Let’s start with this thrift store, button down, men’s shirt that I’m going to wear backwards. Yep, that’s right, I said backwards.
Use this strip for the waistband
With right sides together, pin and sew sleeve back into sleeve casing and now you have a new summer shirt!!!!
This project was inspired by Tracy from Let’s Get Thrifty . She refashioned, not just one, but three men’s button downs into cute summer shirts! Check out her awesome blog for some more ideas!
Have a great weekend!
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The Renegade Seamstress 
Great idea! I would never have thought of that.
Thank you Emily! I usually do things by trial and error. I never quite know how it’s going to turn out when I start something.
Oh wow. This is genius! Usually mens shirt-refashions look exactly like what they are/were but you would never guess with this little number. Great stuff!
Thank you! I had a fun day today. Sewing, learning to use my new (to me) camera and trying out some Photoshop tricks. So much to learn. Have a great weekend!
Beth
Sounds like the perfect day to me! I use Photoshop as part of my job so if you ever get stuck on anything, do give me a shout! A lovely weekend back at ya! B-)
Oh, thanks for the Photoshop offer. There is so so much to learn. But I think it’s so much fun, it’s just like play to me.
Too cute, Beth!! I love the potential; you could put the shirt over a pair of crisp white jeans, throw on some heels and jewelry, and make it a dressy affair. Or dress it down with some shorts for a “romping about town” kind of look. Either was, it’s adorable!
Happy Friday,
Cara
Thanks so much my friend! I was also thinking that white jeans would look nice with this. Now we just need some nice spring weather. I did, however, see the first crocus poke it’s head out today. Perhaps there’s hope after all. Hope you are feeling a little better!
Beth
Ooo, Spring is making itself known, I can feel it!
I am feeling much better, thank you!
Happy Saturday to you!
So, I probably should have done this initially, but I admit I was a bit lazy after writing up such a long post; however, I nominated you for an award a while back and I wasn’t sure if you ever saw the post? Here is the link: http://thislittlelight516.wordpress.com/2012/03/23/terribly-long-overdue/
Happy Saturday, Beth!
This is very cute! What a great way to redo a button up shirt…
Jeanna
Thanks, Jeanna. Now I just need some nice weather so I can wear it.
Beth
Wow! You are amazingly talented. I can’t sew to save my life! love it!
Oh Missy, you are too kind! I think it’s more determination and necessity than talent. But I do have fun! Have a great weekend and thanks for your comments, they mean a lot to me!
Beth
Really cute refashion! I’m definitely going to give it a try!
Oh good, I hope you do. I’d love to see some pictures when you’re finished!!!
I loved your refashion. I need to do that with some of my hubby’s shirts he doesn’t wear!
Thanks so much! It was really fun and easy to do. If you make one, I hope you’ll post pictures!!!
Happy Friday Night to you!
Beth
What a great project! I’m here via Refashion Co-op, I just had to see how this was done! 🙂
Oh I’m so glad you visited! I hope the tutorial was what you were looking for. I’d love to see pictures if you ever make this!
Beth
Exellent (re)make…
Your tutorial notes look great!
[Note to self: must investigate Photoshop]
Thanks so much! I’m just learning Photoshop (and getting a little carried away I might add) 🙂 But it’s loads of fun!
Beth as promised check it out: http://wp.me/p1dbnt-IA Think you’ll like it. I love what you did with this shirt. Have a great day.
Thank you so much for featuring me! It was a real treat to wake up this morning and read that. You are a gem!
FYI just love the shirt. 🙂
You are so kind!
This looks like a fun project! I am glad you found me! I look forward to reading more of your posts!
Thanks for the visit! I’m all about making due with what you have so I’ll have fun seeing what you have in store too!
What a great way to re-purpose the shirt! Thanks for stopping by my site – that’s how I found you! 🙂
Love this!
Thanks for visiting!
The shirt is awesome! Steve better watch out he might start missing some shirts.
Oops, don’t tell on me. 🙂
Very nice and feminine !!! I have TONS of men’s shirts and this is a great way of using them ! This is a very nicely done tutorial by the way. It shows that you are a teacher, from a fellow one 😉
Thanks so much Claudia! What do you teach?
