Made by a Fabricista: Know Me Pattern ME2052, An Oversized Button Front Shirt

Hello friends,

I’m Byrd, and today I’m excited to share my latest Fabricista project with you—an oversized button-front shirt made from the Know Me Pattern ME2052, sewn using a gorgeous 100% Tencel sand-washed challis from Fabric Mart called “Chalkboard Black.”

This shirt has quickly become one of my go-to wardrobe staples for fall, thanks to its versatility and classic design. One of my favorite things about this oversized shirt is its versatility, especially as we transition into cooler weather. In the first photo, I’ve paired the shirt with wide-leg pants, which I think is perfect for fall. I used New Look 6271 for the pants. The loose, flowy fit of both the shirt and pants creates a relaxed but put-together outfit that I can wear just about anywhere. In the second photo, I’m wearing the shirt layered over a jumpsuit. This is such a fun way to wear it, turning it into a light jacket that adds a casual but stylish layer. Whether you’re wearing it as a standalone piece or as a layering piece, this shirt is a must-have.

Let’s talk about the fabric. The sand-washed Tencel challis is incredibly soft, with a luxurious drape that’s perfect for this oversized shirt. The first step in any sewing project is preparing your fabric, and this one is no different. I always recommend washing and drying your fabric before starting. This prevents shrinkage and ensures that the garment holds its shape over time. I machine-washed my fabric on a delicate cycle with cold water and tumble-dried it on low.

This project is intermediate to advanced due to the shirt’s construction details, including a collar with a stand, buttonholes, and double cuff sleeves. In the close-up photos, you’ll see the details that make this shirt stand out. The collar and placket are clean and structured, while the double cuff detail adds an extra touch of sophistication. These design elements might seem intimidating, but they’re worth the effort.

I cut a size 18/20, but I could have easily sized down. However, I really love the oversized look—it adds to the relaxed, effortless vibe of the shirt. For reference, my measurements are bust 42”, waist 40”, and hips 47”.

As the seasons change and the weather cools down, I find myself gravitating toward more detailed projects like this one. There’s something so satisfying about creating a garment that requires a bit more time and focus, especially when the end result is a timeless, versatile piece like this button-front shirt.

I’m so happy with how this shirt turned out, and I can’t wait to wear it all season long. The Tencel fabric from Fabric Mart is a dream to work with, and it gives the shirt that perfect balance of structure and flow. Stay tuned for more of my fall sewing projects—I’ve got plenty more planned!

Thank you Fabric Mart for the beautiful fabric!

You can find me on all social media platforms: YouTube Instagram

Thank you for reading!

Until next time, happy sewing,

BYRD | @yogabyrdsews

Made By A Fabricista: Revisiting a Pattern After Five Years

Have you ever used a sewing pattern and then immediately vowed never to sew it again? Well, I have. It all began in the spring of 2020 at the start of the pandemic lockdown. I tackled sewing projects that were more challenging to help me grow as a seamstress. There was one pattern in particular that almost did me in, the Seamwork Penny shirt dress. The Penny dress pattern has a classic button-up dress shirt style bodice with a gathered skirt and pockets. It is a beautiful take on a shirt dress, and my sister and I loved it. The only downside is that it was recommended for intermediate-level sewists and I was only an adventurous beginner back then. I think I had only ever made one button-up shirt before attempting this Penny Dress and it didn’t even have a collar! Despite all of this, I thought “Why not try it, what’s the worst that can happen?” Thankfully the worst didn’t happen, and the dress turned out surprisingly wearable, but I had some intense frustration at the end. I...

Made By A Fabricista: A Simple Frock for Spring

Hello friends! I’m really into sewing and wearing tent dresses at the moment. A tent dress is basically a wide A-line style gown. For this month’s project, I’ve opted to try out The Assembly Line’s Square Neck Dress. This style is a little avant-garde in its enormity and shape, and boasts the squared neckline it’s named after, plus some cute hem side slits. All that volume is fun to move around in, plus there’s loads of air circulation which is cooling. This dress’s main feature–its wide and high squared neckline–really piqued my interest recently, and I added it to my Make Nine plans for 2025. I find it so satisfying to check off those boxes as I sew! This beautiful shirtweight linen is a color I simply adore; a muted medium blue. Stormy skies, worn-in denim, and ocean waves all come to mind, and that is exactly what I want to be all wrapped up in. While I think a wild or large print would be amazingly on display in this big canvas of a dress, I also thought that a subtle ...

Made By A Fabricista: Bold Aspen Dress for Spring

As I write this in mid-April, central New Jersey weather is showing small signs of spring. My neighbor’s daffodils are blooming and our magnolia tree is trying to unfold its vibrant magenta petals. I am in the midst of preparing my wardrobe for the warmer months, even if we are still huddling against windy 30 degree days. For me, warm weather means linen. I love breathable, floaty linen sundresses and drapey, loose linen wide-leg pants. My vision for a spring piece was something bold and bright, inspired by the natural colors of blooming flowers, but also something that could transition well between the warmer and cooler months. When I saw Fabric Godmother’s Apsen Dress, I knew that it had the sensible transitional opportunities I was looking for while also providing a blank canvas for fun prints, patterns and colors. With the pattern in mind, I then turned to the stunning linen collection that Fabric Mart always has on hand to see what colors or patterns would best suit my visio...

Fabric Mart Fabricistas

Search This Blog