2 Shirts = 1 Dress

 Hello Readers. I try to use all the clothing pieces and scraps I have for refashions. Sometimes I do a refashion project and have some scrap pieces leftover. Sometimes it takes some time for me to figure out a way to use them, but I always get to it eventually. This post is one of those "scrap" refashion projects.

Before and after.

This cut off sweatshirt was the top of a dress. I used the skirt of the dress to make sleeves for a shirt a couple years ago. 

This plaid shirt was a clothes swap find that I picked up a few months ago. I thought the blue tones of these shirts would work well together. I decided to make a dress. 

I clipped the top and the skirt piece together to make sure they would be sewn together evenly around the waist. The plaid was just a bit larger than the sweatshirt so I made sure the fabric wouldn't be bunched up anywhere around my dress.  

This is what it looked like and it's not great. Don't panic... trust the process. Things can always get better. All I needed to do was add some elastic. 

 

I sewed the elastic into the shirt, right at the waist. I stretched the elastic a bit so it would tighten up the waistband when I was done. 

 

It looks so much better with a gathered waist. It is casual and it will be comfy to wear. 

 

This dress was easy to put together and it is casual and fun. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself.
 

 

 

Alter Your T-shirt

 Hello Readers. If there is one thing I love to do, it is cutting up and refashioning clothes. I love to alter my t-shirts because you can do it with no sewing at all. It is quick and easy. They fit better and they feel better when I do a little cutting. It's so easy. You just need a t-shirt and a pair of sharp scissors.

Before and after. 

This is just a basic t-shirt. There is not anything wrong with it but I like to change my t-shirts up a little when I can. It's fun and easy and I always like the results. Let's get started.

I like to remove the neckband. I cut all the way around the neck close to the neckband. This opens up the shirt a little. The neck opening will be a bit larger and feel more comfortable.

I cut off the armbands next. I like to do this because it makes a looser sleeve and gives my arms more room around the bicep. This can make a t-shirt fit more comfortable if the sleeve is a little tight. 

These sleeves fit well but I kept cutting. I cut sleeve again. I cut along the top of the sleeve. I tried to match the location and direction of the shoulder seam. I cut the sleeve only. I did not cut the shoulder seam or armhole seam. Leaving those seams intact will help the shirt keep its shape. 

 

I tied the corners of my new sleeve cut in a little knot. It adds some extra interest to the sleeve and looks a little more feminine. The opening adds a little ventilation too. 

 

I cut the bottom of the shirt next. I wanted to remove the hem of the shirt. I cut all the way around the shirt. This only makes the shirt about 1/2 inch shorter. 

 

I cut a slit in the center of the front of the shirt. It made my slit approximately 5 inches long. My cutting mat has measuring marks on it. You can also use a ruler to get the length of cut you want. That made 2 little corners just like the sleeves.

 

I wanted to tie a knot at the front of the shirt too. It will work well visually with the sleeves. It will also add some shape to the waistline. 

 

Thanks for reading along. I hope you have fun cutting up one of your t-shirts.
 

 

 

 

 

 

Use Shirring as a Waistband

Hello Readers. This dress was such a nice Robin's Egg blue. It had pretty shirring through the body. I like the shirring but it did not like me. Or more accurately, it didn't fit me. I could still do something with it and keep that wonderful Robin's egg color. I could make a skirt. It would be so easy because the shirring would make an almost instant waistband.

Before and after. 

The shirring was a little tight. It was not comfortable around my chest and I didn't like how tight it was at all.

 

I cut the top of the dress off. That was the the part that was so uncomfortable. I measured 4 inches and used the lines of elastic as a guide to make a straight cut. 

 

I used my serger to finish and close up the cut edge so it would not fray. I "serged" all the way around the skirt. (Here is a inexpensive beginner serger. If you are considering adding one to your sewing room.) The serger makes a strong edge so you could leave it like this. But we can make it prettier. 

(*You can use a sewing machine and a zigzag stitch on this cut edge. It will work well but it might not be as neat. We are going to hide it so it won't matter in the end.)

I used my sewing machine to stitch down the waistband with a zigzag stitch. (Here is a good beginner sewing machine to start some basic sewing projects.) I wanted it to be able to stretch and give with it's elastic. I folded it in and under and stitched all the way around the waistband. Folding the waistband in half so the new waistband is 2 inches wide. 

The shirring made a great elastic waistband. It would be comfortable and stretchy and easy to wear. The shirring made it so pretty too. 

It was a fun match for this t-shirt. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself.