Classic Shirt PDF Pattern
A timeless wardrobe staple, the Classic Shirt features traditional shirt making techniques with a chic, modern cut. It's our second best selling pattern for its understated elegance and easy-to-wear feel.
Here at the Modern Sewing Co. we love shirt making. Once you've learnt the techniques to a high standard you can apply them again and again. If you're totally new to shirt making you might like to consider our Art of Shirt Making workshop bundle. Click through for more details on how find your feet with tailoring.
You can search instagram for customer makes with the hashtag #msclassicshirt
Skill Level
Sizing & Fit
Materials Needed
How to use PDF Patterns
Where to find your patterns & workshops:
After purchasing you'll find your PDF pattern download and any workshops in your account page. Simply log in (or create an account using the same email address used to purchase) and click the account button in the top right corner. The most up to date versions of the patterns will always be available from within your account. If any changes are made to the pattern or instructions you’ll receive an email notification.
Opening your files:
Some older Window computers have problems opening zip files. If this is the case, you can use the free programme 7-Zip to open your files.
How to print your pattern:
You have two options for printing out your pattern.
1. You can get it printed in A0 at a printing shop or sewing pattern company. Search for "sewing pattern printing company" to find a company that does this in your region.
2. Or you can print it yourself on a home printer in A4 or US Letter format and then tile the pages together using tape.
Using PDF layers:
All of our patterns come with PDF layers so you can select the sizes you want to view and print. To do this you’ll need a PDF viewer such as Adobe Acrobat Reader (this is free to download).
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More details on printing, using PDF layers and general preparation tips can be found on the ‘Using Our Patterns’ document (download for free here). This document comes with all of our patterns.
Customer Reviews
My local fabric shop offered a course on making a button down shirt where we could pick the pattern we wanted to make. This was my first attempt at sewing a button down shirt with a collar and plackets and I chose the Classic Shirt pattern as I wanted to learn more about traditional shirt making techniques. My fabric was a delicate cotton lawn, which was not the best choice as it damaged easily (left holes) when unpicking stitches. This was a difficult pattern for me (an adventurous beginner), but I learned a tremendous amount. Generally I found the diagrams and instructions quite good, but I had difficulty understanding the placket diagrams and instructions. With the help of the course instructor, I figured it out and my finished shirt looked beautiful. Sadly it did not fit me well. I thought I took careful measurements when picking my size, but the finished shirt was too large in the shoulders, too long in the torso and arms, and too roomy below the bust for my liking. I will definitely try this pattern again and make adjustments because the end result is really worth the effort. But given my experience, I would recommend that less experienced sewists take Hetty’s Workshop if attempting this pattern.
I made a size 6 based on my shoulder measurements and am very happy with the fit! I've struggled to find a classic button-up that has the right balance of ease without looking sloppy, and this pattern gets it right with the fitted shoulder and a looser body. I needed more ease in the armholes so I ended up sewing it at a 1.5 SA just at the armpits.
I knocked off 1 star because the instructions and diagrams were quite vague IMO, and I struggled to get a clean finish on the collar stand so had to resort to some hand sewing.
I made the classic shirt as part of my Spring Wardrobe Capsule Course.
Although I’ve sewed for many years, this has been on a self taught basis.
It’s been a steep learning curve but I have learnt so much-jet pocket, bound hem and so many lovely details which give the garment a professional feel. I’ve also learnt that’s it’s ok to unpick and try again.
I’ve worn my shirt several times and picked up many compliments!
