How to sew a boxy tee (free pattern)

To sew a boxy tee, cut the front, back and sleeves on the fold from a light woven fabric, join the shoulders, bind the neckline, set the sleeves in flat, sew the side and underarm seams in one pass, then hem the sleeves and the bottom. The Boxy Tee is free in the Sewzy app in sizes XS to 3XL and takes about 90 minutes.

Download the free Boxy Tee PDF: every size, letter and A0 files and the step-by-step guide.

TL;DR

• A boxy tee is a loose, straight-cut top. There are no darts and no closures, so it is a good first garment.
• It is free in the Sewzy app, in sizes XS to 3XL, chosen by bust measurement.
• Use a light to medium woven, like linen, cotton lawn, double gauze, chambray, tencel or poplin. It is not drafted for knits.
• The neckline is finished with a bias binding. The sleeves are set in flat before the side seams, which keeps the whole top beginner-friendly.
• Fabric runs from about 1¾ yards for the smaller sizes to 2¼ yards for the largest, depending on how wide your fabric is.

What is a boxy tee?

A boxy tee is a relaxed top cut in a straight, roomy shape. Because the fit is loose, there is no shaping to fuss over, which makes it one of the friendliest garments to sew first. The Sewzy version has a bias-bound neckline, flat-set sleeves and an optional patch pocket.

It is sewn from woven fabric, not jersey, so it behaves predictably under the machine. If you want a drapier top, reach for linen or double gauze. For crisp structure, try poplin or chambray.

What size boxy tee should I make?

Pick the size by your bust measurement. Because the tee is meant to be loose, the finished garment is much wider than the body, so there is a lot of ease built in. If you are between sizes or like a very relaxed fit, size down rather than up.

The finished bust shows how roomy each size is, so you can compare it to a loose top you already own. For help reading the chart, see what size sewing pattern do I need.

What fabric and supplies do I need?

Use a light to medium woven with a bit of drape. Linen and cotton lawn are classic choices, and double gauze, chambray, tencel and poplin all work well. Avoid knits, since this pattern is drafted for wovens and the flat-bound neckline is not made to stretch.

• Main fabric in the amount from the table, matched to your fabric width.
• Matching thread and a 70/10 to 80/12 needle for light wovens.
• Optional: a 1½ inch bias tape maker to fold your own neck binding neatly.

Not sure what to buy? The best fabric for beginner sewing guide walks through cotton, linen and why they are easy to handle.

How to sew a boxy tee, step by step

1. Cut. Cut the front, back and sleeves on the fold, and the optional pocket. The ⅜ inch seam allowance and the hem allowances are already included, so cut on the lines.
2. Pocket (optional). If you want a pocket, hem its top edge, press the other sides under and topstitch it to the front before you sew anything else, while the piece is flat.
3. Shoulders. Sew the front to the back at both shoulder seams and press them. Finish the raw edges if you like.
4. Neck binding. Bind the neckline with bias tape for a clean, flat finish. Go slowly around the curve and let the bias lie smooth rather than pulling it tight.
5. Sleeves. With the top still open flat, match each sleeve to the armhole and sew it in. Setting the sleeves in flat is far easier than easing them into a closed armhole.
6. Side seams. Sew each side seam and the underarm of the sleeve in one continuous line, from the sleeve hem down to the bottom.
7. Hems. Turn up and topstitch the sleeve hems and the bottom hem. The tee is finished.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using a knit. A stretchy jersey will not behave with the bound neckline. Keep to wovens for this pattern.
• Sizing up out of habit. There is a lot of ease already. Going a size larger can make the tee look like a tent, so check the finished bust first.
• Stretching the neck binding. Pulling the bias tight makes the neckline cup. Ease it on gently so it stays flat against the body.
• Skipping the press. Pressing each seam open or to the side as you go is what gives a handmade tee a crisp, finished look.

What to sew next

Once you have one boxy tee, the same basic steps carry over to simple bottoms and bags. Try the free elastic-waist skirt or free sleep shorts for an easy outfit, or the free boxed tote bag to practice straight seams. For more first projects, see easy sewing projects for beginners, and to sharpen your stitching, how to sew a straight line and smooth curves.

The Boxy Tee pattern is free in the Sewzy app in sizes XS to 3XL, alongside the rest of the free sewing patterns and clothing patterns.