helps covering the fees for pattern making and illustrating software, fabrics, threads… If you can’t afford a donation, you can also support the blog by liking, sharing and commenting my posts. Anything helps! Thanks!