Pattern Review: Classic Oxford Button-Up Shirt by Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop

Back-to-school shopping this week got me thinking about my son starting second grade next week. I honestly cannot believe how big he is getting!

Like a lot of seven-year-olds, he is absolutely obsessed with Mario. So I decided to sew him a new button-up shirt for the first week of school using some Mario-themed cotton. A special handmade shirt felt like the perfect way to give him a little extra confidence as he heads into a new school year. I had some fabric left over, so I'm planning to make him a matching face mask too.

Pattern Details at a Glance

Pattern: Classic Oxford Button-Up Shirt from Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop

Sizes: 3 months to 12 years

Options: Short sleeves, long sleeves, or convertible sleeves with button tabs

Difficulty: Intermediate

Time to Sew: About 3 hours

Format: PDF (standard 8.5"x11") instant download, plus A0 print shop copy

What You'll Need

• 1.5 yards of cotton fabric (flannel or any soft woven fabric works too)

• Lightweight interfacing for the collar and button placket

• 8 small buttons

• Universal 80/12 needle

My Honest Review

The shirt turned out really well! I made the short-sleeve version and left off the optional pocket, which made the sew a bit more straightforward. Even so, I rated this pattern intermediate because the collar, placket, and curved hemline would be challenging for a beginner to work through. These aren't impossible steps by any means, but they do require some patience and careful following of the instructions.

Fortunately, Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop is known for their detailed picture instructions, and this pattern is no exception. The step-by-step photos make it much easier to understand each stage of the construction. It's one of the main reasons I keep coming back to this pattern company.

Sizing note: I made a size 7, and it came out slightly big on my son, who typically wears a 6/7 in store-bought clothes. I'd suggest sizing to whatever your child currently wears in regular clothing rather than sizing up.

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I will definitely be making this one again. It's a great pattern for a special occasion shirt or a fun back-to-school project!

Have you tried the Classic Oxford Button-Up Shirt pattern? Leave a picture in the comments below, I'd love to see what fabric you chose!

Related reading: 5 Reasons Every Sewist Should Try PDF Patterns