Free T-shirt Pattern for Girls (sz 3 to 14)

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. The free t-shirt Pattern is 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.

This girl’s t-shirt pattern is a perfect blank slate, just waiting for your creative customizing.

Want a dress version of this t-shirt pattern? Check out my Perfect T-Shirt Dress Pattern here.

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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

Where Do I Get the Pattern?

• Navigate to the free t-shirt pattern download page in my store.
• Enter your name, email and check out. (It’s free.)
• If you enter your email address correctly, you will be emailed a link to the download for your records, you will also be redirected to a thank you page that links to the pdf pattern for download.
• Download the pattern, save it to your PC, and open the pdf document in adobe acrobat. (sometimes the pattern will auto-open, other times you will need to search your downloaded files for the pattern – depends on your device settings.) Don’t print from google’s online version of adobe or any other knock-off adobe reader app. (It will sometimes cause the pattern to print too small or cause other issues.)

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:

1. My favorite fabric shop for knits:  Funkalicious Fabrics, Fabric.com and Girl Charlee.
2. My Sewing Machine: SINGER 9960 Quantum Stylist, my coverstitch: Janome Cover Pro 1000cpx
3. My Serger: Brother 1034D 3 or 4 Thread Serger or you can just use Pinking Shears
4. Rotary Cutter
5. I love my large ruler and large cutting mat, but you may prefer to start of with a smaller Cutting set
6. Dritz Dual Purpose Marking Pen and Fray Check
7. Ball Point needles
8. Singer walking foot or universal walking foot
9. 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. 

Girls T-shirt Sewing Instructions

Save the pattern instructions for later by pinning here 

Be sure to read the pattern info, binding tips and tips for sewing with knits for best results!

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:
  • 1st choice: The “in the round method” 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. (Tip: I always do the finger stretch test before attempting to sew the binding on.)  
  • 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.)

Pattern info:

• Seam allowance is 3/8 inch with a 1/2 inch bottom and sleeve hem.

Sewing instructions for Free T-Shirt Pattern

Step 1:  Print and Assemble pattern, cut out pattern pieces.

Save the free t-shirt pattern to your desktop, open in adobe.  Set to print actual size and print pattern.  Cut out each block around the outer gray edge and align the gray boxes, edge to edge (don’t overlap) matching up colored circles. Tape pattern together and cut out size needed.  (You can print the bodice twice- one for the front and one for the back or print once and use a tracing wheel and paper.)

Step 2: Cut pattern pieces from fabric.

Fold fabric so the stretch is running side to side.  Line pattern up along fold of fabric.

Cut out a front and back bodice, 2 sleeves and neck binding.

If you are using ribbed binding or fabric with 50% stretch cut out neck binding from pattern. (Otherwise, you’ll want to measure the neckline and cut a strip that is about 15 % shorter than the neckline- or just use these measurements: 10= 14.625, 8= 13.75, 7= 13.375, 6=13, 5=12.75, 4=12.375, 3=11.875)

Step 3: Assemble the T-shirt.

Right sides together, line up front and back bodice of the t-shirt pattern.  Sew together at shoulders, using a 3/8 inch seam allowance. (Don’t forget- if you decide to use the “flat method” (see binding tips above) only sew one shoulder closed.)

Step 4: Attaching Neck Binding to the Free T-shirt Pattern.

Fold binding in half (as shown) press.

(“In the round” method”) Unfold binding, sew with a 3/8 inch seam allowance and trim excess seam.

Refold binding and divide into 4 equal sections.  Mark t-shirt neckline into 4 equal sections.

(Please note: I adjusted the depth of the back neckline, so your side pins my be closer to the shoulder seams.)

Line up the quarter marks as shown:

Attach the binding to the neckline with a 3/8 inch seam allowance.  Stretch the binding fabric as you sew.  Take care to not let the neckline fabric stretch.  (Go slow and know this my take practice.)

For a more finished look, you can topstitch along the edge of the neckline of your t-shirt.

