Free Shrug Pattern – Sew A So Simple Shrug

Free sewing pattern for an easy shrug. 1 pattern piece, 3 seams and its done!

The free sewing pattern for October is the Sew A So Simple Shrug – try saying that quickly!  It's a bit of a tongue-twister.  But honestly, that's the most difficult part right there.

The free shrug pattern looks pretty funky when you look at the pattern.  It's just one piece and hard to make out what it's going to become.  But the sewing is really quick and easy and you'll be carrying this one around with you as Winter returns. (Not too soon I hope…)

Free sewing pattern for an easy shrug. 1 pattern piece, 3 seams and its done!

You will need

  • Stretch knit fabric – 1 yard of 58 inch wide.  (The largest 2 sizes will need just a few inches over 1 yard.) More needed for pattern matching.
  • Thread to match
  • Pattern download

How To Download

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Free sewing pattern for an easy shrug. 1 pattern piece, 3 seams and its done!

To Sew your Free Shrug Pattern

It will take me longer to write about how to sew this pattern than it will to actually sew it.  There are 3 seams, and you're done.

Free Simple Shrug Pattern. Just one pattern piece - this is genius!

Firstly, check out your fabric and see which way it stretches.  There is a line on the pattern piece which represents the direction of the greatest stretch.  If the fabric stretches equally on both directions, then it doesn't really matter, but if it stretches one way more than the other, make sure you lay out the pattern piece so that the line on the pattern follows the direction of the greatest stretch.

Free Simple Shrug Pattern. Just one pattern piece - this is genius!

Cut out two pieces.  Place them right sides together and match up the center back seam.  Pin and stitch with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Now lay out the piece with the right sides up like this.

Free Simple Shrug Pattern. Just one pattern piece - this is genius!

Take the top and fold it down to the bottom, so that you line up those side seams, the under arm point and the sleeves.  Pin and then stitch with a 1/4 inch seam, pivoting at the corner under the arm.

Free Simple Shrug Pattern. Just one pattern piece - this is genius!

Snip into that corner close to the stitching.

Free Simple Shrug Pattern. Just one pattern piece - this is genius!

Repeat for the other side and then try on the top and check for fit.  It's easy to adjust down the center back seam, or make the sleeves a little closer fitting if you like.  The fit all depends on how much stretch you have in your chosen fabric.

At this point, if it fits, you are done.  If you like, you can hem the sleeves and the edges of the jacket, but seeing its a knit fabric, those edges probably won't fray anyway.  If it starts to look not so great after a few washes, you can always choose to hem it then.

Free Simple Shrug Pattern. Just one pattern piece - this is genius!

I left my edges unfinished around the neck and bottom, left my sleeves a little long and added a cute lettuce leaf hem to the bottom.  I'm thinking of doing the same around the neckline, but not sure – what do you think?

Free sewing pattern for an easy shrug. 1 pattern piece, 3 seams and its done!


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Jen
Jen

Has anyone made this with short sleeves? how does it look?

Veerle
Veerle

I would love to start this project, but I’m still waiting for my fabric to arrive. I have an important question though, how do I know what measure I must take? I cannot find it anywhere.
Thank you very much for helping me out!

Kathy
Kathy

How much fabric does this pattern require?

Susan V Indy
Susan V Indy
Reply to  Kathy

It says one yard of 58” wide fabric for most sizes, but a few inches more than a yard for the larger size range.

karen boss
karen boss

Thank you. I love how mine came out