Ferrol Tie-Front Shirt
In this online sewing class, you’ll learn how to sew a tie-front shirt from a base pattern. It’s so easy!
Project preview
This video is for members
Join Lulu Ferris to watch the complete class and sew along at your own pace.
What you’ll make
The Ferrol is a tie-front shirt adapted from the Oporto dress pattern. The featured version has a gathered lower ruffle, three front ties, and sleeves gathered at the cap and elasticized hems.
The open front and adjustable details make this a flexible garment project for sewists with some experience making clothes.
What you’ll learn in this class
- Choose the Oporto pattern pieces needed for the shirt.
- Alter the sleeve pattern to add fullness at the cap and hem.
- Draft front facings from the base pattern and create the ties.
- Distribute gathers evenly when attaching the ruffle and sleeves.
- Finish the front edges with facings and the neckline with binding.
- Sew an elastic casing and test the sleeve opening before closing it.
Fabric and structure
Use a woven fabric. A fabric with some body gives the ties, ruffle, and gathered sleeves more structure, while a lighter woven creates a softer, more fluid silhouette.
Fine or easily distorted fabrics may benefit from interfacing in the facings and stabilization around the neckline and armhole curves.
Make it your own
- Keep the original Oporto sleeve, with or without its ruffle.
- Adjust the added sleeve fullness to change the gathers.
- Lengthen the lower ruffle or omit it for a jacket-like version.
- Use two, three, or four ties and vary their width, length, or end shape.
Make a test sleeve before cutting your final fabric if you change the amount of fullness.
Sizing and fit
The base pattern covers grouped sizes 34/36 through 54/56. Its body-measurement range is 82–130 cm at the bust, 66–114 cm at the waist, and 78–126 cm at the hips.
The Oporto body is roomy. The class suggests choosing a size smaller if you want a closer-fitting shirt.
The class uses the Oporto base pattern, supplied in A4 and A0 formats, with an information sheet covering sizing and pattern notes.
Pattern & materials
Patterns are included with membership
Active members can download every available PDF and materials list.