Button Down Six;The Linen One

Hello Readers. I have been sewing away at my pile of button-down shirts, and this is the last one for now. This shirt is a very heavy gray linen. It is so heavy it feels almost like denim. It is too heavy for a summer shirt.  For this project I decided to turn this shirt into shorts. The material will make a great pair of summer shorts.

I was going to use a simple pattern to make shorts with an elastic waist. Then my daughter showed me a great video about how to make shorts. 

Before we go any further, you should watch the video yourself. Here is the video with instructions.

I had to change the plan a bit because I wanted to save the bottom of the shirt as the hem of my shorts. I had to add an elastic waistband anyway. I began by cutting off the collar and the arms. I cut open the arms and attach them to the body of the shirt to give me more fabric to work with. 

I removed the buttons and placket because it was thicker than the rest of the shirt. The rest of the shirt and the sleeves are one layer. I put them all together and made one big piece of fabric. 

I folded my fabric the way Holly did in the video and used a pair of shorts as a guide. I cut out my fabric the way Holly did but I didn't leave extra at the bottom for a seam allowance because I didn't need to hem the bottom of these. I did leave extra at the top.

I sewed them together and as you can see I had to remove the buttons that used to be on the arms. They went together easily. The inside seams needed help to keep from fraying. I used a zigzag stitch to try to finish the seams. A serger would be better, but I don't have one. It's on my wish list.

I folded the top edge under and stitched it down. I left a small opening to insert some elastic I had left from a past project. It is bright blue but it will be hidden. I connected the ends of the elastic and closed the opening. 

Here are my finished shorts. This is the back view where those buttons used to be. I really like them. The elastic waist is comfortable and the linen doesn't feel heavy now that is is used as shorts. They feel light and will be cool in the summer.

I wore them to Home Depot. It's not very exciting, but it's the truth.

Thanks for reading, now go make something fun for yourself.

Button Down Five; The Floral One

I got this shirt from my mom. I loved the floral design and the fabric was soft and very light weight. It was perfect for summer.

 My daughter took this picture and told me I looked like I had gained 30 lbs in it. It needed some work to make it fit.  

I cut the shirt straight across the top. This removed the collar and the straight cut was easy to fold in twice and stitch down. I didn't cut off too much or the whole shirt would get too short.

I left room to put elastic inside to gather the neckline. I wanted to make a loose wide neckline. I was hoping it wouldn't be so wide it would fall off my shoulders. Off the shoulder tops are in style and this could easily be worn like that, if that's what you want. I just don't like bra straps showing and I don't have a strapless bra. 

I shortened the sleeves and added some very thin elastic all the way around the middle of the shirt to give it a more defined waist.

It has a loose fit that will be comfortable in the heat of the summer.

Thank you for reading, now go make something fun for yourself.

Button Down Four; The Gray One

Hello Readers. My project today is my fourth button-down so far. I am working my way through a pile of shirts and lots of ideas in my head.

The shirt started out like this. This gray shirt was pretty but too big. That gave me lots of fabric to play with.

I cut off the sleeves and collar. I took some extra off the sides too. I did the smallest seam possible on the arm holes. I followed the curve of the seam that was already there.

The top of the shirt was folded down twice and sewed it in place with my machine. 

Then I threaded wide black satin ribbon through the front and back. I left the ribbon long and tied a big bow on one side. (Full disclosure- I saw this on Pinterest.)

I used this Fray Check on the ends of the ribbon to keep it from getting frayed.

Here is my new shirt with the big bow. The wide ribbon makes a wide strap on my shoulders which I like.

Thanks for reading, now go make something fun for yourself.

*** BONUS TRACK ***

I found this belt on clearance recently. I like belts like this because no matter what size I am that day, the belt still fits. If I eat a big lunch or a huge batch of cookies, the belt still fits. The problem was I bought this belt without trying it on, it's too big, and it dangled down in a weird way. I cut off the excess.

I decided to use some of this Fray Check again. (They aren't paying me for this. I just like the product.) I used it on the end of the belt.

