Hi Everyone!
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Spring Break is finally here and that means I have more time to sew! This refashion is just a basic among all of the tropical print shirts I purchased last week, but it was the first one to call my name from the pile. Despite my love for all things fashion, I am still very practical and this shirt appealed to that side of me. It is made of a great linen look fabric with a vintage appearance. The background is light yellow even though it appears tan in the picture.
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Before:
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After:
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It might not look like I did much here but there was a lot of work that had to go into this top to make it more feminine and wearable.
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Following is the tutorial:
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Step 1) Cut off the sleeves and make a 1/2 inch dart on the shoulder. This will help cut down the size of the armhole.
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Step 2) Edgestitch dart in place
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Step 3) Cut the flat fell seams out of the side seams and pin the side seams to fit. Sew side seams together leaving a 5 inch opening on each side for side openings.(See Below)
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Step 4) Next, I created an armhole gusset. This process is individual to each shirt that I make. I drape the gusset on one side, then duplicate it for the other side. Once pinned in place, edgestitch them down.
Step 5) Cut the new sleeves from the old ones. After that, fit them into the new armholes and sew.
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Step 6) Turn under the front hem to make it straight. Then cut the excess off to make a straight hem across the front. Overlock and 1/4 inch topstitch (see below.)
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Step 7) The last step was to edgstitch down the back pleat to the waistline. It is hard to see but this step helps take the bulk out of the upper back.
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Here is a close-up picture of the front:
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and the back:
Love it! Old man shirt to hot mama fashionista!
Hi Bethie!
Thank you so much! It was fun to make and looks so much cuter in person. I really will be wearing it all summer.
Wow! You make it look so simple. Love it.
Hi Joanne,
It is easier now that I have done it a time or two. The gusset thing is a must unless I am working with a XXL, otherwise it is just a matter of fitting and how to soften it up!
Looks like you’re ready for summer now!
Hi Beth! I am… it really is cuter in person. It is going to be such a cute summer basic.
The shirt looks great, love the print. The gusset technique is a great way to get a better fit in the armscye area, I’m definately going to put that into practice, when I cut down my next shirt.
Hi Denise!
Almost every shirt that I cut down will need a gusset unless I am working with an XXL. I lay the garment flat and shape it around the armhole. Then I use it as a pattern for the other side. I topstitch them down instead of sewing a seam. It would be too hard to make them even otherwise.
Thanks again for stopping by! 🙂
I would love to spend a day with you just to watch you work! When you show how you’ve done different things all I can think is why can’t I think like that. Please keep showing us how you do it. I am always amazed.
Hi Carol,
What a lovely compliment! The truth is I would probably drive you crazy. I am a multi-tasker to the max. I mix sewing in with every other household and work chore that I have. It is rare that I work on 1 project from start to finish. If I have a clear picture in my mind about the path to take with a garment, I will work on it. If I run into trouble, I will put it down and work on something else until I figure out the problem in my head. I often have 4 or 5 projects going at one time. Eventually, one gets finished! 🙂 Can you follow this? LOL! Sometimes I have problems following myself… 🙂
Have a good one!
I wish my knees were as pretty as yours 🙂
Hi Annikins,
Seriously? LOL!
I so agree with Carol – I love to see how you solve fitting problems. I have fitting issues in my upper back area because I am short-waisted; knit tops conform better to my shape but I like the look of a dressier woven fabric. You have added to my list of ways to take up that extra fabric – thank you.
Your top is such an attractive print – it just says “summer”!
Thank you so much Jo!
I find almost every project has it’s own unique fit challenges. I like the print too. It was too cute for a man’s shirt and so denim friendly. 🙂
I love the idea of the ‘tropical shirt refashion’, but haven’t found any in our thrift stores yet. How exactly do you do the arm/sleeve gusset? Do you just add a piece of fabric in and then cut the sleeve down to fit the arm opening with the gusset sewn in? Sorry-I need people to talk to me like I am 4 so I can visualize what you are doing 🙂
Hang in there Tami, Do you live in a warm climate? I do so Hawaiian shirts are plentiful here.
The gusset is unique to each shirt. Once the side seams have been sewn, I size up the missing area and cut, press, and fold until I come up with a piece that fits. I then recreate it for the other side, pin them in, and edge stitch down. Next time I do one I will take better pictures of each step.
Thanks so much for this tutorial and the lesson about the dart to make the sleeve smaller and the gusset. I found a shirt to make smaller today and can’t wait to get started!
Hi Georgia!
You go girl! Send me a picture when your are done!
Wow , really cute. You must have some great thrift stores near you. I would love to see you do one even more girly, with waist darts a la peplum and maybe pretty buttons – please.
Hi Maureen!
Thanks for stopping by. Not to worry! I have plenty of girly stuff coming up!
Mary, great job! I wish I had seen this before I went to Florence, OR and saw a men’s shirt, similar to this one, and didn’t get it because of size! I have just found your website and a few others and now all I want to do is thrift and re-create! Thank you!
Hi Laurie,
Fun isn’t it? It is an addicting but useful and money saving hobby. Stay tuned for more. 🙂
I love the shoulder dart and the underarm gusset!!! These ideas are definitely going to be put to use by me. I just love your blog!
Hey Anna! SO happy I have another follower!!!
Stay tuned for more!!! 🙂
My husband has that shirt…I am stealing it!
Thank you Ange. Let me know if I can be of any assistance.
The step #4 picture shows what appears to be a dart running from the pocket toward the side seam. Is this something you added, or was it part of the original? Thanks.
Hi Cory,
That is a picture of an armhole gusset. Often when you cut down a mans shirt the armhole needs to be re-shaped. I do this all of the time with a gusset inset under the arm as shown.
Hi Cory,
That is a picture of an armhole gusset. Often when you cut down a mans shirt the armhole needs to be re-shaped. I do this all of the time with a gusset inset under the arm as shown.
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I’m trying to see your post but it’s not showing the pictures to actually follow along. All the other tips show perfectly. What am I doing wrong. Thank you for your help
Hi Cheryl I checked the link and it is working fine. I am not sure what the problem is??? Sorry. I am on Pinterest as well if you want to check there.