Step 5: Attaching Sleeves to the Shirt.

Fold the edge of the sleeve over 1/2 inch and sew with a zig zag or other stretch stitch.  (Using spray starch will help stabilize the hem for easier sewing.)

Repeat for other sleeve.

Right sides together, line up top of sleeve with shoulder seam.  Sew using a 3/8 inch seam allowance.

Repeat with other sleeve.

Step 6: Sew Side Seams and Hem of the T-shirt Pattern.

Sew along sleeve and down side of shirt.  Repeat on other side.

Hem bottom of the t-shirt, by folding up 1/2 inch and sew with a zig-zag or other stretch stitch.

That’s it you’re done- now go take some pictures!

Save this pattern, pin it here ==>>

As always, if you end up sewing a top using my free t-shirt Pattern, I would love it if you would tag me in your images on Instagram. (use #scatteredmompatterns) Or you can share your photos in my private Facebook Group!

Looking for More Free Patterns to Sew?  

Be sure to check these out:

Yield: 1 t-shirt

Free T-shirt Pattern for Girls

Print

Learn How to sew a girl's t-shirt with this free t-shirt pattern. The pdf pattern is available in sizes 3 to 14.

Prep Time 25 minutes

Active Time 35 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Difficulty easy/intermediate

Estimated Cost $8

Materials

• 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

Tools

• Sewing Machine
• Basic sewing supplies

Instructions

Step 1:  Print and Assemble pattern, cut out pattern pieces.

Save the free t-shirt pattern to your desktop, open in adobe.  Set to print actual size and print pattern.  Cut out each block around the outer gray edge and align the gray boxes, edge to edge (don’t overlap) matching up colored circles. Tape pattern together and cut out size needed.  (You can print the bodice twice- one for the front and one for the back or print once and use a tracing wheel and paper.)

Step 2: Cut pattern pieces from fabric.

Fold fabric so the stretch is running side to side.  Line pattern up along fold of fabric.

Cut out a front and back bodice, 2 sleeves and neck binding.

If you are using ribbed binding or fabric with 50% stretch cut out neck binding from pattern. (Otherwise, you'll want to measure the neckline and cut a strip that is about 15 % shorter than the neckline- or just use these measurements: 10= 14.625, 8= 13.75, 7= 13.375, 6=13, 5=12.75, 4=12.375, 3=11.875)

Step 3: Assemble the T-shirt.

Right sides together, line up front and back bodice of the t-shirt pattern.  Sew together at shoulders, using a 3/8 inch seam allowance. (Don't forget- if you decide to use the "flat method" (see binding tips above) only sew one shoulder closed.)

Step 4: Attaching Neck Binding to the Free T-shirt Pattern.

Fold neck binding in half, press.

("In the round" method") Unfold binding, sew with a 3/8 inch seam allowance and trim excess seam.

Refold binding and divide into 4 equal sections.  Mark t-shirt neckline into 4 equal sections.

Line up the quarter marks.

Attach the binding to the neckline with a 3/8 inch seam allowance.  Stretch the binding fabric as you sew.  Take care to not let the neckline fabric stretch.  (Go slow and know this my take practice.)

For a more finished look, you can topstitch along the edge of the neckline of your t-shirt.

Step 5: Attaching Sleeves to the Shirt.

Fold the edge of the sleeve over 1/2 inch and sew with a zig zag or other stretch stitch.  (Using spray starch will help stabilize the hem for easier sewing.)

Repeat for other sleeve.

Right sides together, line up top of sleeve with shoulder seam.  Sew using a 3/8 inch seam allowance.

Repeat with other sleeve.

Step 6: Sew Side Seams and Hem of the T-shirt Pattern.

Sew along sleeve and down side of shirt.  Repeat on other side.

Hem bottom of the t-shirt, by folding up 1/2 inch and sew with a zig-zag or other stretch stitch.

That's it you're done- now go take some pictures!