I let it dry overnight. The Fray Check will keep the ends together

I folded the end over once and used a zigzag stitch to hold the end down. The belt was too thick to fold over twice. My machine couldn't sew through it. I could have done this without the Fray Check but it made it much neater.

When I was done it was the right size and looked clean and nicely sewn. 

That's all for now.

Button Down Three; The Striped One

Hello Readers. I hope you are well. I am on my third button-down refashion. It is actually a combination of two shirts.

This striped shirt was was large and the sleeves were too long. I cut it from side to side, under the arms. I used pinking shears to help control fraying.

I have had this super stretchy black T-shirt for years. It has gotten a little small through the body (baby weight and all) so it is perfect for a refashion. I cut it the same way. (Sorry for the picture quality, it's awful. A new camera is on the way.)

The black shirt was smaller than the striped shirt. That's OK. I put the right sides together and stretched the T-shirt as I sewed the two together.  When I was finished the striped shirt was gently gathered all the way around. This left the striped shirt nice and full through the body. That's good for the look I want.

 I planned to wear a belt with it to cinch the waist. Without a belt this looks very maternity and I don't want that. I got this idea from Pinterest, it linked me to a blog about fashion called Cowboys & Angels. So, thanks to them for the idea.

 This shirt is one of my new favorites. It is really comfortable with the stretchy arms and shoulders.

Thanks for reading, now go make something fun for yourself.

Button-Down Two; The Lacy White One

Hello Readers. This is the second button-down shirt refashion. I have been holding on to a few of them and decided to try several different refashions. I like to try out different ideas. They don't always work out well but you never know if you don't try.

 This white shirt is beautiful quality and it is in great condition. But it's too big and the arms are too long. I have another white button-down shirt so this one can become something else.

I decided to remove the sleeves and make a summer top that will be good in hot weather. I cut off the collar and then the shoulders too. I ended up with a basic tube top. It was at this point that I realized I have made this shape top before but it was too late to change plans.

I wanted to make the top a little different so I am going to use this wide lace as straps. I am hoping it looks feminine and sweet. I am hoping I don't look like a pudgy middle-aged Daisy Duke.  I guess we'll see what happens.

I folded the top edge down twice and made a new finished top seam. I tried threading elastic through the top to draw it in, but it made the top really puffy. It was not flattering at all. This fabric didn't drape well. I looked like a big marshmallow. Instead I took in the sides a bit and made a fitted tube. I pinned the lace in place, made sure everything was even (It's not in this picture.) and stitched it on with my sewing machine.

Here is the finished top. It was a pretty simple project and white tops are great to throw on. No matter what you are wearing with it, it will match. I think I would have liked this top more if the material had not been as heavy. The quality was almost "too good", if that's possible. I wanted it to drape and it is not that kind of fabric. I made it a straight tube and that worked much better.

It was good to wear casually (When you paint your nails, you can see I am letting them dry in the picture below.) or to a sushi dinner with friends. 

Thanks for reading, now go make something fun for yourself.

Button Down One; The Blue One

Hello Readers. I have a small collection of button down shirts that I plan to refashion for the warm weather. This is the first shirt from the series. It is a bit too big. I could roll the sleeves and wear it loose. I like that look. But....

One sleeve has some tiny holes in it.

And the collar has a black mark. 

The damaged parts have to go. I removed the sleeves and collar and that left me with a tank top shape to work with.

I thought I would use this cute colorful bias tape to finish the edges and make it more interesting. My daughter made it and it is perfect for Spring.

That didn't do anything good for this top. It looks like a hospital gown. Or pajamas. Neither is a very flattering look.  I unpinned this and thought of a new plan.

I worked on the fit. I took it in a little under the arms so it wouldn't gape open. I also shortened the straps at the top. I didn't want it too tight but it was big on me so the sleeve and neck holes needed to be taken in.

In the end I chose black bias tape and added a little bow to finish it off.

I used this liquid Fray Check on the ends of the ribbon. It will make the ribbon last longer and look nicer wear after wear. That is what it said on the package anyway.

The finished look is a little retro. I am liking it a lot.

Thanks for reading, now go make something fun for yourself.