Drawstring Hem Crop Shirts are practical sewing projects for building a warm-weather wardrobe. They combine the familiar details of a button-up shirt with a shorter, relaxed silhouette and provide useful practice with plackets, collars, curved armholes, casings, and narrow fabric ties.
The Winslet's Cedar Drawstring Hem Crop Shirt Sewing Pattern features short sleeves, a tailored collar, a functional front button closure, and an adjustable drawstring hem. The blouse has a relaxed fit through the bust, while the drawstring can be tightened at the waist for a more defined shape.
Why Sew a Drawstring Hem Crop Shirt?
- Create a lightweight button-up blouse for warm-weather outfits.
- Practise constructing reinforced front plackets.
- Learn how to sew a classic collar and collar band.
- Sew short grown-on sleeves with neatly finished edges.
- Create a hem casing and narrow fabric drawstrings.
- Adjust the finished waist using the functional drawstring.
- Pair the cropped blouse with high-waisted trousers, shorts, or skirts.
Why Choose the Winslet's Cedar Drawstring Hem Crop Shirt Sewing Pattern?
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Major Design Features: Short sleeves, cropped length, tailored collar, functional front button closure, adjustable drawstring hem, and a relaxed fit around the bust.
- Available Sizes: US 02 - US 32 | UK 06 - UK 36 | EU 36 - EU 64
Supplies & Notions
Prepare the following supplies before you begin sewing the Cedar Drawstring Hem Crop Shirt Sewing Pattern:
- Fabric
- 3-ply polyester thread
- Fusible interfacing
- Buttons
- Sewing machine
- Buttonhole attachment
- Sewing needles
- Fabric shears
- Thread cutter
- Pins
- Tape measure
- Tailor's chalk or another suitable fabric marking tool
- Iron
Fabric Recommendations
The Cedar Drawstring Hem Crop Shirt Sewing Pattern is designed for:
- Cotton poly
- Crepe
- Viscose fabrics
The sample blouse shown in the sewing guide is made from cotton gauze yarn-dyed fabric.
Size Charts
Check the size charts and measure yourself to select the correct size, using the garment and body measurement tables in the guide.
Verify how much fabric you need by referencing the fabric yield table in the guide.
Pattern Inventory: What Pieces to Prepare
Prepare the following pieces for the Cedar Drawstring Hem Crop Shirt Sewing Pattern:
- A. Front — Cut 2 fabric
- B. Back — Cut 1 fabric
- C. Collar — Cut 2 fabric
- D. Collar Band — Cut 2 fabric
- Collar — Cut 1 fusible interfacing
- Collar Band — Cut 1 fusible interfacing
Use the A4 pattern when printing at home. Use the A0 pattern when printing through a copy shop.
Pattern Marking
Transfer all markings from the Cedar Drawstring Hem Crop Shirt Sewing Pattern before beginning construction. The sewing guide identifies the following markings:
- Grainlines
- Necklines
- Shoulders
- Sleeve hems
- Side seams
- Plackets
- Hemlines
Cutting Layout
The Cedar Drawstring Hem Crop Shirt Sewing Pattern includes separate cutting layouts for 45-inch and 60-inch-wide fabric.
Arrange the pattern pieces so that every grainline arrow runs parallel to the fabric selvage. Pinning the pieces securely before cutting will help prevent movement and improve accuracy.
The layouts are intended for non-directional fabrics. Purchase additional fabric when using material with a nap or directional print.
The Medium size is used to demonstrate both cutting layouts in the sewing guide.
Fabric Cutting and Preparation
Arrange the pattern pieces according to the cutting layout provided for your fabric width. Position each piece so that its grainline arrow remains parallel to the selvage.
If you are using fabric shears, trace around the pattern pieces before cutting. Cut away any visible pen, pencil, or chalk lines and accurately cut all notches shown along the edges.
Transfer construction markings such as circles, buttonholes, and fold lines to the wrong side of the fabric. Mark the centre front of pieces cut on the fold to help with accurate alignment.
Seam Allowance
Please follow the seam allowances as indicated on the pattern file layers. These are provided specifically for each piece to ensure accurate construction.
