Button-Up Shirts – Butterick B6852

Hello, Snazzie People!

I want to share a couple of button-up shirts I finished.

Butterick B6852 is a classic style fitted button-up shirt with front, back and bust darts. You can make it a regular length and a tunic length. It also has long and short sleeves and optional pockets. You can cut the plackets, yoke, and sleeve cuffs on the grain or on the bias, and the pockets can be on the grain, bias, or cross grain, giving you some great style opportunities with stripes and plaids. Though, technically you could do all this with any pattern but if you are a novice sewist and not as adventurous it’s nice that this pattern shows you what you can do.

I made a long-sleeved version without pockets in a green sateen from Cali Fabrics for my fall 2024 wardrobe, and I am using it in my winter 2025 wardrobe. The green shirt gave me some issues, or rather, I gave myself some issues when I got lazy and instead of pulling out my buttonhole cutter, I decided to cut the buttonholes with a seam ripper, and I sliced right through the buttonhole stitches and beyond.

I had to unpick the buttonhole placket and make a new one. I had also sewed the sleeves together incorrectly and didn’t notice until after I sewed French seams and had to cut new sleeves. I managed to cut the new placket from one of the ruined sleeves. These are the times when I’m glad I bought too much fabric.

The only thing I don’t like about the green shirt is the length. I made it with the intention of tucking it in and if I’m wearing a lower rise pant it feels like it’s about to become untucked. I decided that I would add an inch the next time I made one. I also forgot to mention that I did add ½” to the sleeve length. This is a common adjustment for me.

For my second B6852 shirt, I used this blue, gray, and white striped shirting fabric from Cali Fabrics. It’s a little sheer, but it barely wrinkles, so I am happy to simply wear a layering tank under it.

I did lengthen the bodice by an inch, and I’m happy with that length. I feel like the shirt will stay tucked in no matter what type of pants I wear.

I made this one with pockets cut on the cross-grain, and the placket, cuffs, and yoke are all cut on the bias for some extra design detail. I really like the way it turned out. It’s a nice twist on a classic button-up shirt.

I plan to make this pattern again. The short-sleeved version will probably be used for some summer work-friendly shirts.

What’s your favorite shirt pattern?

Happy Sewing,

Kelly