ROBERTS | WOOD is a design studio focusing on an innovative approach to textiles and construction. We are committed to developing sustainable, flexible production methods, valuing a hybrid of technology and artisanal making.
This ROBERTS | WOOD KiT project is provided as a PDF pattern with sewing instructions.
The shirt features a ‘bow’ shaped patchwork pattern, split over layers of patchwork. The seaming of the patchwork cleverly creates the shape of the garment - an oversized cropped shirt with generous volume on the body, with pleated bow-detail in the back. The pattern should be cut from 3 different fabrics to create the patchwork effect pictured, with the contrasting the bow-shapes appearing as you add the rows of your patchwork.
Now includes a EXTENSION KiT to transform the shirt into an above knee shirtdress
This pattern is ideal for Intermediate and advanced level sewists.
For some fabric inspiration on this featured design, have a look at our blog post here.
Pattern hacks and Extension KiT options available for this design are listed in the drop down tabs towards the bottom of this webpage.
Each download is a bundle which includes 2 sizes of the pattern. Note the two sizes in each bundle are supplied as separate patterns / separate files (i.e the patterns are not nested together on the same file).
In cases where the sizes are marked with a hyphen (e.g size 6-8) this represent one single-size pattern. See the Sizing and Fit tab for more details of the final garment measurements for each size.
The shirt is a very relaxed oversize fit, cropped in length , with a very generous volume to the body, including a back pleat cut into one of the bow shapes. The shirt fastens with 5 buttons at the centre front with 2 buttons on each cuff
Size (UK) Hem Bust Length (CF)
6-8 131.5 cm 130.5 cm 45.5 cm
10 - 12 135 cm 134 cm 46.5 cm
14 - 16 139.5 cm 139 cm 47.5 cm
18 145 cm 144 cm 48 cm
20 150.5 cm 149.5 cm 48.5cm
22 156 cm 155 cm 49.5 cm
24 161 cm 161 cm 50 cm
Sizes shown are UK sizes. Please note measurements below are final garment measurements, not body size measurements
Don’t be put off if you think the pattern looks complex, the idea behind this shirt is actually a simple one - to assemble the patchwork in rows, and simply join the rows together. Using this method, the sleeves and body are assembled separately and then attached at the end.
Simplified construction details such as the sleeve/ cuff opening, back pleat and finishings of the hem and centre front are all cleverly cut into the patchwork design, to create clean and elevated design details.
The bow patchwork shirt is an exploration of the hybridisation of pattern cutting and textile design, which is at the core of what ROBERTS | WOOD does.
The pattern has been specifically developed to make use of smaller remnants and offcuts of fabric which you might have left over from other sewing projects, or possibly from other unused textiles or clothes.
The design will work best with medium to lightweight fabrics. Different textured fabrics can be especially effective to contrast the different patches and bring out the repeating bow design. The pattern is designed to be cut from either 3 different fabrics to create the bow patchwork effect. For the version shown we have used 3 different textures and weights from our old cutting-table offcuts - a monochromatic colour palette using cotton mousse, swiss dot cotton and a flower-embroidered cotton.
The pattern has been designed to be cut from remnants / offcuts, however if you wish to cut from regular lengths of fabric, the approximate fabric usage is listed below.
This ROBERTS | WOOD KiT project is provided as a PDF pattern with sewing instructions. It includes an A4 printable PDF pattern, which can be printed and assembled at home using any standard home printer. An A0 format pattern is also included should you wish to print it at a printers/print shop
Materials required: 3 different fabrics for patchwork, threads, 9 shirt buttons (or alternate fastenings of your choice such as press studs). Fusible interfacing is optional (if you choose to fuse collar, cuffs and / or centre front of the garment)
Equipment required: Paper scissors, sellotape (if printing A4 pattern), Iron , hand sewing needle, fabric scissors, measuring tape, pins, sewing machine with capabilities for button holes. If you want to use press studs / snaps instead of buttons, you will need to have pliers or other correct equipment necessary for attaching the press studs.
As with many ROBERTS | WOOD designs, this pattern is not a “traditional style” sewing pattern, and will differ from the construction stages of a traditional shirt pattern you may have come across before. However we have made the construction stages as simple and fun as possible, with full step by step instructions included, so don’t be put off if you haven’t made anything quite like this before!
Although this pattern is aimed at an Intermediate to advanced level sewist and assumes knowledge of basic sewing techniques and terminology, we think it could also be a fun practice project for a confident beginner with a few projects under their belt, who wants to learn new textile and sewing skills. A perfect project to undertake using fabric offcuts that are otherwise going to waste. The pattern also includes a step by step instruction booklet to enable you to learn how to make this piece.
We would recommend completing this project over several days as it is intended to be something you can take your time with and enjoy the making process, following our principals of ‘slow fashion’ and the joy of making. The patchwork itself is not complicated to make but requires time and patience to assemble - a little labour of love.
The Extension KiT pattern pieces to transform the shirt into the shirtdress are now included with your purchase
However if you purchased this pattern before September 2024, You can download the free shirtdress Extension KiT for the Bow Patchwork shirt here.
The Alternative Scalloped Collar is a free downloadable pdf containing a pattern and sewing instructions to replace the original collar and collar stand with an alternative oversized open scalloped collar design
The alterative scalloped collar for the bow patchwork shirt is now included with your purchase. However if you purchased this pattern before August 2023, You can download the PDF collar pattern and instruction file for free here.