A men short sleeve shirt is a timeless wardrobe staple that's comfortable, versatile, and satisfying to sew. Whether you're making a casual everyday shirt or something a little more polished, sewing your own allows you to achieve a great fit while learning classic shirtmaking techniques such as constructing a camp collar, attaching a chest pocket, and sewing a button-front placket.
The Winslet's Paul Men's Short Sleeve Shirt Sewing Pattern is a well-balanced project for intermediate sewists who want to build confidence with shirt construction. Featuring a regular fit, camp collar, short sleeves, and chest pocket, this pattern includes detailed step-by-step instructions to guide you through every stage of the sewing process.
Why Sew a Men's Short Sleeve Shirt?
- Create a classic button-front shirt suitable for everyday wear.
- Learn essential shirtmaking techniques, including sewing a camp collar and front facings.
- Practice constructing and attaching a functional chest pocket.
- Build confidence sewing sleeves, collars, hems, and buttonholes.
- Sew a comfortable regular-fit shirt that pairs easily with jeans, chinos, or shorts.
Why Choose the Winslet's Paul Men's Short Sleeve Shirt Pattern?
The Winslet's Paul Men's Short Sleeve Shirt Sewing Pattern is designed to help sewists create a clean, classic short sleeves shirt with professional-looking results.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Design Features:
- Regular fit
- Camp collar
- Short sleeves
- Chest pocket
Available Sizes: US 34 - US 54 | UK 34 - UK 54 | EU 44 - EU 64
Supplies & Notions
Prepare the following before you begin sewing:
- Light to medium weight woven fabric
- 3-ply polyester thread
- Fusible interfacing
- Buttons
- Sewing machine
- Sewing needles
- Buttonhole presser foot
- Fabric shears
- Thread cutter
- Pins
- Tape measure
- Chalk
- Iron
Fabric Recommendations
This pattern is suitable for light to medium weight woven fabrics, including:
- Cotton
- Poplin
- Seersucker
- Voile
The sample garment shown in the sewing guide is made using poly cotton fabric, which offers several benefits:
- Durable yet lightweight
- Versatile in use
- Moisture-wicking and crease-resistant
- Soft to the touch with graceful drape
- Accessible and affordable
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
Cut the following pattern pieces:
- A. Front — Cut 2 Fabric
- B. Back — Cut 1 Fabric
- C. Sleeve — Cut 2 Fabric
- D. Front Facing — Cut 2 Fabric
- E. Back Yoke — Cut 2 Fabric
- F. Collar — Cut 2 Fabric
- G. Pocket — Cut 1 Fabric
- H. Pocket Patch — Cut 1 Fabric
Prepared during sewing:
- Collar Ready — Cut 0
- Pocket Ready — Cut 0
Pattern Marking
Before cutting your fabric, familiarize yourself with the markings included on the pattern pieces. These markings ensure each piece aligns correctly during construction.
The pattern includes markings for:
- Grainlines
- Center line
- Placket center line
- Front facing edge
- Button and buttonhole placements
- Collar notches
- Armhole notches
- Center back notch
- Shoulder markings
- Lapel line
- Neckline
- Side seam
- Waist line
- Back across
- Pocket placement
- Pocket patch join
- Pocket top, sides, and bottom
- Hemline
Transfer all markings accurately to your fabric before sewing.
Cutting Layout
Arrange the pattern pieces according to the cutting layout diagrams provided in the sewing guide, making sure each grainline runs parallel to the selvage.
The layouts are designed for both 45-inch and 60-inch fabric widths and are intended for non-directional fabrics. If your fabric has a nap or directional print, purchase additional fabric to accommodate the layout.
The illustrated layouts use US Size 40 as the example.
Fabric Cutting and Preparation
Arrange all pattern pieces according to the cutting layout before pinning them securely to the fabric.
When cutting with fabric shears, trace each pattern piece and cut carefully, removing any chalk or pencil lines as you cut. Be sure to cut all notches, as these help align the pieces accurately during construction.
Transfer all pattern markings—including circles, buttonholes, fold lines, and center front markings—to the wrong side of the fabric using chalk or a fabric marking pen.
