Looking for a free easy girl’s top you can print at home and sew for your lil missy? I’m excited to share my latest pattern with you today, a free T-Shirt Pattern for girls in sizes 3 to 14!
(*updated 3/18 to add size 14 to the pattern.)
Free Girl’s T-Shirt Pattern, size 3 to 14
I’ve been working on this free t-shirt pattern off and on for several months. (Started in the fall.) I would get motivated work on it for a day; then put it aside for more exciting projects. Of course, I would forget everything I’d done and would have to start again.
I tested so many variations and fits when creating this free t-shirt pattern: shirt width, length, armhole depth, gathered sleeves/not gathered sleeves, but I’ve finally I’ve settled on what I think is just right for a girl: Not too slim, but not too wide and the t-shirt has a slightly longer length that will hopefully keep their little bellies covered when they raise their hands.
This Basic T-shirt Pattern Includes:
Currently, the pattern includes a long sleeve version, short sleeve, and 3/4 length cut lines. I plan to add a flutter-style short sleeve as well. I’ll create a new post for the flutter sleeve top, so keep your eye out for the update! **update**: I released the flutter sleeve top as a separate pattern here: Flutter Sleeve T-Shirt Pattern.
The pattern is a blank slate, perfect for customizing any which way you like.
Want a dress version of this pattern? Check out my Perfect T-Shirt Dress Pattern here.
(Not a follower? Be sure to sign up for my weekly newsletter here– I send it out almost every week, and it includes my latest posts, free patterns, yummy recipes and sometimes links to great sales and giveaways.)
We’ve been baby-chicken-sitting for some friends. Oh my goodness, these little chicks are just too cute! I have a hard time keeping their names straight. I think we were playing with Teeny and Fluffy in these pictures. (We have two more named Buck and Brownie.) We’ll be so sad to send them back to their forever home.
To Make a T-Shirt with this Free T-Shirt Pattern, You Need:
- Pattern
- Up to 3/4 yard stretch knit fabric
- Ribbed binding (usually has 50 to 70% stretch) or other stretchy knit for the neckline (you don’t want to use anything with less than 30% stretch-see notes under pattern tips and tricks)
- Ballpoint/jersey needle
- spray starch/iron
- basic sewing supplies
Girl’s T-Shirt Pattern Information
- Enter your name and email to download the pattern. Save it to your PC, open the pdf document in adobe acrobat. Don’t print from google’s online version of adobe. (It will sometimes cause the pattern to print too small.)
- Seam allowance is 3/8 inch with a 1/2 inch bottom and sleeve hem.
T-Shirt Binding Tips
- The pattern for the neck binding is designed for a ribbed knit with 50 to 75% stretch with good recovery (Fabric Fairy has a lot of good quality ribbed knit choices.) If using a binding fabric with less stretch, you have two choices: 1. Measure the neckline and cut a fabric strip 15% less than the measurement (multiply the neck measurement by .85) and follow the instructions in step 4. (This is the “in the round” method– and it never hurts to do the finger stretch test before sewing…) 2nd choice: The “flat” method– Sew only one shoulder closed, fold binding in half and attach the binding from one end of the neckline to the other. Trim excess binding and sew the other shoulder closed. (The only downside to this method is the seam will be on the side and slightly bulkier.) (Similar to what is done in this tutorial.)
Tips for Sewing with Knits:
- Use a ballpoint/stretch needle
- Sew seams with either a serger, stretch stitch, narrow zig zag or a straight stitch with a longer stitch length and a slightly loosened tension. (Make a couple of practice stitches on your fabric to see what works best.) I also like to use this “lightning bolt” stretch stitch on seams that need strength but a little give. (For my project I used a combination of straight stitch and serger for seams and zig zag on the hems.)
- Use spray starch when pressing hems. Sew hems with a zig zag, twin ball point needle, narrow zig zag with a long stitch length or a straight stitch with a long stitch length and a slightly loosened tension or leave raw. (also helps to use a walking foot.)
- If you find your fabric keeps getting pulled inside the needle plate, place a small piece of tissue underneath the fabric so the feed dogs have something to grip.
