Ready to level up your sewing skills? If you’ve mastered the basics and want to sew a beautifully constructed shirt or shirt dress, Rosa is a satisfying project that blends classic shirtmaking techniques with wearable, everyday style.
Designed with shaping and structure in mind, Rosa features princess seams, a distinctive pointed yoke, and thoughtful finishing details that give your handmade garment a professional look – inside and out.
Make it as a semi-fitted shirt to wear with jeans, or sew the shirt dress version for an effortless wardrobe staple you’ll reach for again and again.
Why you’ll love the Rosa sewing pattern
Rosa combines timeless design with satisfying construction techniques. It’s ideal for confident beginners and intermediate sewists who want to build their skills while making something truly wearable.
Here’s what makes it special:
- Princess seams on the front and back for gentle shaping
- A striking pointed back yoke
- Separate button stand facing – perfect for contrast fabric
- Three-quarter sleeves with turn-up cuffs and narrow tabs
- Choice of shirt or shirt dress
- Optional pointed patch pockets
- Mock felled seams for a neat, durable finish
Whether you choose classic denim with contrast topstitching or a soft drapey viscose for a more fluid silhouette, Rosa works beautifully across a range of woven fabrics.
Learn shirtmaking step by step
Want extra guidance? The Sew a Fitted Shirt or Shirt Dress online workshop takes you through every stage of making Rosa with clear, structured video lessons.
This course is perfect if you:
- Have never sewn a shirt before
- Want help mastering collars and buttonholes
- Prefer learning visually at your own pace
Inside the workshop, you’ll learn how to:
- Construct a neat two-piece collar
- Create a sharp pointed yoke
- Insert sleeves using the flat method
- Sew buttonholes with confidence
- Finish seams with mock felled construction
- Achieve tidy, professional topstitching
Pattern formats & sizing
The Rosa sewing pattern is available in one format:
- PDF pattern – Instant download to print at home (A4/Letter) or at a copyshop (A0).
The pattern comes in sizes UK 6-20 / US 2-16 / EUR 34-48 / AUS 6-20. A detailed sizing chart is provided on the product page.
What fabric should you use for Rosa?
Rosa is designed for light- to medium-weight woven fabrics. Great options include:
- Cotton lawn or shirting
- Chambray
- Lightweight denim
- Linen and linen blends
- Double gauze
- Viscose (rayon) and blends
- Fine needlecord
For a classic shirt dress, try denim with contrast topstitching. For a softer, more fluid look, choose viscose or lightweight lawn. The design details really shine when you play with texture, colour and contrast.
You’ll also need matching thread, buttons for the front opening, and lightweight fusible interfacing for stabilising the collar and facing.
Check the full fabric requirements on the pattern page before you begin.
Show us your Rosa makes!
There’s nothing better than seeing your handmade shirts and shirt dresses out in the world. Share your creations on Instagram using the hashtag #SewingRosa and tag @TillyButtons so we can admire your work.
Photographer: Fanni Williams
Hair and make up: Katie for Natalie Guest
Model: Rosabella Riddington
Fabric: light denim c/o Fabrics Galore / Ciara B cotton lawn c/o Liberty (used on inner collar stand and button stand facing - now sold out) / flamingo viscose from Dragonfly Fabrics (now sold out)
Shoes & accessories: model's own (I've always wanted to write that!)
Hair and make up: Katie for Natalie Guest
Model: Rosabella Riddington
Fabric: light denim c/o Fabrics Galore / Ciara B cotton lawn c/o Liberty (used on inner collar stand and button stand facing - now sold out) / flamingo viscose from Dragonfly Fabrics (now sold out)
Shoes & accessories: model's own (I've always wanted to write that!)
