Plaid Shirt

 Hello Readers. I have had this XL men's shirt for a while. I liked the seersucker fabric and wanted to use if for a summer top. You can see here what I did to make a top for myself. 

Before and after. 

My son told me it looked like I was wearing someone's grandpas's clothes. He wasn't wrong. I liked the fabrics and was determined to make something new from the materials

I used this shirt as a pattern to cut out a new shirt. I cut it at the bottom so the hem of the blue shirt could be the hem of my new shirt.

I used my seam ripper to remove the front pockets.

I used my serger to sew the sides and shoulder seams together.

I cut the sleeves off what was left of the shirt. I also cut the sleeves down in size and length. 

I sewed the sleeves in with my serger. 

 

The new sleeves look different. I wanted small cap sleeves. I thought that would look more feminine and like this was my shirt and not grandpa's. 

I cut the pants down as well. I cut the pockets out of the way and cut the sides of the pants to make them more narrow. I cut the length so that I would have shorts instead of pants. 

Now I has a new summer top and shorts. 

This was a great outfit for a day at the beach. (And some ice cream.) Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself.

Denim Shorts; A Summer Necessity

 Hello Readers. Every summer I need one thing in my wardrobe, denim shorts. It is a must. Since the time of Covid my shorts have gotten too small every year so I have to make a new pair. So, welcome to "Denim Shorts 2023 Edition".

It's an annual tradition!

Capri length jeans are not flattering on me. They tend to cut off my legs in a bad way. These will be perfect to cut off into summer shorts.

I like to try them on inside out and make a mark where I want to cut the length. 

I used a seam ripper to get the frayed look. I picked at the edge of the shorts and then washed the to get really good fraying.

Do you have a problem with the waist being too loose? I did but I found an easy solution. 

I found these metal jean buttons on Amazon a while back. (Not an ad. They don't know me.) They have a cap that you can take on and off the back like an earring. You can put them in jeans, or anything else. They stay on really well.

I attached the button a little further over and put the cap on. 

When I button the waist it is a couple inches smaller. No sewing needed!

Here is to a fun summer full of relaxation. (Just kidding. I'm a mom of an 8 yr old boy. We don't sit still.) Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself.

***Year End Update- I wore these all summer. They were perfect for casual mom life.

Denim Days-Shorts

 Hello Reader. Some times clothing just needs some simple resizing or restyling to be great and fit well. 

 

Before and after. 

 

There just isn't anything good happening here. I mean, yes, i am wearing clothes. That is important. But these clothes are not great on me. They are shapeless and adding about 20 lbs. (I am American an I do not know how many kilos that is, sorry if you are anywhere else in the world.) The point is, this could be better.

These denim shorts were nice and classic but they just needed the sides moved in a little. I turned them inside out and stitched along the sides inside the side seam. Then I cut off the excess fabric. I didn't want the shorts tight just better in fit. Now they fit great. But what about that top?

I wanted to refit this shirt but I also wanted to save that little tassel detail on the side. I cut the bottom 2-3 inches off. That was going to be a new waistband.

I cut some of the shirt off at the sides. I knew it all needed to be more fitted so I cut the new shirt I wanted. I used the side seams as a guide and cut an inch inside of that seam. (3cm?) I also cut some of that new waistband off, about 4 inches. The waistband needed to be smaller around than the shirt to pull in at the waist.

You can see here where I did my sewing. I used my serger and some rainbow thread so it would be easy to see. This shirt was stretchy so it was easy to put the fabric together for sewing. Making a waistband let me save that little tassel and it gave the shirt a different shape. My new casual summer outfit was ready to go. Go where?

To the beach! This was my last day of a weekend at the beach with my family.

 We stayed at a house with a hammock chair in the living room. It was fabulous. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself. 

*Year End Note From Chickie- I still love the shirt so much. It is SO soft. The shorts were great all summer.