T-Shirt Pattern Fit Information
- Size 3: Height- 38.5 inches, Weight- 32 lbs, Finished length: 16. Finished chest: 23.125 inches
- Size 4: Height- 41.5 inches, Weight- 36 lbs, Finished length: 16.85. Finished chest: 23.75
- Size 5: Height- 44.5 inches, Weight- 42 lbs, Finished length: 17.75. Finished chest: 24.375
- Size 6: Height- 46.5 inches, Weight- 48 lbs, Finished length: 18.25. Finished chest: 25.75
- Size 7: Height- 51 inches, Weight- 60 lbs, Finished length: 19. Finished chest: 27.25
- Size 8: Height- 53 inches, Weight- 66 lbs, Finished length: 19.75. Finished chest: 28.5
- Size 10: Height- 55 inches, Weight- 74 lbs, Finished length: 20.75. Finished chest: 29.5
- Size 12: Height- 57.5 inches, Weight- 84 lbs, Finished length: 22.125. Finished chest: 30.75
- Size 14: Height- 60 inches, Weight- 96 lbs, Finished length: 23.75. Finished chest: 32.375
Products used and recommended:
- My favorite fabric shop for knits: Funkalicious Fabrics, Fabric.com and Girl Charlee.
- My Sewing Machine: SINGER 9960 Quantum Stylist, my coverstitch: Janome Cover Pro 1000cpx
- My Serger: Brother 1034D 3 or 4 Thread Serger or you can just use Pinking Shears
- Rotary Cutter
- I love my large ruler and large cutting mat, but you may prefer to start of with a smaller Cutting set
- Dritz Dual Purpose Marking Pen and Fray Check
- Ball Point needles
- Singer walking foot or universal walking foot
- Wonder clips (I didn’t use these in the post, but they are just awesome!
Ready to Sew this T-Shirt?
Download the pattern here. Get the sewing instructions here.
Mec says
Thank you for the pattern, but the link seems to be broken!
Jamie says
Oops, I think I fixed it! Let me know if you are still having issues.
~Jamie
Senga says
I’m clicking on the link but it keeps bringing me back to this page.
Jamie says
It’s there, I promise- I’m having trouble getting my new site to to work properly!
Christine DANNEELS says
Thank you so much !
Anne says
Love it! I’ve got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for tomorrow morning that features your free pattern: http://sewing.craftgossip.com/?p=87206 –Anne
Jamie says
Thanks, Anne!
Liz says
hi do you have a layout of the pattern on the fabric?
Thank you 🙂
Jamie says
I don’t, Sorry!
Kati says
This shirt is so cute (as well as the adorable model). I want to babysit baby chick now. Thanks so much for sharing at the Wednesday Showcase party, my daughter will be enjoying a new shirt soon!
Lauren @ diyfordays.com says
I think I could figure out how to size this for my little 18 mo. old! It would be perfect! Thanks so much for this tutorial!
Jamie says
T-shirts are fairly easy to make if you are confident working with knits. I’m sure you could make your own pattern with a well fitting tee. good luck!
kassiopireyes says
The pattern for the flutter sleeve pls??
kassiopireyes says
Could you pls help me with the downloading of the cardigan with the flutter sleeve pls. I cannot find it anyhwhere, Thanks for yr reply.
Jamie says
The flutter sleeve t-shirt pattern is found here: https://www.scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com/2016/05/free-flutter-sleeve-t-shirt-pattern-sz-3-10.html
Ilinca says
I turned your t-shirt into a turtleneck, it works perfectly:
http://3pisici.blogspot.be/2016/08/almost-back-to-school-from-time-to-time.html
Cynthia Beucler says
Excited to try this adorable shirt
bahar yorgun says
can i get this pattern please?
Jamie says
Sure, fill out the pattern download form found on page 2 and the pattern is automatically sent to the email you entered.
Terri Carter says
Where do you get the cute fabrics?
Jamie says
The owl fabric came from Joann’s and the striped fabric either came from Girl Charlee or Funkalicious Fabrics. The ribbed knit for the neckline came from fabric fairy.
Hannah says
I made one this afternoon – my first t-shirt ever! Thank you. It was surprisingly straight forward and I can imagine all sorts of variations (t shirt dress etc)
Amoy lily says
Nice fabrics!! Thanks Jamie.. 🙂
Josie says
Thank you soo much! Just what I was looking for!!!
-Happy Grandma
Karen Schwanke says
thank you so much for this pattern.I have sewn several skirts to put in shoeboxes for operation christmas child. you have given excellent explanations,I have also used your peasant dress patterns . I find your patterns very clear . thank you so much
Teresa Haarhoff says
Made 3 swing tops adjusted from your t-shirt pattern in beautiful stretch crushed velvet. Both your pattern and tips for sewing with stretch materials gratefully recieved. Thankyou and be blessed
Teresa
from Cape Town.
Melissa says
Thanks so much for this pattern. Its awesome
Sandy says
Where is the boxy pattern?
Jamie Sanders says
Not sure what you’re talking about? I don’t have a boxy pattern. I do know another website used my T-shirt pattern and hacked it to make a boxy top. If that’s what you’re looking for, follow the link at the bottom of this page, where it says ” Head over to page 2 for the pattern”. Add it to your cart and checkout. It’s free.