This pattern uses a 1 cm (or 0.38 inch) seam allowance all around, 2 cm (or 0.75 inch) at the hem and 1.27 cm (or 0.5 inch) at the armhole.
Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions
1. Prepare the Front Plackets
1a. Use fusible interfacing to cut a Front placket without seam allowance.
Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of both Front pieces.
1b. Fold the placket seam allowance toward the wrong side. Fold again along the placket fold line and stitch along the edge.
1c. Fold the prepared placket once more toward the wrong side and stitch along the inside edge.
1d. Open the placket fold.
2. Sew the Shoulder Seams
Place the two Front panels over the Back panel with right sides together.
Align the shoulders and sew along both shoulder seamlines.
3. Prepare and Attach the Collar
3a. Place the two Collar pieces with right sides together.
Sew from one corner of the collar-band seam allowance, around the outer edge of the Collar, and to the opposite collar-band seam allowance corner. Leave the neckline edge open.
3b. Clip the Collar corners to reduce bulk.
Turn the Collar right side out so that the wrong sides are together. Carefully shape the corners using a pencil or another pointed tool.
3c. Take one Collar Band piece and fold its neckline seam allowance toward the wrong side.
Press the fold and secure it temporarily with basting stitches.
3d. Place the Collar between the two Collar Band pieces, with the Collar Band pieces facing right sides together.
Sew through the layers, joining the Collar to both Collar Band pieces and closing the short ends.
3e. Turn the Collar Band right side out and press along the stitching line to form a stable Collar shape.
3f. Place the longer open edge of the Collar Band along the blouse neckline with right sides together.
Pin it in place and sew along the neckline seamline, keeping the folded Collar Band edge free.
3g. Fold the neckline seam allowances inside the Collar Band.
Bring the folded inner edge over the seam allowances. Pin it in place if needed, then sew along the folded edge to enclose the seam allowances.
Remove the basting stitches after securing the Collar Band.
4. Sew the Side Seams
Place the prepared Front panels over the Back panel with right sides together.
Align both side seams and sew along each seamline.
5. Prepare the Drawstrings and Drawstring Hem
5a. Cut two fabric strips on the bias grainline.
Each strip should measure 1.8 inches wide. For the length, use the waist measurement plus an additional 5–8 inches.
5b. Fold each strip lengthwise with right sides together and press it flat.
5c. Sew along the open long edge using a 0.4-inch seam allowance.
5d. Turn each fabric tube right side out using a darning needle or a slender turning tool.
5e. Fold the blouse hem seam allowance once by 0.25 inches toward the wrong side.
Press, pin, and topstitch the fold.
5f. Fold the hem a second time along the hemline provided on the pattern.
Press and pin the fold, then topstitch close to the edge to create the drawstring casing.
5g. Attach a safety pin to one prepared drawstring and feed it through the casing from one end until it comes out through the other.
Repeat with the second drawstring as directed in the guide. Adjust the fabric so that the drawstrings are distributed evenly around the blouse hem.
6. Finish the Sleeve Hems
Fold one Sleeve hem allowance twice at an equal width toward the wrong side.
Press and pin the hem, then sew it from the right side of the fabric.
Repeat the same process for the second Sleeve hem to complete the Cedar Drawstring Hem Crop Shirt.
Ready to Sew Your Own Drawstring Hem Crop Shirt?
The Cedar Drawstring Hem Crop Shirt Sewing Pattern combines the familiar details of a button-up shirt with a relaxed cropped shape. Its short sleeves, tailored collar, functional front closure, and adjustable drawstring hem create a comfortable blouse that can be worn loose or cinched at the waist.
This intermediate project gives you the opportunity to practise interfacing, placket construction, collar assembly, side seams, narrow fabric tubes, and casing construction. Download the Cedar Drawstring Hem Crop Shirt Sewing Pattern and sew a versatile top for warm-weather outfits.
Explore More Sewing Patterns
Browse our Crop Top Sewing Pattern Collection for more stylish handmade tops perfect for warm-weather wardrobes.
Join the Community & Get Support
Share your finished Cedar Drawstring Hem Crop Shirt on social media with #MadeWithWinslets. If you have questions, feedback, or customization requests, contact the Winslet's team at support@winslets.com.
