“Much like a patchwork quilt, inspiration that stirs and motivates me is made of many things.”
– Robert Reynolds
Today’s Guest Post if from Jessica @ Desginers Sweet Spot…..
DIY Upcycled Thrifted Boho Women’s Top
I adore the patchwork look of upscale designer clothing. This sewing hack uses a couple of thrift-ed men’s dress shirts and some fabric scraps to bring new feminine style!
Men’s Dress Shirt Up-cycle
Hi I’m Jessica, and I blog at Designers Sweet Spot and Chambray Blues. Deborah and I are buddies and I am so grateful for this opportunity to post here! Up-cycle hacks are all over the internet, and some of my favorites use men’s dress shirts. They are inexpensive, plentiful, and come in lots of great fabrics. I have been keeping this one on hand for a project for some time, I loved the orange and blue plaid colors but it was just too unfeminine for me to wear without feeling awkward. It also didn’t fit very well around the middle, which is no surprise as this is my biggest fit problem!
My inspiration came from this shirt from Soft Surroundings. My former workplace, I always loved seeing how their designers put fabrics together in new ways. The feminine look of the back of this shirt was what I loved about it.
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You can easily make a men’s shirt into a feminine statement piece with these 7 steps. Here’s what you will need:
Supplies
- • 2 men’s cotton dress shirts with similar colors, works best of they are the same size (1 plaid, 1 stripe)
- •1/2 yard of contrasting floral fabric
- •Scissors
- •ruler and fabric marker
- •Sewing machine and matching thread
Directions
- Remove the shirt back by cutting 1/2″ away from the armhole, yoke and side seams. Leave seams intact.
2. Use the piece you just removed as a pattern for cutting the contrasting floral fabric, adding 1/2″ to the top and side seams. Cut floral hem slightly shorter than the original piece, at your natural waist.
3. Cut the second shirt, under the armholes, across the front button placket and remove the back.
4. Pin top edges of floral fabric to the seam allowance just under the yoke. Stitch in place making a 1/2″ seam.
5. Sew sides of floral fabric to the back armhole, underarm and side of shirt. Break stitches at top corner as you sew, clip fabric as needed to get a square seam at shoulder.
6. Sew top of stripe fabric to the floral fabric, putting the button down placket at center back as pictured above. Sew side seams and press.
7. Finish side seams of shirt tails with 1/4″ rolled hem.
Check out these others great posts from Jessica……
How to Make a Recycled Denim Ruffled Purse with Cricut and Simplicity
Make an Upcycled Denim Hat from Old Jeans
Easy to Make Scrappy Denim Skirt
What a neat idea!! It looks so comfy!
Sam – Raggedy Bits recently posted…How to Paint Thrifted Wooden Trays Farmhouse Style
Thank you Sam!
Boho is such a fun style and a great way to upcycle/reuse
This is such a great shirt. The little tail in the back is perfect. I love it.
Leanna, That is my fav part too
Such a clever upcycle for old shirts. Love it.
Denise, Right? I love a boho look too.
“Break stitches at top corner.” what does it mean to break stitches ??
Breaking stitches means to stop sewing, lift the needle and begin sewing again. In this case you would stop sewing at the corner, then lift the needle and begin stitching down the side. This give a little room for the fabric to sit flat and not buckle at the corner where the seems meet. Hope that helps!
I love sewibg and this is a great idea!
Hope you get a chance to make one Maria