Harrison Shirt
Finally, the answer to your prayers: a fitted button-down shirt that doesn't gape over curves! The Harrison Shirt is designed with double princess seams for a uniquely curve-friendly fit and all the features of a classic shirt, including a two-piece collar, yoke, and placket, separate button bands, and buttoned cuffs. This pattern looks equally pretty in crisp Oxford cottons at the office or cozy flannels for playing in the snow!
Have fuller arms? Download the free Full Bicep Sleeve piece for your Harrison Shirt.
Want some help sewing your Harrison Shirt? Then check out the online class Shirt Making For Curves, which takes you through the whole process in 15 lessons you can watch from home. (Note, the class includes a free PDF or paper pattern too).
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SEWING LEVEL: Intermediate.
SIZING: 12 to 28, in three cup sizes (C/D, E/F, G/H).
RECOMMENDED FABRIC: Light to medium-weight woven fabric such as shirting, lawn, chambray or flannel. Also suitable for stretch woven fabrics.
NOTIONS: Universal needle, 12 buttons size ⅜" - ½"/1cm, fusible interfacing.
USE THE DROPDOWN MENU ABOVE TO ORDER EITHER A PRINTED PATTERN, WHICH WILL BE MAILED TO YOUR ADDRESS, OR A PDF PATTERN, WHICH CAN BE DOWNLOADED.
PDF PATTERN:
The PDF comes as files to print at home or at a copy shop. Files are delivered as a .zip file which can be downloaded on a computer, but not on a mobile device. For more on PDFs, see the FAQs.
NOTE: There are separate files for each view and cup size so you only have to print what you need.
Instructions: 16 pages (4.7 MB)
Print at Home Pattern pieces: 43 pages (0.9 MB)
Copy shop (A0 or US 36" x 48" size): 2 pages (0.7 MB)
FABRIC REQUIREMENTS & MEASUREMENTS: Click on the photos on the left to view.
See what our customers are making!
I have made three of these tops and I have another one cut out waiting to be sewn. This pattern is great for showing off a special fabric or as something casual.
I love this pattern so much, I've made it three times now. I'm a big fan of button-up shirts, and to deal with the typical bust-button-gaps I got used to either buying oversized or using safety pins, but the Harrison has made that a thing of the past.
I make a 12GH and a 16 sleeve. In other companies' patterns I haven't known myself to have particularly large biceps for my size (though I suppose anything's possible!) but in Cashmerette patterns I always have to size up in the arms, so if you have any doubt definitely double check the arm measurement before you cut and if necessary use the free full bicep extension or grade up.
I purchased the pattern after trying 4 or 5 shirt patterns from other companies, and having difficulties adjusting the dart to fit the bust properly. I had managed to get the right size to fit my bust, but was unsuccessful to get a dart right, even after doing FBAs and trying to move the dart.
The interesting feature of this pattern is the double princess seam, which gives plenty of room to experiment. I chose a 28 G/H, and have sewn 3 shirts so far. I had to adjust the shoulders because I have very broad forward shoulders, so I did raise the shoulder seam 2 cm at the shoulder part, leaving the neck part of the seam at the original height. I also moved the back shoulder seam forward 2 cm at the shoulders, and removed 2 cm from the front part at the shoulders. But this was a known modification I usually do on my shirts.
It was also easy to add ease to the waist, as I am rather cylindrical. I drew a straight line from the armscye of the pattern to the hip line, and all was well. That easy for me.
As for the bust, I lowered the apex 2 inches (yes, I work both in centimeters and in inches... I pick the one that is the easiest depending of the thing I do), and the result is pretty amazing. It is easy to find instructions on the web about lowering the apex on princess seams.
I cut the last shirt I made in two different cottons, and the combination of panel colors is stunning. I am now planning to make a Harrison Dress, and I look forward to having as much facility to sew it as I did with the Harrison shirt. For somebody having difficulties finding a shirt that fits their curvy body, this pattern is great. And the look is also modern and elegant, unlike some other patterns I tried that seems to age me 20 years!
The instructions made this daunting project easy and the finished shirt fit as advertised. Great pattern!
Wonderful fit, after some minor adjustments. I chose a size 16 E because of the finished measurements, but it felt snug in the bust, so I let out the double princess seams. Having two made that easy - 1/8 inch each seam. I am also 5'4", and forgot to adjust the length. I cut the finished shirt at the waist and added a band. Voila, a beautiful hack. Finished it with pearl snaps. I included a pic. You would never know it wasn't meant to have the banded waist. I already adjusted the pattern for my next shirt. A beautiful fit.
