Creative Ways to Hack the Shirt No. 1 Pattern

When we put together our Stonemountain Spotlight on yarn-dyed fabrics, we noticed that several of our staff sewists decided to use the Shirt No. 1 pattern, applying clever pattern hacks to transform the simple pattern into something truly their own! From small aesthetic adjustments to making this basic shirt into a completely different garment, we are super inspired by our coworkers’ sewing, and we think you will be, too!

100 Acts of Sewing’s Shirt No. 1 is our go-to, first garment-sewing project! If you’re new to sewing, making this garment is a great way to build some skills and get used to reading a sewing pattern. If you’re a more advanced sewist, it’s a wonderful opportunity to experiment with pattern hacking. Yarn-dyed fabrics are a perfect fabric for a pattern like Shirt No. 1—the fabric itself is stable and easy to sew, while its gorgeous color combinations, textures, and patterns add lots of visual interest to this simple garment. 

Curious about how our staff sewists created their takes on Shirt No. 1? We’ve got so much to tell you! Rebecca used helpful tutorials from the 100 Acts of Sewing website to transform her Shirt No. 1 into a button-up and make her Pants No. 1 shorts with a higher rise. Kristen created a few yards of bias tape using a 1/4-inch bias tape maker, attaching it to the shirt pieces before constructing the garment. Inspired by The Act of Sewing by 100 Acts of Sewing designer Sonya Philip, Jenny dressed up her Shirt No. 1, adding a contrasting yoke and a long, gathered skirt. Olivia’s Shirt No. 1 is color-blocked and cropped, and she added a color-blocked ruffle, just for fun!

1. Rebecca’s Shirt No. 1 and Pants No. 1 shorts set features Fableism – Checkmate Checkers – Yarn Dyed Cotton – Checkers – Ebony
2. Kristen’s Shirt No. 1 features Fableism – Checkmate Checkers – Yarn Dyed Cotton – Checkers – Phoenix
3. Jenny’s Shirt No. 1 dress features Fableism – Golden Hour – Yarn Dyed Cotton – Deco Stripe – Umber
4. Olivia’s Shirt No. 1 features Organic Cotton Double Gauze – Yarn Dyed Gingham – Natural/Fawn and Organic Cotton Double Gauze – Yarn Dyed Gingham – Fawn/Espresso

Ruby shortened the sleeve of her Shirt No. 1 and added a band to the edge, creating a bit of structure—we love the result in this crisp cotton shirting! Amy made a few adjustments to the pattern: lengthening it into an A-line dress, narrowing the neck opening, and carefully hand-stitching patch pockets to achieve perfectly-matched plaid. Priya sewed a matching set of a button-up Shirt No. 1 and Pants No. 1 shorts in cotton double gauze, for the dreamiest summer pajamas. 

1. Ruby’s Shirt No. 1 features LA Designer Deadstock – Yarn Dyed Cotton Shirting – Small Check – Red/White
2. Amy’s Shirt No. 1 dress features Fableism – Arcade Plaid Woven – Yarn Dyed Cotton – Midnight
3. Priya’s Shirt No. 1 and Pants No. 1 shorts set features Organic Cotton Double Gauze – Yarn Dyed Gingham – Dark Brown

We’re sew inspired by these amazing Spotlight garments and the creativity of our staff sewists! We hope you’ve enjoyed reading a little more about these garments, and that you’re inspired to sew something to wear this spring and summer. Have you made a Shirt No. 1 that you’re especially proud of? We’d love to see it! Email us at info@stonemountainfabric.com to share! 

There is something so inspiring about seeing how one simple sewing pattern can become a canvas for creativity. The 100 Acts of Sewing Shirt No. 1 pattern continues to be one of our favorite beginner sewing patterns because it is approachable, versatile, and endlessly customizable. Whether you are new to garment sewing or an experienced sewist looking for your next pattern hack, Shirt No. 1 offers so many opportunities to experiment with fit, details, texture, and personal style. From cropped tops to dresses, button-ups to color blocking, the possibilities truly feel endless.

We especially love seeing how beautifully Shirt No. 1 pairs with yarn-dyed fabrics. Cotton shirtings, linen blends, double gauze, lightweight plaids, stripes, and textured wovens all bring something special to this easy-to-sew garment. Yarn-dyed fabrics are not only beginner friendly and stable for sewing, but they also highlight thoughtful details like patch pockets, bias trim, gathers, yokes, and contrast panels. If you’ve been searching for sewing patterns for woven fabrics or easy sewing projects for spring and summer wardrobes, this combination is one we cannot recommend enough.

At Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics, we are endlessly inspired by the creativity of our sewing community and staff makers. Watching a simple handmade shirt pattern evolve into something completely unique reminds us that sewing is so much more than following instructions, it is about making something deeply personal. A favorite sewing pattern can become a wardrobe staple, a creative experiment, or even a launching point for building confidence in garment sewing.

We hope this Spotlight has sparked ideas for your own sewing projects and inspired you to try a pattern hack or finally sew up that Shirt No. 1 pattern waiting in your stash. Whether you are dreaming up handmade summer clothing, experimenting with yarn-dyed cotton fabrics, or sewing your very first garment, we would love to see what you create. Stop by the shop or explore online for garment sewing fabrics, indie sewing patterns, and inspiration for your next me-made favorite!

Thank you and Happy Sewing!