“Sew” Cute! Refashioning an Oversized Shirt

Halloo, dear lovelies! First of all, my apologies to you guys for this long overdue update as well as to my younger sib, Lyna, who has been constantly nagging, (oops!) lovingly reminding me (nice save! haha) to finally upload a post for this blog.

Anyway, enough with the pleasantries, let’s jump right into our latest adventure–refashioning! Yes, you read that right, REFASHIONING. We got into this hobby just recently about 2-3 months ago while Pinteresting. We stumbled upon a lovely refashionista (cottonandcurls.blogspot.com) which totally got us hooked. Inspired by her upcycles and refashions, we tried our “hand” on refashioning. (Pun intended!) Since we didn’t have a machine then, we did all of our sewing by hand. It took us around 2-3 days finishing projects. I guess seeing clothes take an exciting new form trumps the many knuckle-hurting and needle-pricking moments.

Good thing the parentals got us a pre-loved electric sewing machine in one of our family thrift shopping trips, so I got to finish this project in time for this post! :)Downside is it’s Japanese—- hehehe! Got to tinker with it so we got it to work! Yey!

Btw, before you start on recreating this project, you need to gear up with these stuff:

• button down shirt (I used an oversized long-sleeved one)

• sewing machine or needle and thread

• thread (preferably close to the color to that of your fabric)

• scissors

• flexible measuring tape (I used  a ruler.. )

• pins

• marking pen, pencil, or tailor’s chalk (any marking pen would do, just make sure that you use one that wouldn’t leave a permanent mark on your fabric especially when you’re handling delicates or light colored ones)

Optional (these are in case you want to add a tad bit more detail to your blouse)

• extra fabric with the print or color you like (you’ll use this one for lining / piping the edges of the blouse)

• colored buttons

• lace

First thing you need to do is create a pattern:

1. Lay your oversized shirt on a surface, making sure that you lay it real flat. After that, place a shirt you like the shape of, on top of the oversized shirt, again making sure it’s flat. This will serve as your pattern. Secure your “pattern” with pins.

2. Getting your chalk, trace around your pattern. Spare a bit for seam allowance. (I gave mine around half an inch.)

3. Not removing the pins. Cut out the fabric following the edges of your seam allowance. Make sure you cut out a neck line as well.

4. Rip the seams of the pocket and set aside.

Now you can begin on sewing things up:

5. Sew along the lines you traced. (Since I decided on placing a bit of piping on my shirt, I left the neckline out.) Sew the piping on the neckline. (It’ll be a breeze if you iron your piping first so the width would be consistent..)

Hang in there lovelies! We’re almost through! Remember the pocket we set aside in Step 4?

6. Taking your ripped pocket, sew in the details you want placed. (I took the same piping I used on the neckline and a bit of lace.)

7. Pin the pocket on the area where you want it sewn. (I pinned mine facing the mirror, so I can see the effect 😀 ) Sew it in place.

Optional: Sew in colorful buttons on your shirt for a cuter effect!

Voila! A new stylish shirt! 😀

Try it for yourself and show us what you come up with.. 😀