Inside: A Long Sleeve T-Shirt Pattern free pdf pattern to sew a fitted tee. Designed for a fitted look this t-shirt is perfect for layers or wearing along. Add cuffs or hem to complete the look.
I’m so excited to have another free pattern ready to share… A womens long sleeve t-shirt pattern! I cannot believe how well received my classic, yet simple free patterns have been. Almost 9,000 free patterns of mine have been downloaded already in 2015… WOW!! I love seeing photos of what you create too, so keep them coming. This pattern comes at the perfect time because its #selfishsewingweek ! This one is perfect for selfish sewing as its a womens t-shirt pattern FREE -the free being the best part! I’ve already sewn up to, and I’ve got visions of many more! Make sure to check out all my Free sewing patterns here.
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This long sleeve shirt pattern will soon become a favorite!
This t-shirt is a classic close fitting shirt. It was based off a favorite of mine from Old Navy… so if you know your size from there you will know your size with this t-shirt… otherwise you can use the chart below. Size up if you want a looser fit shirt. I am sometimes a XS at Old Navy and sometimes a S in shirt sizes… so I sewed up one of each… Here’s the XS… a bit tight for my liking, so I put on a vest as a distraction {ha!} If you want a looser fit shirt try the Free Boyfriend Tee!
This second one is a size S and a bit thicker fabric.. I think it may be my new favorite shirt. I also added cuffs {I’ll show you how in the tutorial} and I didn’t top-stitch the neckline…
Here is the Womens long sleeve t-shirt pattern tutorial:
Okay, let’s jump into the sewing! You can download the Womens T-Shirt Pattern FREE here from my shop. And they let’s get sewing! There is a size chart on the pattern, and I’m also including it here. Also, the taping guide for putting the pdf pattern together.
For the two shirts I made I used the same knit for the neck ribbing you can do this or use actual ribbing fabric. Size XS and S can be cut from 1 yard if it is 60 wide. You will need 1 1/2 – 2 yards for the other sizes. Seam allowance is 3/8 ” for all seams except for hems.
Make sure to print at 100% or ACTUAL SIZE.
My printer seems to always leave off one side of my pdf pattern. It happens for my patterns and for ones I print from other designers. If this happens with your printer I trim the edges and just tape like this… with a small gap.
With right sides together {RST} pin and sew the shoulder seam. If making a cuff on the sleeve, scroll to the end now.
Pin and sew the sleeves {RST} Starting on the outside pin both sides then work towards the center, easing any extra fabric you may have. Make sure the BACK and FRONT and matched up. This sleeve does have a difference for each side.
Now to create the neckline. Use ribbing or the same fabric from the shirt. Sew the short ends of the ribbing piece together, then fold in half wrong sides together to create a thin circle. Pin that circle {RST} to neckline of the shirt. You will need to stretch the ribbing piece to fit. If it doesn’t need to stretch, it’s too big, make smaller and try again. DO NOT stretch the shirt during this step. You only want to stretch the neck ribbing piece. Sew.
At this time you can top-stitch around sewing the seam allowance to the main shirt body, or you can skip it. I did one of each and they both look and work great. It may also depend on your fabric to see if this is needed. I use a double needle with woolly nylon in the bobbin for all my top-stitching.
Turn shirt RST and sew up the arm and side, matching the underarm seam.
If you need to, even out the hem.
Turn and hem 1″ on the bottom and .5″ on the sleeve. I used my same double needle technique for these. You can also zig-zag or use a knit stitch on your machine. Do not just use a regular straight stitch, you will break the threads as you wear the shirt.
***If you want to add a cuff***
{ignore my terribly taped together pattern piece}
1. Extend the sleeve by three inches when you cut your sleeve.
2. Cut off four inched of fabric. 3 that you added and 1 from the sleeve.
4. fold in half and square up the sides.
5. un fold and fold the other way.
6. Stretch and pin RST to the end of the sleeve, sew
7. Turn and top-stitch if you want. Sew the sleeve as directed above.
So there you go! I hope you make one, or two, or a few for yourself! I’m already planning to release a version with short sleeves soon! Here’s another link to the free t-shirt pattern.
What are you sewing this week for yourself?
Matt says
Great explanation. I will try to make my own long sleeves shirt with the help of this post. Thanks.
Marcy Lutz says
Hi Emily,
Here are my measuremnts: 32 chest, 28 waist and 25 hips. My sizes are all over the place. I need smaller sizes generally but these measurements would put me in the medium range which probably would not look good on me. I need some XS’s like at GAP and I also have an XS Old Navy that is very stretchy. Many of my other long-sleeve T’s from H & M and Talbot’s are size S. What is your gut feeling about what size I should use for this long-sleeve T-shirt pattern? Because I generally use them for layering they don’t actually have to be snug but I don’t like them too loose.
Thank you so much!
Emily says
I would make the XS or S.. Depends how tight you want it on your waist… And use stretchy fabric ;o) like jersey or double brushed poly
reg says
hello. thanks for the instructions. would we lay out all the pattern pieces face-up?
reg
reg says
i forgot to mention that i have a directional design on my fabric.
thanks
reg
Anna says
Hi, I was trying to download this pattern but it says the link is broken/inactive. Can you help?
thank you!
Emily says
hi! All my patterns are now in my personal shop! Lifesewsavory.com/shop. I’m working on updating all the links as well!!
Marina says
Hi, what fabric did you use for this?
Maggie Panelli says
I’m a cosplayer who loves patterning my own pieces from scratch, but due to being in a time crunch I used this long sleeved pattern as a base to create an off the shoulder half sleeve shirt and it worked PERFECT. I wouldn’t have been able to finish the shirt in time had I not had this awesome pattern to use as a starting point! I actually just downloaded some more patterns to use as a starting point for my next costume! Thank you SO much for making these patterns free and accessible!
Emily says
yeah!! I love this and would love to see what you are creating!
debi mesika says
hi
love the pattren
thank you very much
do i need to add an extra 1 cm for the seam or is it already included in the psttren ?
Libby says
What type of thread should be used?
Kerri says
Thank you so much! The pattern was easy to assemble, and a few tweaks here and there! I made a polar fleece shirt and a couple more for Christmas presents are planned!
alyssa says
maybe i’m just being dense, but i’m ready to start sewing this and the shoulders don’t match up–the ones on the back piece are wider than the front.
Justina Palmer-Bahr says
I have this too!