Another Flannel Shirt – Simplicity S1538

This flannel shirt was made as part of my winter 2025 wardrobe. I wanted a casual layering top. What Gen Xer doesn’t like flannel? Did you hear that 90’s fashion, including flannels, is making a comeback? I know my husband, with his large flannel collection, will be very stylish for about 5 minutes.

I used Simplicity S1538 to make this flannel. This is the same pattern I used to make another flannel and two chambray shirts for my fall 2024 wardrobe. You can read my review about it here: Simplicity S1538 Shirt Pattern Review.

I got the fabric from Joann. I was originally going to get an Eddie Bauer flannel in purple but this fabric was right next to it, and I thought the berry color in the plaid better matched the plum color I was going for. It was also softer and cheaper – bonus!

This fabric was not fun to work with! I, of course, washed it before I cut it out, and it was so distorted that I had a hard time laying the pattern pieces out on the grain and matching plaids. Imagine if I had waited until after I made it to wash the fabric; the fit would be awful! By the time I got cutting out the sleeves, I had nearly given up on matching. I was able to match the sleeves to each other, but I would have liked to do a better job of matching some of the lines to the bodice. The plackets and shirt cuffs were a complete mess.

At this point, I didn’t care. I wouldn’t be wearing this shirt out in public, and I kept reminding myself that it was probably still better made than something I would have bought at some stores.

The result is a soft, comfortable shirt that I wear at least once a week. I barely notice the mismatching. I do still want to make something with the Eddie Bauer flannel.

I haven’t tried any of the Eddie Bauer fabrics at Joann. Have you? If so, what are your thoughts?