Today we’re going to do another quick refashion project as I’m still on new baby mode. My husband was getting rid of a plaid button down shirt because it had a teeny tiny hole, so I swooped in and claimed it for myself. Today we’re going to do a his to hers shirt refashion project with it. I’ve been wanting to do this type of clothing refashion for a while and this was the perfect opportunity to give it a go. I’ll also patch up that little hole, but I won’t cover it here because I don’t think you need help in that department. 🙂

The skinny:

I’m still running on not very much sleep with my new little guy, so this shirt refashion is a nice little thing to do when you want to feel accomplished, but don’t have much time. But don’t worry.. I think I am back to sewing up pretty dresses from scratch after this!

Materials:

• a man’s button down shirt
• matching thread

Now onto my Shirt Refashion!

Instructions:

1.  Try on the button down shirt, making sure it’s buttoned up all the way. We’re going to edit the shirt under the arm and along the sides. I’m going to start with just one side and copy it on the other so that it matches.

Tighten up the shirt near the armpits to where you want it to be on you and pin it in place. Also pin it along the sides near your chest and waist.. wherever you want to take it in. You could make the shirt shorter, but I rather like the longer length. I’m also going to keep the final width near the bottom so it sort of flares out over my hips.

Do the same at points near the middle of your upper arm, your elbow, and the middle of your forearm. At this point, you can make your sleeve length shorter if you want. I’m tall and don’t really want to shorten the arm length.

Take the shirt off. Place pins in between all the points you laid, then cut off the excess fabric adding your desired seam allowance.

2. Do the same for the other side, cutting off the excess fabric. I used the piece I cut off the first side as the pattern for the opposite side.

3. Now, take out the pins, turn the shirt inside out, and repin along the seams. Sew with a loose stitch. Try it on and make any edits as needed.

4. Once you like it, do a nice, tight stitch along the seams and then do a zig zag stitch along the edges to prevent the material from fraying.

And we are done! That wasn’t such a difficult shirt refashion either, was it?