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 (3/8”) seam allowance all around but 2.5 cm (1”) at the pocket opening for the pocket piece.
Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions
1. Attach the Pocket and Pocket Patch
1a. Fold the pocket patch join twice toward the wrong side—once at 1 cm and again along the seamline. Press with an iron.
1b. Place the right side of the prepared pocket patch against the wrong side of the pocket piece, aligning the top seamline.
1c. Sew along the top seamline.
1d. Turn the pocket patch to the right side of the pocket piece and press the seam. Align the pocket patch join seamline and sew along the seamline.
1e. Fold the seam allowance on the remaining three sides toward the wrong side, leaving the pocket top unfolded. Press.
1f. Position the prepared pocket on the marked pocket placement on the left front piece, right side facing up.
1g. Sew around the folded edges of the pocket to secure it in place.
2. Attach the Front Facing
2a. Serge the outer edge of each front facing.
2b. Place each front facing and front shirt piece right sides together. Align the center front and sew from the collar notch to the hem. Clip the collar notch.
2c. Turn the facing to the wrong side and press.
Repeat the same process for the opposite front piece.
3. Attach the Back Yoke
3a. Place both back yoke pieces right sides together and sandwich the back piece between them. Align the back across edges and pin.
3b. Sew along the back across seam, matching the notches.
3c. Turn the yoke pieces right side out and press the seam.
4. Join the Shoulder Seams
Fold and press the shoulder seam allowance of both back yoke pieces toward the wrong side.
Insert the shoulder seam allowance of the front piece between the two back yoke layers, aligning the shoulder seamlines. Sew along the shoulder seam.
Repeat for the opposite shoulder.
5. Prepare and Attach the Collar
5a. Place both collar pieces right sides together.
5b. Sew from one collar side around the neckline to the opposite collar side.
5c. Clip the collar corners, then turn the collar right side out.
5d. Lay the shirt right side up. Position the prepared collar on the neckline, matching the collar notches and aligning the center back notch with the center back of the shirt. Pin the bottom collar neckline seam allowance to the shirt neckline.
5e. Sew the bottom collar to the shirt neckline, leaving the top collar neckline seam allowance unstitched.
5f. Turn the shirt to the wrong side. Fold the top collar seam allowance inward, enclosing the previously sewn seam allowance inside the collar. Sew along the neckline using a lock stitch to close the collar.
6. Attach the Sleeves
Spread open the shoulder seam of the shirt.
6a. Place the sleeve onto the prepared shirt, matching the back armhole notch with the back armhole notch on the shirt and the sleeve center notch with the shoulder seam. Pin in place.
6b. Sew along the seamline to attach the sleeve.
Repeat the same process for the opposite sleeve.
7. Sew the Side Seams
Align the side seams, then sew continuously from the sleeve hem down to the bottom hem using a lock stitch.
Repeat for the opposite side seam.
8. Finish the Hems
Fold the bottom hem seam allowance by approximately 1 cm, then fold it again along the hemline toward the wrong side. Press with an iron.
Sew along the folded edge, starting from one placket edge to the other.
Repeat the same process for both sleeve hems.
9. Sew the Buttonholes and Buttons
Using a buttonhole presser foot, sew the buttonholes with zig-zag stitches at the designated buttonhole markings or at equal intervals.
Then sew the buttons onto the right front, aligning them parallel with the buttonholes on the left front.
Ready to Sew Your Own Men's Short Sleeve Shirt?
A classic short sleeves shirt is one of the most rewarding garments to make, combining timeless style with practical sewing techniques. The Winslet's Paul Men's Short Sleeve Shirt Sewing Pattern guides you through every stage of construction, from preparing the pocket and collar to attaching the sleeves, sewing the hems, and finishing with professional buttonholes.
Whether you're looking to expand your shirtmaking skills or add a versatile handmade piece to your wardrobe, this pattern provides clear instructions and thoughtful construction details to help you achieve excellent results. Download the pattern today and enjoy sewing your own custom-made short sleeves shirt.
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Share your finished Paul Men's Short Sleeve Shirt on social media with #MadeWithWinslets. If you have questions, feedback, or customization requests, contact the Winslet's team at support@winslets.com.
