Free Shirt Patterns – Boys T-Shirt

inside: make your little {and big} guys these great fitting classic t-shirts for play or school. Download the free pattern and use this tutorial to put it together.

These free shirt patterns are a remake of the classic boys tee I shared a few years ago. So excited to be sharing an {even better} free sewing pattern! You know I think free printable sewing patterns are just the best way to start sewing and make sewing for kids so easy! This free pdf sewing pattern comes with three sleeve options, short/long regular and layered. Oh, and I’ve also included an optional cuff and pocket piece to add if desired. This free shirt pattern has been totally re-drafted for a better fit PLUS I’ve added more sizes… if you have the old version I recommend you re-download and try this new version. This is now the landing page for both the long and short sleeve free printable sewing patterns for boys tees. The easy shirt pattern is now in sizes 2-14Y with size chart below.

Free Shirt Patterns – Boys t-shirt {long and short sleeve}

Have you joined the Life Sew Savory group on FB? Join Here! Show off photos, ask questions and join a fun sewing community!

I made the regular sleeves for for Jack and the layered option as a play shirt for Max.

I love the look of layered sleeves without the bulk of actually wearing two shirts. The instructions for creating this look are below and it’s a combination of the long and short sleeve easy shirt pattern.

These two are the best of friends and the worst enemies all at the same time. This photoshoot wasn’t easy to do and I’m making do with photos that show off the shirt…. even if the boys have strange faces and aren’t really doing what I wanted. {haha}

Here is the size chart for the T-shirt free shirt patterns… This shirt is a loose fitting shirt perfect for play {or sleep!} If you want a more tight fit shirt {like for sleepwear} you will want to size down. I didn’t add the height for the little ones, but you can compare the pattern pieces to a current shirt if needed.

Free sewing Pattern download-

OK! Ready to sew? You can make the long sleeve, short sleeve or the fun combo of both with the sewing tutorials below. Click below to get the free sewing pattern download.

Sew an Easy Shirt Pattern –

Okay! Let’s get to making these free shirt patterns! You will need 1/2 – 1 1/2 yards of knit fabric for this project. Find lots of tips for SEWING WITH KNITS HERE. A 3/8″ {1 cm} seam allowance is used and included unless otherwise directed. Here is how the pattern will print and be taped together.

{no cuffs below} If you want to use the cuffs, start by cutting 2″ off the sleeves. {I know the photos says 1″ but that’s the old pattern!!} Then, fold the cuffs together, with wrong sides touching. The direction of greatest stretch should be going from side to side on the cuff. Sew to sleeve edge, stretching as you sew. Top-stitch if desired.

If not adding the cuff, turn under 1/2″ and hem the bottom of the sleeve.

**If adding the pocket do it on the front now. Fold the top of pocket to backside and hem 1/2″. Press the sides and bottom of pocket to backside. Pin to front of shirt in desired place and sew

OPTION 1 FOR NECK: {scroll down for option 2} Sew shoulder seams with right sides together.

For the neck ribbing you can use more of the same t-shirt fabric- I often do this! For contrast on these shirts I used actual ribbing fabric in contrast color. Sew the short ends together right sides together.

Need more help with the neck band? Here is my post all about shirt neckbands…

Fold the ribbing together, wrong sides touching so you have a thin neck ribbing.

With the ribbing seam in the back center {or shoulder seam} pin evenly around neckline, stretching ribbing to fit. Depending on your ribbing fabric stretch you may have to shorten it and then re-pin around. Use a stretch stitch, zig zag or serger to sew.

Sew ribbing on the shirt, then turn up and topstitch. I love to use a double needle with Woolly Nylon thread in the bobbin. The stretch is amazing and I love the look too! {yes, I used black serger thread on this shirt… it was left from the last project and I have such trouble changing colors… so I didn’t change for this project}

OPTION 2 FOR NECK: Start by sewing only 1 shoulder seam together.

Fold the neck ribbing piece with wrong sides together to form a long neck binding. On the right side of the shirt, pin, stretch and sew the ribbing piece around. Use a stretch stitch, zig zag or serger to sew. Fold shirt with right sides together and sew the other shoulder seam.

Open up the shoulder seam and match edges of sleeve to edges of opening on shirt. Pin up to the middle. Make sure to match up the back to the back and the front to the front. Sew.

Sew the sleeve seam and shirt side seam

I like to secure the  threads on the ends of the sleeve. Hem the shirt with a 1″ hem and you are finished!

For the second version with the double layer sleeve, you will want to prepare both the short and long sleeves from the two patterns {the short sleeve pattern pieces are on the short sleeve pattern} Hem the ends of sleeve and sew up the side seam of the sleeves. You now have two prepared sleeves. You will also want to sew up the side seams on your shirt body.

Match up the sleeves so the back of the short one is with the back of the long one and put together right sides out like this.

With the right sides of the sleeve and the right side of the shirt together.. AND matching up the back and fronts, pin the sleeve. Sew.

Pull right side out and you are finished!! You could also add a cuff AND a double layer sleeve if you want to be really adventurous! {ha!} Hem the bottom of your shirt with a 1″ hem if you haven’t already. YEAH!! You did it!! Show off your finished photos in the facebook group.

Of course a few outtakes… {ha!}

You can also use these free printable sewing patterns to make pjs! Both top and bottoms from totally free patterns. To recreate these pjs you will need – the NEW Boys T-Shirt Free Sewing Pattern, and the  Mesh Pants Pattern for Pj Pants HERE.

I hope you can find many, many ways to use this free shirt pattern in your home. I love photos and I hope you will join the pattern group on FB to show off your photos! Here’s one final link download:

More free sewing patterns –

Are here are several other free sewing patterns to download for the whole family:

Free Sewing Patterns for Mens’ shirt

Free Shirt Patterns – Womens Long HERE and Short HERE

  

Girls Swing Tee Free Sewing Pattern