All the FREE Children top patterns (unisex) my kids have tried and loved

I wrote this blog post in 2020 as a blog post for boy mums looking for boy patterns. But kids are kids and these top patterns could easily be made for little boys and little girls. So I'm changing it to just a list of children top patterns! 

And as part of this change, I am also splitting this post into 2 - one for free patterns that I have tried and loved and one for paid patterns WORTH buying. 

Excited? Read on! 

Reagan Raglan by Bella Sunshine Design

I've made so so many Reagan Raglans. It's a staple in my boy's wardrobe because it fits my slim boy very nicely (I do blend for this pattern, as i do for most patterns for this slim boy. if u have a slim kid like me, u may be interested in this pattern company that doesn't require blending for slim kids). I loved the cuffed sleeves, and the scoop neck is lovely. I also enjoy color blocking all his Reagan Raglans. A really great free pattern. 

It comes with different lengths so if u prefer a dress length version u can! 

How to get it: Subscribe to their free newsletter. (There's also the adult version for a matchy matchy top)

Additional info:

Fit: Slim fit
Sleeve options: Short & Long Raglan sleeves
Neckline: Scooped & V-neck
Sizes: 6 month to 12 years

Fabric requirement: 4-way or 2-way stretch knit fabric with at least a 50% stretch but no more than 75% stretch
Suggested fabrics: lightweight jerseys with good recovery

Format:  Layered A4/letter Trim and Trimless; projector file (new) . A0 available.

Kids Chill out tee by Rad Patterns

This is a great beginner pattern and the size chart is AMAZING. There's 3 different size charts for this pattern. the one for the newborns to toddlers - when u make a tee according to those measurements, u get a lovely relaxed fit - not oversized for safety. Then the older kids get looser fit to be similar to the adult free chill out tee (as seen in the photo above) And if ur kid is plus sized, there's the plus size chart so hopefully less blending is required for our bigger bundles of joy!! 

It goes up to 18+ then there's the adult chill out tee which continues to cover more sizes and is also free! It's a colorblocked tee so u can use up all the remnants at home too. So really good! You can get the code to get this one for free when you join their fb group - remember to use the code BEFORE you buy it!

Additional info:

Fit: Oversized, color blocked
Sleeve options: Short & elbow set-in sleeves
Neckline: Crew neck or v neck
Sizes: newborn-18mos, 2-18, and plus sizes 2+-18+

Fabric requirement: fabrics with at least 20% stretch across the grain
Suggested fabrics: Knit fabrics

Format: Layered ; projector file, A0.

Rowan Tee by Misusu Patterns

This is truly a lovely dolman pattern that is extremely quick to come together. And it is probably a great beginner pattern as well. It has a slightly oversized fit, with short or long dolman style sleeves. For a free pattern, it comes with several style options including a patch pocket, 2 necklines, an optional inside neck binding and 2 side seam finishes - which is truly lovely. I go to this pattern when i want a fast and furious top made. 

Additional info:

Fit: Slightly oversized, possible color blocking of sleeves
Sleeve options: short or long dolman
Neckline: Crew neck or scoop neck (scoop isn't very deep - my girl is wearing the lower neckline in the photo above)
Sizes: 62 - 164 | 0-3M - 13-14Y

Fabric requirement: Light to medium jersey knits with at least 25% stretch (lycra or elastane).
For neckband: Rib knit fabric or jersey lycra
Format: Tiled print at home pattern in layers (A4 & letter) - 21 pages, A0/Copyshop pattern in layers - 1 page, A0 projector file in layers

Ester & Ebbe top by Threads by Caroline

I made a matching set for my boy and girl with this pattern and they turned out really cute but I forgot to take better photos of them.. (oops!)

Edit: they added projector files! I made another top and added the photo here. They are one of the few free patterns that actually have projector files - a huge plus in my books. This is free with subscription to their newsletter. 

One thing to note about the sleeves - it is on the shorter side. Which meant that if u prefer longer sleeves then u may want to consider something different or alter it to be longer. It's also more slim fit if that is your preference! 

Additional Info:

Fit: Regular fit
Sleeve options: short or long set in sleeves
Neckline: Scoop neck
Sizes: 74-146 (approx. 6-9 months to 11 years)

Fabric requirement:  fabrics with at least 30% stretch 

Suggested fabrics: Knit fabrics such as jersey (cotton/lycra)

Format: Layered Trim; projector file (new), A1 

The following patterns are patterns I used a lot, back before I bought myself a projector for sewing. They do not have projector files nor do they have A0 files. As such, I have not used them in a while. (Projector sewing is so fast, I don't ever want to deal with paper again!) 

But I have tried them and they worked well so they are still listed here. If one day they get updated with projector file, I will be happy to use them again! 

Fried Pickle Tee by Meyraki Patterns

 

This is another staple pattern for us. I like using this to upcycle old shirts too (The yellow shirt is upcycled from his father's old t-shirt!) The Fried Pickle Tee is a loose fitting t-shirt which is really comfortable for everyday wear. The only caveat I have is that it doesn't have projector file or A0 file so there are paperwork to be done if you wish to use it - to be honest, I haven't used this since I started using projector for sewing. 

Still, if you are not using projector, then it's a very good beginner pattern and free with code from their facebook group. 

Fit: Loose fit
Sleeve options: Short & Long set-in sleeves
Neckline: Crew neck
Sizes: 2 years to 12 years

Fabric requirement: 30% stretch for the bodice and sleeves and 40-60% stretch for the bands.
Suggested fabrics: Most jersey, interlock, poly, cotton or rayon blends with Lycra

Format: Layered Trim; no projector file, no A0.

Safari Tank by Meyraki Patterns

This one's not really a t-shirt, but I am including it in the list because 1) it's perfect for Singapore's hot and humid weather and 2) It actually goes to 18 year old sizes which is lovely for a free pattern. I use this pattern mostly for PJs though I can see it working very well for tanks to do outdoor activities. 

Again, the issue is that there is no projector file and no AO. So I have not made this in a while now. That said, if you are printing it out, then why not give this one a go? 

Fit: Slim or Regular fit
Sleeve options: tank i.e. no sleeves
Neckline: Tank scoop neck
Sizes: 2 years to 18 years

Others: Regular, Banded, or Ruffle Hem
Fabric requirement: 30% stretch for the bodice and sleeves and 40-60% stretch for the bands. 

Suggested fabrics: Most jersey, interlock, poly, cotton or rayon blends with Lycra

Format: Layered Trim; no projector file, no A0.

Links here may be affiliate links - if you use them to make ur purchases, I may get a small aff from your purchase but it doesn't cost you anything extra.