What’s better than recycling you old clothes into new outfits? Recycling your husband’s old clothes. Refashion a men’s dress shirt into a cool, summer top. By using a shirt that already fits you for the measurements, you can create a custom fit top that looks almost unrecognizable from its humble beginnings. Straight lines and simple stitches are the extent of expertise needed. This project does come with one drawback. After finishing one top, you will want to raid more of your husband’s shirts.
Things You Will Need:
Men’s dress shirt (long-sleeve)
Top that fits you (This is for your measurements.)
Straight pins
Measuring tape
Scissors
Sewing machine
Iron
1/4-inch elastic
Step 1
Turn the men’s dress shirt wrong side out and lay it with the front side facing up on your work surface. Turn the top you are using for your measurement guide wrong side out. Center your top on the dress shirt. Position it as close to the top shoulders as you desire. Most dress shirts have pockets. Mine had one. They won’t be usable after your summer top is constructed, but I just went with it and the pocket became a quirky decorative part of the shirt.
Step 2
Smooth the layers of the shirt and top to remove wrinkles. Pin your summer top to the dress shirt. Cut the dress shirt 1 inch beyond the side edges of your top. Remove your top. Cut off the sleeves of the dress shirt. Continue to cut straight up and through the shoulders.
Step 3
Pin the side edges of the cut dress shirt. Flip the shirt over so that the back is facing up. Cut across the top, just below the seam of the yoke. This will be the top edge for your summer top.
Step 4
Sew the pinned side edges using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Unbutton the shirt. The top of the shirt is one long edge. Fold over the top edge 1/4 inch and press. Fold over another 1/4 inch, press and pin. Sew the pinned edge to hem. Note: If a button is in the way, re-cut the top edge to just below the button.
Step 5
On your body, measure from above your bust to where you would like the bottom of the summer top to fall. Add 1/2 inch. Using this measurement, measure down from the hemmed top edge of the your new top and cut off the bottom. Hem the bottom edge in the same way as the top edge. Note: If a button is in the way, cut just above the button. If this is going to make your top too short, cut just above the next button down.
Step 6
Wrap 1/4-inch elastic around your body, just above your bust. Subtract 4 inches and cut. With the shirt unbuttoned, pin the ends of the elastic next to each edge of the button placket, just below the top hem. Stretch the elastic to lay flat on the shirt. You may need to pin the ends to your couch cushions or the carpet to stretch it out to full length. Pin the elastic just below the top hem. Sew the elastic to the shirt.
Step 7
Measure your body from above your bust to where you would like your waist elastic. Wrap elastic around your body at your desired waist area. Subtract 4 inches and cut. Pin the elastic to the shirt, in the same way as the previous elastic, at your desired waist area. Sew the elastic in place.
Step 8
Button the shirt. The waist elastic will cause gaping at the placket. Evenly pin the placket together. Sew across the placket to secure. Note: If you do not think you will be able to get your shirt on over your head with the placket stitched closed at the waist, stitch a snap between the layers of the placket instead.
Step 9
Put on your shirt. Measure the length needed for your shoulder straps, from the front, top edge to the back, top edge. Add 1 inch. Cut two strips from the sleeves or scraps of your dress shirt 2 inches wide by the strap length needed. If your sleeves are not long enough, you will need to piece the fabric together.
Step 10
Lay a strip on your ironing surface. Fold it in half with the long edges matching. Iron the strip. Unfold. Fold the long edges to the center crease and iron. Fold the strip in half again, matching the long folded edges. Pin the edges together. Repeat with the other strip. Sew the pinned edges to create your straps.
Step 11
Put on your shirt. With the help of a friend, pin the ends of your straps to the elastic, just under the top hem of the shirt. Sew across the pinned ends to secure.
Ribbon, cord or other trim can be used for the straps.
You can omit the straps if a strapless top is preferred.
