Shirts worn during the Civil War were basically the same as shirts that had been worn for centuries. This practical Square Cut pattern style wasted very little fabric and only required fitting at the neckline and wrists. Until the 1800s, shirts were considered undergarments and were not worn in public without a vest or jacket. The addition of the bib front by firefighters in the early 1800s, however, sparked it's move from undergarment to outergarment.
This shirt pattern by Thimbles and Acorns includes instructions for both the plain front and bib front shirt. Historically, these shirts were made with half-placket openings, but to make it easier for dressing dolls with larger scale heads, there is also a full placket option. The cut of the pattern is in the traditional Square cut pattern. Instead of full gussets, however, this pattern uses half gussets, making it easier to sew. The shirt is made with working buttons, along the front and snaps with decorative buttons at the neckline and wrists to make fastening easier. Snaps or hook and loop tape with decorative buttons can be used along the front if preferred. Wearing a shirt without neckwear was considered indecent, so we have also included instructions for making and tying a simple cravat.
This PDF sewing pattern is sized to fit American Girl® and other similarly sized dolls.
Recommended Fabrics: Shirt in lightweight to medium weight woven fabric such as cotton, cotton blends, linen, or silk. Not suitable for knits.
Supplies Needed:
Fabric:
-View A Shirt ~ 1/3 yard (1/3 m)
-View B Shirt ~ 1/2 yard (1/2 m)
Note: Fabric amounts are generous; most items can be cut from leftover pieces of fabric.
Notions:
-Thread; 28-inches of 3/8-inch (9mm) to 1-1/4-inch (3 cm) wide ribbon, silk embroidery ribbon works best. -View A Shirt ~ seven 1/4-inch (6 mm) buttons; three small snaps.
-View B Shirt ~ eleven 1/4-inch (6 mm) buttons; three small snaps
Skill Level: Intermediate
What You Get: One 24 page sewing pattern that you digitally download as a PDF file so you can start your project immediately! The PDF sewing pattern provides digitally drawn step-by-step illustrated instructions and full size pattern pieces. A PDF reader is required to view and print the files (example: Adobe Reader or Preview for MAC). The download link is received immediately after the transaction is complete. Print copies are NOT available
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Pixie Faire and the designers featured are not affiliated with American Girl®
