The Shirt Edition
- Rosie Jones
- Apr 30
- 4 min read
Welcome to Sew & Tell, our new weekly edit landing every Wednesday. Inside you’ll find sewing tips, clever tricks, inspiration for when your sewjo is hiding, and plenty of answers to your burning questions.
Each week, we’ll spotlight one question from our community - so if there’s something you’ve been wondering about your sewing projects, just get in touch and let us know. Everything we share is designed to help you sew with more confidence.
This week we are diving into sewing shirts and trust me there's a lot to share!
✂️ Tip of the Week: What is Staystitching (and why shouldn’t you skip it?)
Some of you might be wondering what staystitching actually is and why we always tell you not to skip it.
Staystitching is a simple line of stitching that helps stop fabric from stretching out of shape. It’s especially important on curved edges, like necklines, because parts of the curve are cut on the bias which naturally has more stretch. If that neckline stretches, your collar won’t sit neatly and you won’t get that clean, crisp finish we’re aiming for in a shirt.
How to staystitch
Using a slightly smaller stitch length, around 1.5 to 2.5mm, sew a line of stitching around the neckline approximately 3mm away from the stitch line (so inside the seam allowance). Do this as soon as possible after cutting your fabric and before sewing any pieces together. Make sure you staystitch both the front and back neckline pieces.
You can also use stay tape for extra stability, especially on softer fabrics, which we’ll mention more about below.
🧵 This Week’s Make Inspiration: Shirts for Spring – The Return of the Classic
As we start to move away from heavy winter layers, shirts and blouses really come into their own. Lighter, breathable fabrics like crisp cottons, linen blends and soft viscose suddenly feel much more appealing, and they’re perfect for building those easy, wearable spring outfits.
We’re seeing a big rise in oversized shirts worn open as relaxed “shackets”, ideal for layering over tees and dresses on those in-between weather days. At the same time, cropped boxy shirts are having a moment, offering a modern silhouette that pairs beautifully with high-waisted trousers and skirts. If you prefer something a little more feminine, blouses with statement sleeves are still everywhere and are a lovely way to add interest.
Of course, the classic button-down shirt never really goes out of style. Worn casually with jeans, it’s one of the most versatile pieces you can have in your handmade wardrobe.
And from a sewing point of view, shirts are incredibly satisfying to make. They’re all about precision and technique, and each step builds your confidence. By the time you’ve attached that final button, you’ve learned so many transferable skills and created a garment that looks beautifully professional.
Shirt patterns we love:
Donny Shirt - Friday Pattern Company - suitable for advanced beginners
Patina Blouse - Friday Pattern Company - suitable for advanced beginners/ intermediate
Jenna Shirt & Dress - Closet Core - suitable for intermediate
Revel Topper - Sew House Seven - suitable for confident beginners
🧵 On the Cutting Table: The Jenna & Patina Shirt Kits
We’ve just finished sewing up a fresh sample of one of our shirt kits and it’s reminded us how good it feels to make a really beautifully constructed shirt.
We currently have sewing kits available for both the Jenna Shirt and the Patina Blouse, and they’re designed to take all the guesswork out of getting started. No hunting around for the right fabric, no second guessing what interfacing you need, and no worrying about whether you’ve bought the correct quantity. Everything has been thoughtfully put together so you can focus on the sewing.
Each kit includes beautifully coordinated fabric, matching thread, interfacing and buttons, all carefully selected to work perfectly together. Everything is prepared so you can get started without second guessing quantities or hunting down the right extras. It’s a simple, confidence-boosting way to approach shirtmaking, without the usual overwhelm of sourcing everything yourself.
🛠 Tools We Love: Stay Tape & Basting Glue
Both of these are must-haves in your haberdashery collection. They’re fantastic for shirtmaking, but you’ll find yourself reaching for them again and again across lots of different projects.
Stay tape is one of those quiet heroes that many of our students haven’t come across before. It’s a narrow, stable tape designed to be sewn into seams to prevent stretching, especially on curved or high-stress areas like necklines and shoulders. In shirtmaking, it’s brilliant for keeping the neckline crisp and helping your collar sit exactly as it should. If you’re working with softer or more drapey fabrics, it can make a noticeable difference to the final finish.
Basting glue (sometimes called fabric glue) is another game changer. It’s washable, you can sew straight through it, and it won’t gum up your needle. It’s perfect for holding down those fiddly areas where pins feel bulky or just won’t behave. In shirtmaking, it really comes into its own on plackets, collars and cuffs, keeping everything neatly in place while you stitch.
FAQ: Is a shirt too advanced for me?
It really depends on your sewing experience, but the short answer is: anyone can sew a shirt with the right support! Our upcoming Learn to Sew a Shirt workshop is designed to guide you through all the tricky bits, from collars to plackets, so you can build confidence as you go.
Shirt patterns come in different levels of complexity, so you can choose one that suits you. If you’re newer to sewing, a pattern without a collar stand and with a more relaxed collar—like a Peter Pan style—can be a lovely place to start. As your skills grow, you can try more structured collars and tailored designs. Shirts are such a satisfying make, and with the right guidance, you’ll be surprised at what you can achieve!
❓ Got a sewing question you’d love us to answer? Share it with us - it might inspire next week’s email!
That’s it for this week’s Sew & Tell! I hope you’ve found a little inspiration, a handy tip, or a spark to get back into your sewing projects.
Until next Wednesday, happy sewing!
Rosie xxx
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