Hi Everyone!
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I have been waiting on this refashion for a while, since June to be exact. The reason is that I keep changing the length and the hem. This one is a perfect example of the fact that things do not always work out right the first time. I could kick myself because I did not save the pictures of the changes (that will never happen again), but take it from me, this one has “Gone through the wringer.” Here is how it started:
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I am finally happy with it now. Here it is:
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Now I will tell you what happened in between. My first version was knee length. Call me lazy but I wanted to keep the original hem. I wore it to work and by the end of the day, it looked like I had slept in it. It needed to be shorter so the fabric did not bunch up in my lap every time I sat down.
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After that, I made it shorter with a shirt tail hem. I wore it again, but it was still a rumpled mess by the end of the day. There would be no avoiding some wrinkles. The fabric is such that it needs to be ironed and starched. I decided to make slits on the sides. This was just what it needed to let the garment move with me and keep it from wrinkling so much.
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Here is the tutorial for the end result:
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1) Cut the sleeves off and make changes to the side seams.
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This always seems to be the first step.
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2) Overlock and 1/4″ topstitch the new armhole.
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3) Cut out the ruffles with pre-made pattern. Overlock the edges.
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4) Turn under the edges of the ruffle and topstitch. Pin down the ruffles on the side of the top placket and topstitch down.
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5) I wanted to add a feature to the back so I made a line of stitching across the center and pulled to make even gathers on the center back.
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6) I removed the cuff from the sleeve and picked off the topstitching.
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7) Place the cuff over the center of the topstitch line and pin down.
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8) Topstitch around the cuff over the original topstitch lines.
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9) Add matching buttons (from the other cuff) on the opposite side.
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10) Create a shirt tail hem with side slits.
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Here are close-ups of the design features on the form.
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Whew! This one was a hard fought battle but I did it! I still need more practice with ruffles but not bad for my first time in years. What do you think??
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It is funny but I was hoping you would do a shirt makeover and tutorial as I have a pink linen very large ladies shirt I want to refashion. You have inspired me to give it a go.
I like it and your styling. It fits beautifully and has a fresh summer look.
From Karen at Facebook Group Melton Bowerbirds
Thanks Karen! I guess our creative energies were coordinated this week! 🙂 Glad you enjoyed
Beautiful workmanship; highly creative result! I’m in awe 🙂
Awe thanks Mother Deer! So glad you like it!:)
Great job Mary. I love this new shirt and it looks beautiful on you.
Hi Virginia! Thank you for the comments. Glad you stopped by:)
The refashioned shirt looks terrific. I love the detail you added on the back as well as the ruffled front. Great job, Mary!
Thanks Sue, I am finding more and more uses for cuffs these
days. Stay tuned…more to come 🙂
Mary, that is such a cute back detail! So clever!
Hi Anny! Thank you for the compliment as I said to Sue, I am finding a lot of uses for cuffs. Have a great day!
This may be a silly question, but unless I ask, I won’t know. Why is the ruffle pattern a circle?
I do love the back detail…very creative. I’ve learned so much from the hours spent on your pages. Thank you!
Hi Beth! So glad that you are learning from me and enjoying the pages. Never be afraid to ask… it is how you learn. Ruffles can be made with straight pieces but also circular. The center of the circle is the total length of the area you want to cover. When you pull the circle into a straight line and line it up on the placket, it just falls differently when you use a circular ruffle. The ruffles are more uneven instead of perfectly proportioned. The Renegade Seamstress has a great tutorial on this. I will look it up and attach it to this comment. Can’t do it just now. Look for follow-ups! 🙂
How long did it take you?
Hi Beth,
Can’t really say, I didn’t add up the hours but I worked on it on and off since June LOL! Never give up! Ha Ha
Hi Mary!
I love this refashion! Great way to turn a masculine shirt into something feminine and cute! I especially love the ruffle and the cuff on the back! Too cool! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
~Jen
Hey Jen!
Thanks for stopping in! Have a good one “Mama!” 🙂
Hola que bien le ha quedado y que guapa se vé usted, gracias por compartir con nosotras nos dá buenas ideas. Saludos.
Gracias Ross!
I was amazed at the ruffle being cut from the circle pattern. I have not done many ruffles, so will try to remember this.
Hey Marlene,
Yes the width of the circle will be the finished width of your ruffle. The inside circumference of the circle should be the length of the area you want to cover. I will attach a tutorial from my friend the “Renegade Seamstress” as soon as I have a chance. I am back to work. Time is short. AHHHHH!
Oh, so cute! Love the back detail especially. And once again it’s helpful to know that if I run into a problem it’s not just me – it can happen to the pros too 🙂
Thanks Jo!
I run into problems all of the time. That is why I work on a few projects at once so something eventually gets done. There are many times I have to put a project down, think about it, or let it rest until the answers come to me. Rarely does anything go without some kind of hitch. I will have to talk about the problems I encounter more often. You and others need to know you are not alone! 🙂
I think it is BRILLIANT! Adorable, light weight and hot-flash friendly. In fact, it is perfect for a re-make of my own. Thank you very much for the inspiration!
Ha Ha Cori!
I love it! “Hot flash friendly” Being the tender age of 54 I unfortunately know the woes of what you are talking about. That is one reason why I like sleeveless or short sleeve. 🙂
excellent work,as you always do,thanks for sharing
Thanks Evi! Have a good one. More coming soon…
Mary, I am going to try this pattern with a couple of shirts I got at Salvation Army. What was the diameter of the ruffle pattern? I am guessing it was about 2″ wide? So cut it at 2.25″. I’ll send you a picture once I am done. Thanks!!
Hello, It has been a long time on this one but that sounds about right Can’t wait to see your picture.
Question: I don’t like to wear men’s shirts because of the buttons being on the opposite side. Have you ever tried unsititching the front from the collar and turning it upside down?. Of course you have to cut a new top edge to fit the collar.
Hi Pat,
Part of the reason I like to upcycle is because I enjoy putting together a puzzle and saving a lot of work. Having said that, no I have never tried it because I don’t mind the the buttons on the opposite side. I have become used to both ways. I would find what you mention to be too much added work.
MARY