Scout Tee Sew-Along

Sew the Scout Tee with confidence using our detailed tutorial series! One of our most popular patterns since 2011, this woven tee is fitted at the shoulders and relaxed into an A-line shape below the bust — comfortable, versatile, and endlessly wearable. We'll guide you through fabric selection, sizing and fit adjustments, bias facing, and setting sleeves. The original cap sleeve is included in the Scout pattern, with four additional sleeve options available through the Scout Sleeve Variation Pack.

Lesson 1

Introduction, Supplies, and Fabric

Woman beside the Scout Tee pattern envelope showing front and back technical sketches on an orange background.

Start your Farrow Dress journey with ready-to-wear inspiration! We explore styling possibilities from classic black and white sophistication to playful pastel prints, plus fabric weight options ranging from structured wool to flowing silk that transform the A-line silhouette.

Get Started

Lesson 2

Choosing a Size & Pattern Adjustments

Woman beside a filled-in Grainline Studio pattern card showing Scout Tee measurements and two fabric swatches.

The Scout fits a range of body types across two size ranges, and this lesson sets you up for success before you cut a single piece. We'll cover how to take your measurements, select and blend sizes, adjust the length, and fit the bust.

Taking Your Measurements & Selecting a Size

The Scout's A-line shape means the bust is often the most important measurement to start with, but waist and hip matter too. This section covers which measurements to take, how to read the size chart, and what to do when your measurements land in different sizes.

Blending Between Sizes

When your measurements fall across more than one size blending between sizes may be the solution. This section looks at which seams to blend on and how to draw a smooth transition so the finished tee follows your shape.

Length Adjustments

The Scout can be lengthened or shortened through both the body and the sleeves. This section covers where the adjustment lines are on each of the five sleeve options and how to make changes that carry through consistently across your pattern pieces.

Bust Adjustments

The 0–18 size range is drafted for a B cup and the 14–32 for a D cup, so if your cup size differs, a bust adjustment can help fine-tune the fit. This section covers the full bust adjustment and the small bust adjustment for each size range.

Find Your Fit

Lesson 3

Cutting Your Fabric

Woman holding up cut Scout Tee front and back pieces in black and white polka dot fabric beside a flat lay of the same pieces.

The first step to a successful project is making sure you have everything you need from start to finish. From pattern and fabric to interfacing and notions, this comprehensive list ensures you're ready before you start sewing. Being prepared makes the whole process more enjoyable.

Start Cutting

Grab the Scout Tee Pattern

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Lesson 4

Assembling the Body

Woman holding up cut Scout Tee front and back pieces in black and white polka dot fabric beside a flat lay of the same pieces.

With your fabric cut and marked, it's time to start sewing. This lesson walks through sewing the bust dart for the 14–30 size range, then joins the front and back at the side seams and shoulders. You'll also learn how to chain seams for efficiency and press each seam allowance into place.

Start Sewing

Lesson 5

Neckline Bias Facing & Hemming

Woman beside a sleeveless Scout Tee body in black and white polka dot fabric laid flat, showing the finished neckline and hem.

Ready to finish the neckline? This lesson covers the full bias facing process — joining, quartering, attaching, grading, clipping, understitching, and stitching the free folded edge — so the seam line rolls cleanly to the inside. Then we'll press and stitch a double-fold hem on the body.

Finish the Neckline

Lesson 6

Sewing and Setting the Sleeves

Woman beside a nearly complete Scout Tee in black and white polka dot fabric on an ironing board, sleeve being pressed flat.

The cap sleeve, short sleeve, and long sleeve all follow the same construction method — sew the underarm seam, finish the edge, and hem. Then learn how to set a sleeve: basting the sleeve cap, pinning with notches, easing for a smooth result, and finishing the armhole seam allowance.

Set the Sleeves

Lesson 7

Sewing the Petal Sleeve

Woman holding a pink Scout Tee on a hanger beside a close-up of the overlapping rust-colored petal sleeve pieces pinned flat.

The petal sleeve from the Scout Sleeve Variation Pack is the most distinctive of the four add-on options. Two separate pieces overlap at the sleeve cap to create the finished shape. We'll walk through the underarm seam, hemming the curved edge, and anchoring the overlap before setting the sleeve.

Sew the Petal Sleeve

Lesson 8

Sewing the Cuffed Sleeve

Woman in a polka dot Scout Tee beside the flat cuffed sleeve pattern piece from the Scout Sleeve Variation Pack on a wood surface.

The cuffed sleeve is cleverly constructed — finished on both sides and built to stay folded. Pre-pressing the fold lines is the key to getting it right. We'll walk through each fold, sew the underarm seam, stitch the free folded edge to anchor the cuff, and finish with a stitch in the ditch at the underarm.

Sew the Cuffed Sleeve

Extras

  • Scout Tee with gathered yoke modification in pink and red striped woven fabric with visible floats on a wooden hanger.

    Gathered Yoke Scout

    This modification adds a front yoke just above the bust, creating a gathered, slightly voluminous bodice. The post walks through drafting the yoke, calculating gather ratio, and assembling the new front piece, with plenty of room to experiment with fabric placement, color-blocking, or contrast.

    View the Tutorial 
  • Back view of a Scout Tee with tulip split back modification in dusty rose linen, styled with jeans.

    Split Back Scout

    This modification creates a tulip-style split at the back by cutting two mirrored back pieces that overlap at the center. The post covers drafting the new back piece, basting the overlap, and finishing the hem with a bias facing rather than a traditional double-fold hem.

    View the Tutorial 
  • Two views of a Scout Tee with petal sleeves trimmed in black pom-pom fringe, sewn in yellow and white tropical print fabric.

    Pom Pom Trimmed Scout

    The petal sleeve gets a playful upgrade with the addition of pom-pom trim. This post shows how to position and attach the trim to the curved hem before setting the sleeve into the armhole, with notes on where to stop the trim to avoid bulk at the overlap.

    View the Tutorial 
  • Diagram of the Madewell Scout Tee sleeve pattern modification showing fold lines, new sleeve length, hem, and hem allowance markings.

    Madewell Scout: Pattern Tutorial

    This two-part series starts with the pattern adjustments needed to create a Madewell-inspired variation of the Scout. This first post covers lengthening the sleeve and drafting a cuff, raising and reshaping the neckline, adding a center front opening, and curving the hem on both front and back.

    View the Tutorial 
  • Close-up of a Scout Tee in denim with a V-neck opening and folded cuff sleeve, worn with a gold anchor necklace against a brick wall.

    Madewell Scout: Sewing Tutorial

    The second part of this two-part series covers the sewing construction for the Madewell-inspired Scout variation. Topics include faux flat felled seams, finishing the center front V opening with bias binding, and constructing the folded cuff so it stays in place without visible stitching on the outside.

    View the Tutorial 
  • Side view of a Scout Tee with full back pattern hack in red wool, showing the flared swing silhouette on a city street.

    Full Back Scout

    This pattern tutorial uses a slash and spread technique to add fullness to the Scout's back piece, creating a subtle swing silhouette. The post walks through dividing and spreading the back pattern, then reblending the armhole and hem for a smooth result.

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  • Woman wearing a Scout Tee sewn in heathered gray knit fabric with a scoop neckline and cap sleeves, styled with black pants.

    Using Knits for the Scout Tee

    Yes, you can sew the Scout in knits, and it only takes a few construction changes. This tutorial covers layout differences, setting sleeves, and finishing the neckline with a crossgrain neckband instead of bias facing, with instructions for both a serger and a regular sewing machine.

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