T-shirts

Upcycled Maxi, T-shirt & Micro Crochet

September 17, 2026 By Mary Peterson 4 Comments

I have been looking for a long, flowing, tiered maxi skirt for a while, but I didn’t like the prices or the prints. Enter this maxi dress. It wasn’t my size, but it had potential for a quick and easy upcycle.

The skirt just needed to be relieved of its bodice and paired with a decorated white T-shirt to create a coordinated outfit. Following is the tutorial for both.

Stay tuned until the end to see a preview of one of my new hobbies: Micro Crochet . I have been working on mastering it all summer and only recently have I been able to make wearable pieces. Before the end of the year, I will make a post detailing my journey with this new hobby and ways to incorporated it into the refashion process.

Before

After

Tutorial

**I used my trusty Gingher Scissors to remove the bodice. (I rarely unpick if I can cut)**
I leveled out the top tier at 9″ and overlocked the edges. I pinned and sewed 1″ inch to the
inside for the elastic waist

Gingher Scissors Link-I highly recommend these scissors. They are razor sharp and will last a lifetime. I have two pairs and they have been with me since college. Like all good scissors they need periodic sharpening. But they can and do last forever.

**Topstitch the waistband and add 3/4″ elastic**

**I grabbed a basic T from the closet. I chopped off the curve and made a 1″ hem across the bottom. A 1″ hem adds more weight and doesn’t roll.**

**I found the perfect piece of lace in my collection to add some interest to the basic V-neck**.

**The result was much more up to date and interesting**.

**MICRO CROCHET EARRINGS!**
I made these with a teeny tiny crochet hook and sewing thread. Stay tuned for more on this evolving skill.

Want to know more about micro crochet? Here is a link to the book I purchased: Micro Crochet

So everyone, what do you think of this latest remake? Talk to me! What is everyone working on and what would you like to see me do next? I am starting to get in the groove my new retired life and gradually picking up the pace on my posting. My closet full of things ready to transform!

Happy Refashioning!

T-Shirt Upcycle Pt 2 + Bonus Shirt

November 4, 2023 By Mary Peterson 6 Comments

Hello Everyone,

As promised, I have more t-shirt upcycling to share. This was just a basic T with a curved hem. I removed the sleeves and used the original hems to put on the new see through sleeves. This fabric was a nice see through chiffon with a random flower pattern. There was no way to match the sleeves so I just went with a random placement.

**White is really difficult to photograph but I think you get the picture.**

**I used the original hem from the t-shirt to give weight to the sleeve hem. There is edge stitching** **on the hem and the armhole**

Here is the woven version of this sleeve.
This was a man’s shirt and I added
the sleeves and cuffs.

**Here is a close-up of the work on the sleeve. I edgestitched the armhole to add detail and used leftover fabric from the sleeves to make the cuffs**

**Since my photographer (my youngest son) has moved out, I have to make due with selfies**🙂

I would love to hear what you think. Hope you are enjoying your November refashioning!

Much love to you all,

T-Shirt Makeover Part 1

October 22, 2023 By Mary Peterson 4 Comments

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to get back to you with something other than jacket makeovers for a change. I am a little late with this one since fall is upon us, but here we go…

Every summer I take a bunch of new basic T-shirts and jazz them up with a little something extra. I have 4 new ones to show you and here is the first. Recently, I came across a Zara T-shirt that had a gorgeous rose print, “BUT” the skull and the “Stay Weird,” comment had to go. I mean…that statement may be true, but those who know me love me for it, and it needs no advertisement.

Take a look at the before and after:

Take a closer look at how I did it:

I cut out all of the useful pieces and fused them onto the basic V-neck t-shirt. Then I went after the edges with some of my Boro style stitching with white embroidery floss. I love the Boro influence and it has kind of become a signature of my look.

I will show you the rest of my new looks over the next 2 weeks. I hope you enjoy this one. Be sure to let me know what you think of it, and I would love to hear what you are working on right now.

Talk to me!

Love ya!

Picture Perfect Inspiration T-Shirt

April 10, 2021 By Mary Peterson 24 Comments

Hello Everyone,

I hope you and your family are all remaining healthy and happy! I am grateful to be done with my second shot and very shortly being able to return to my campus to teach. Being as busy as I am, I haven’t been feeling all that inspired, but then I saw this picture:

The Inspiration

**I was obsessed! I had to have it**, **or something like it with the same general look.**

The Result

**Here is what I came up with and it all came from scraps!**

The resulting garment made me happy, although I did make some very conscious changes. I think you will be interested from an upcycling perspective why I made the choices the way I did:

Color: I loved the layout of the color blocking but the red, white, and blue was too “Tommy Hilfiger” for my taste. (BTW I have no idea who made the inspiration picture). Also, I had scrap jersey and some animal print left over from other projects. It all coordinated so I thought, “Why not?”

Fabric: I made a decision to use less of the animal print because it was not a woven fabric and a good deal lighter than the the jersey. It was opaque, so I knew it would not be see through, but using too much would draw attention to the difference in the textures.

Pattern: I used a basic T-shirt pattern that I created by taking apart a well loved t-shirt that had seen better days! For people who don’t know how to make patterns, I recommend this all of the time. When you love a garment but it’s time in your closet is over, take it apart and make it a pattern! I did have to use my draping skills and a ruler to create the new front sections, but that was just a blur to me, so I apologize for not documenting it with pictures.

Sleeve stripes: In order to eliminate bulk I decided to make strips, overlock the edges, and sew them flat.

Neckline: I am a fan of using bias tape on necklines whenever I can. Ribbed necklines wear out too easily and can make a garment look shabby. I also feel that it makes the garment look more expensive.

Well there it is in black, brown, white, and animal print! I hope you like it and can’t wait to hear what you think. Until then, be safe and HAPPY REFASHIONING!!!

Men’s Refashions-Part 2

August 31, 2019 By Mary Peterson 6 Comments

Hello Everyone!

Do you remember this little refashion? It was my son’s idea from about a year ago. It received the most comments I have ever had at one time. Well, we have been busy saving a few more of his favorite T’s and I have a couple of new refashions to show you.

**My son even did some of the sewing when we put the front of his favorite T-shirt on the back of his jean jacket**.

Refashion #1

Well, we have been busy saving two more of his favorite T’s that have seen better days. The sweatshirt below was one from his closet. We took his favorite camo t-shirt, (that had sadly developed holes under the arms) and made trim for the hood. We also used it to cover up the existing pocket to compliment trim.

**I also added some toggles on the drawstring to add a little more interest**.

Refashion #2

Tyler’s older brother bought him a Guinness t-shirt straight from Ireland! Sadly the shirt shrunk up too much too fit! He decided to use a black tank top that we found for about $2.50 (brand new tags still on it) and add the front of the old t-shirt as a decorative panel. He overlocked and topstitched this one himself. I am one proud mama that he has no fear to try new things! (He hates modeling though, can you tell?)

**The panel was cut, overlocked, and topstitched down. We also put a light fusing on the back of the panel to keep it from gapping**

That is it for right now, I still have many more things in store. Stay tuned don’t forget to sign up for automatic updates with your email! I would love to hear your thoughts on these refashions. Do you refashion for the men in your life?

Love to you all, and happy refashioning…