Beth
So cute! You are very creative and cleaver. I want to try this soon. I have a 1 month old son and have been trying to figure out how to refashion or alter a shirt into a cute nursing top. I have a little bit of sewing experience but no idea how to design a cute nursing top. Do you know of any places I could find a tutorial or could you post one? By the way I love your blog.
Thanks Mary Alice!
Congratulations on your new little one. I bet he’s a cutie!
Here’s a few cute nursing top refashions you might like to check out http://www.homesweethomebodies.net/2010/07/shirt-to-nursing-shirt-refashion.html
http://www.feathersflights.com/2012/02/easy-nursing-top-refashion-tutorial.html
http://www.crafterella.com/2010/04/how-to-make-nursing-top-using-t-shirts.html
I’d love to see what you end up making.
Thanks for visiting my blog, I hope you will come back again!
Happy Monday!
Beth
wow, impressive refashion! =D
Thanks Shey!!!
What an interesting blog! You are so talented and creative. Original ideas are hard to come by, but this certainly is one. Your tutorial was so easy to follow and understand. Great post!!
Wow! Thanks so much for the kinds words Betty!
You have a good day!
Beth
Wow, that’s so clever! Awesome tutorial, too!
Thanks Rachel!! That means a lot coming from a seamstress such as yourself!
Wow – super impressive!
Thanks Tracy!!!
Your blog is my first exposure to refashion. What a great concept – and I love this shirt!
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!!!!!!!
wow! first exposure! check out your local consignment shops!! or my blog! fashion soon to come!
I have only just found your blog and I can see I have a lot of reading ahead of me! I am always finding mens shirts in op-shops that I just love to see what I can do with them. I just have to try this idea it looks fab! Your tutorial is funky and easy to read. Great work!!
I hope you’ve had a chance to try this out. Let me know…….
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Nice! I love this one too!
Thank you!
awesome shirt choice! it turned out sooo well! very creative! really like it!
Thank you so much! Refashioning is so much fun isn’t it!
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i have had a shirt in my closet for about 4 years that was given to me as a gift. I love the fabric, but I don’t really like the style or fit. I am going to use this idea to recycle it! thank you for visiting my blog because that prompted me to visit your blog 🙂 Now I’m going to make something out of that shirt that I’m actually going to wear!
Oh I can’t wait to see it!
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I love how you’ve made this into an entirely different garment – it’s a great shape too.
Thank you so much!
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What does the back look like?
It has the buttons down the back and the neckline is a little higher than the front. The waist band goes all around.
Bravissima! Complimenti.
Un caro saluto.
Rita
Grazie mille!
That looks super cute!
I just love all the things you do with re-designing clothes!!! It inspires me to sew, really! Im going out to buy my first sewing machine next week, and begin from literally ZERO know how!! But I am determined to start to sew beautiful clothes like you do!!!! Thank you for all your inspiring turtorials, they really help!
Oh my gosh, Sandy! That is the ultimate compliment. I’ve been having so much fun with all this and I can’t wait to see what you make. Keep me updated on your progress!
Happy sewing!
Beth
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I have looked at many of your tutorials and am excited to start some of my own projects. I notice that you have a form in your photos. Do you find that having the form is imperative to your work, or could it all be done without?
Hi Sarah. Most everything I do could be accomplished without my form. I bought my form from Joann’s a few years ago and although I can adjust the form to my measurements, it isn’t the same as my “shape”. So I still have to try on my clothes throughout the process. There are forms out there that will mimic your exact shape and size, maybe I’ll get one some day…… 🙂
Hello I would like to ak what to do if I have a skirt, beautiful blue long circle skirt but unfortunately it is very old and it has some holes and teaeings which I was trying to repair whith sowing but it always stays just a week. Also it does not look nice after the sowing. What should I do is there some way to repair it I don’t want to give ir eway 😦 :). Thanks foe wverithing I love your blog.
Do you have a photo of the back? I’m trying to imagine how it ended up. Thank you!
What a great idea! You could reuse any buttons you cut off by sewing them down the front, or spacing them out on the inset part. Or cut the strip on a diagonal if there’s enough fabric, for a slanted stripe inset. Good job!
Love this idea Terty!
Hello, I really like what you did with this shirt! Can you show us the back of it? Is it a pullover or do you have to button the back to put it on? Is it difficult to do that/