212 Five Frontier Shirts

Misses 8-16; Men's 36-46

Here is a sewing pattern for five shirts worn in the 19th century. Choose one of these traditional Western shirts for the cowboy or cowgirl in you, and sew up the five different variations for every day of the week: lace-front, square bib, shaped bib, contrast yoke, and traditional bull's-head yoke. Pattern includes historical information and instructions for piped trim and "smile" pockets.

Views A, B, and C are traditional 19th century loose fitting shirts, in men's sizes 36-46.  All views have a pointed collar, shaped back yoke, long sleeves with shaped cuffs, and a shirt tail hem.  View A is simple to sew, with a slashed front opening, that laces up.  View B adds a removable button front bib, designed for protection from steer's horns or the cold.  View C was worn by firefighters, with a bib shaped in their traditional emblem.

Contemporary western shirts such as Views D and E (sized for men and women) are narrower, featuring decorative yokes.  Both finish with "smile" pockets and piping trim.  View D has designer's original bull's head yoke and decorative sleeve plackets.  View E has a simple curved yoke.

Suggested fabrics: Light to medium-weight fabrics such as chambray, cotton, silks, calico, corduroy, flannel, denim, wool.

Yardage chart (.pdf)

This is the paper pattern.  For the PDF pattern go here. 

LEARN MORE: 

• NOTE:  If you are making the Men's View D shirt, note that on the tissue pattern piece S Shoulder Yoke, it says to "Cut 2 on fold." This is incorrect. You only need to Cut 1 on Fold. Note that both the Cutting Layouts and the Women's tissue pattern piece S are correct.
• How to sew the sleeve placket