How to Make a Pattern From a Shirt

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

Cut off the back of the shirt along the seams, or fold the sleeves and collar (if any) onto the front of the shirt and pin them in place.
Step 2

Place the shirt back on a large piece of paper or the right side of a piece of fabric.
Step 3

Measure 5/8 inch from the edge of the shirt back to mark the cutting line for the pattern. Use a pencil to mark this distance on the paper, or use a pin to mark it on the fabric.
Step 4

Repeat step 3 for each edge of the shirt back, so that the pencil or pin markings for the pattern are 5/8 inch larger than the shirt all the way around.
Step 5

Cut out the paper pattern or fabric.

Step 1

Unbutton all the buttons if you are using a button-down shirt, and work with one side of the shirt front at a time.
Step 2

Cut off the front of the shirt along the seams, or fold the sleeves and collar (if any) onto the shirt front and pin them in place. For a button-down shirt, fold the back of the shirt and the other half of the shirt front onto the shirt front as well.
Step 3

Place the shirt front on a large piece of paper or the right side of a piece of fabric.
Step 4

Measure 5/8 inch from the edge of the shirt back to mark the cutting line for the pattern. Use a pencil to mark this distance on the paper, or use a pin to mark it on the fabric.
Step 5

Repeat step 4 for each edge of the shirt front, so that the pencil or pin markings for the pattern are 5/8 inch larger than the shirt all the way around. For a button-down shirt, also add 3 inches to the button areas, so that you can fold the fabric over to make placards for the buttons and button holes.
Step 6

Cut out the paper pattern or fabric.
Step 7

Make a pattern for the other half of the button-down shirt front the same way, if applicable.

Step 1

Cut off the sleeves along the armhole seams, or see the directions below to make a pattern without cutting the shirt.
Step 2

Cut open the seam in the lower edge of the sleeve, and cut off any cuffs.
Step 3

Place the sleeve on a large piece of paper or piece of fabric.
Step 4

Measure 5/8 inch from the edge of the sleeve to mark the cutting line for the pattern. Use a pencil to mark this distance on the paper, or use a pin to mark it on the fabric.
Step 5

Repeat step 4 for each edge of the sleeve, so that the pencil or pin markings for the pattern are 5/8 inch larger than the sleeve all the way around.
Step 6

Repeat steps 3 through 5 for the cuffs, if any. Remember that you’ll need to cut two pieces of fabric for each cuff.

Step 1

Fold a piece of paper or fabric in half right sides together.
Step 2

Lay the shirt face up on the paper or piece of fabric, lining up the top of the sleeve with the fold in the paper or fabric.
Step 3

Measure 5/8 inch from the lower edge and open end of the sleeve to mark the cutting line for the sleeve pattern. Use a pencil to mark this distance on the paper, or use pins to mark it on the fabric.
Step 4

Fold the shirt over the sleeve to expose the armhole edge of the sleeve. Mark an armhole line for the pattern, 5/8 inch from the armhole edge of the sleeve.
Step 5

Cut out the paper pattern or fabric. Use the same pattern to make the second sleeve.
Step 6

Measure the cuffs, if any, and make patterns that are 5/8 inch larger than the cuffs all the way around. Remember that you’ll need to cut two pieces of fabric for each cuff.

Step 1

Cut the collar off the shirt along the seam (optional).
Step 2

Place the collar on a piece of paper or fabric and smooth the collar flat.
Step 3

Measure 5/8 inch from the upper edge and ends of the collar to mark the cutting line for the collar pattern. Use a pencil to mark this distance on the paper, or use pins to mark it on the fabric.
Step 4

For an uncut shirt, fold the shirt over the collar to expose the lower edge.
Step 5

Mark the lower edge of the collar pattern 5/8 inch lower than the lower edge of the existing collar.
Step 6

Cut out the paper pattern or fabric.