Jensen button-down shirt – Pattern Test

I haven’t made too many button down shirts for my boys, so I signed up for this pattern test at Wardrobe by Me.  I have made A LOT of button down shirts, so this is not something that is a new skill for me.  Growing up competing in rodeo, we had to wear button down shirts for competition.  I made a lot of them during my high school rodeo years that both my sister and I wore.

I’ve also made a few for my son over the years.  They were mostly using the Oliver + S kids’ shirt pattern.  Well, he has definitely outgrown their sizing!

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This is a size XS, and I will need to size up for the next one.  He was between sizes and I went smaller.  I should have gone bigger as it is tight at his hips and he can’t button the top button. It is still wearable, though, as you can see.  I didn’t have time to sew up another, but I have fabric for two more shirts.  I will get another sewed up for him.  I bought some nice shirting fabric that I picked up locally.

Wardrobe by Me – Jensen Shirt

I haven’t done sleeves like these before with the placket, which gives it a nice professional finish.  I think next time I will add a button to the middle of the placket, though.

If the instructions confuse you, here is a good tutorial on sleeve plackets from Off the Cuff.  The pieces are a little different, but the same general concept.  She also has an interfacing store, and I used the stiff interfacing she sells for the collar.  Use stiff interfacing in the collar.  No one likes a floppy collar!

I added 2″ to the body and 1″ to the sleeve.  He is 5′ 11″, so 5″ taller than the height for the smaller sizes.  I think that was a good amount for the fit.

Side note: This was the cheapest fabric I purchased for the shirts, which he chose for me to sew up.  It was horribly off grain.  I had to cut most of the pieces separately, since otherwise the lines would not match up.  Such a pain!  I think the other two fabrics I picked up will be fine.  One was a bit pricey, so the hubby may get that one, since he is all done growing.

The shirt has a back yoke that is cut on the bias, which helps with stretching across the upper back.

Here are the details on the release sale of the Jensen Shirt:

• The pattern is on sale this week for $10.00 (reg 12.00) The sale ends 4-28-2018. Buy both patterns and use code “jensen and anna” for an additional $4.00 off (total price $ 16.00).  They are are hosting a SAL starting 4-26-2018 – join Wardrobe By Me Pattern Support.

If you are on the fence about making a button-down shirt, this is a nice pattern to give it a try.   It also gives you good practice with buttonholes.  I used this tool  to place my buttonholes.

Happy sewing!