Sew a Camp Shirt with Meg

---

The Clear Creek Camp Shirt is a classic button-up blouse with a notched collar, a pocket, and an easy fit that’s a timeless staple in any wardrobe. Classic patterns like this make a perfect base for pattern hacking, which is why I’m focusing on it in my workshop for Sewcation. Come sew a camp shirt with me!

Pattern hacking is the process of changing the style of a pattern without compromising the base fit. It’s a fun way to remake a favorite pattern in a slightly new and refreshing way.

Did I mention that Spoonflower is supplying all the fabric for the workshop, including a fun custom Sew & Tell print? We’ll have fun print mixing, paneling, or sewing basic together all while learning the fun of pattern hacking.

Here, I’m sewing up a sample in our adorable custom print, not making any major changes to the pattern (I just added sleeve cuffs and cropped the hem). Follow along to sew up a matching set for our pajama night! Both of the patterns I used are free downloads: the Clear Creek Camp Shirt and the Drawstring Lounge Shorts.

Sewing My Sewcation Clear Creek Camp Shirt

The first thing to sew is the collar. Here I decided not to interface the undercollar and facing pieces for a less structured look.

Place the collar pieces, right sides together, and stitch along the outer edges. Clip the corners, grade the seam allowance, and flip to the right side. Then baste together the bottom opening edges.

Stitch the shoulder seams, right sides together, and press open. Make sure to clip into the marked notch along the front neckline. Clip to but not through the point.

Pin the collar right sides together at the notch.

Work around the notch, clipping to pin the neckline to the collar.

Stitch the collar to the neckline, pivoting at the notch.

On the facing pieces, stitch the shoulder seams right sides together, press open, and then finish around the outer edge. Make sure to clip into the neckline notch on the front-facing piece.

The collar is sandwiched in between the facing and the shirt. Pin the facing starting at the hemline, all the way up the center front, and along the neckline. Use the clip to maneuver around the collar.

Stitch the facing to the collar and shirt, pivoting at the corners as well as the collar notches. Clip the corners, grade the seam allowance, and make small triangles, clipping along the neckline.

Flip the facing to the wrong side of the shirt, and give the entire collar a good press.

Topstitch around the outer edge of the front and collar, pivoting at the corners. Lay the shirt flat and pin the outer edge of the facing to the shirt.

Topstitch the facing down around ¼” in from the outer edge.

Pin and install the sleeve, right sides together, with the corresponding armhole, and then finish the allowances together.

Pin the sleeve seam and side seam as one continuous seam, matching the underarm point.

Press the sleeve hem allowance 1/4″ to the wrong side and then press up another 1”. Topstitch 1/8” from the top edge. Repeat for the hem.

To create the self-cuff, press up the cuff allowance to the right side. Then on the sleeve seam, stitch in the stitch to hold the cuff in place.

Mark and install your buttonholes on one of the front edges.

Cut open the buttonholes and then mark button placement.

Machine or hand stitch the buttons to the shirt and it’s done!

I also stitched up a matching pair of shorts to create the perfect little pajama set.

For the shorts, I opted for elastic instead of a drawstring. I love how these look together and will keep me comfy and cool while sleeping on Sewcation.

Fun Fabrics for Sewcation

These are just a few of the available Spoonflower “camp” prints that students can choose from in the workshop.

Collared classic shirts provide lots of opportunities for fun fabric mixing! To prepare for the workshop, I’m planning on sewing up some other shirts with these combinations:

Check out the other colorway for the custom Sewcation Sew & Tell print!

I hope to see you at the Sewcation, but if you are unable to attend, you can still stitch up these pajamas and plan your own sewing movie night and pajama party!

Happy camp shirt sewing!

Meg

---