8 DAYS OF REFASHIONING

WOW. I am sorry, that tutorial was long but we are going to do so much with that shirt and make at least five variations. It is a great staple for any wardrobe. Look for the variations in upcomming months.

Today, right now we are going to do the 8 days of refashioning. I am going to take you on a journey through the web and give you a peak at some of my favorite sewing tutorials and introduce you to some very talented people. Get excited. This is going to be fun. This will run from December 1 - 8.

FINISHED

Isn't she hot? If you want to look as hot, just follow this tutorial. I know it is a long tutorial but some of my friends who haven't sewn much begged me to make it as detailed as possible. This shirt would typically take me two hours to make and the tutorial took me two months to write. I am better at sewing than writting.
This shirt was made from a pile of clothes I was just going to thrift. I love the saying, "Use it up. Wear it out. Make it do or do without." I love making something beautiful from another person's trash. All you need to make this shirt is an old shirt your husband no longer wears, as long as you have a smaller frame than him. (Curse skinny men. ;))A sewing machine and some thread and a little elastic thread and the pattern you are good to go. If you don't have a sewing machine look on craig's list. The best brand is a Bernina. Even a really old Bernina will do an amazing job.
All my sisters are begging me to make one for them for Christmas. Maybe I will. Maybe you should make some for a few women you love.

A1 WATCH THIS TRANSFORMATION

It all starts with a man's shirt. An old one you have lying around the house or one that you buy at a thrift store. Just watch what we can do.

A2 McCALL'S 5929

A pattern is nice to have. I refashion a lot for little kids without one but when you are refashioning for an adult especially a woman you need a pattern. There are a lot of curves to a female figure so a pattern is necessary. (Was that redundant, yes.) Eventually, I would love to write my own patterns but until then this one will do the trick. DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED BY A PATTERN. I WILL BE HERE HOLDING YOUR HAND THE WHOLE WAY. :)

P.S. Our final shirts will not look like the one pictured. It is simply a pattern we are going to base our shirt on.


A few things to note about patterns.

1. Pattern Pricing.

We are refashioning to save money. Pattern's are expensive. Luckily, fabric stores often have sales on patterns, especially during the holidays. You can call your local Joann's or Hancock and ask when their next sale on patterns is. Usually, the pattern will be .99 - 1.50, which is super cheap. However, if you want to follow this tutorial day by day and want to start now then just click here and order it. The cost is around 10.00, which isn't a lot of money for a shirt especially if you are going to use your husband's old shirt to transform. Then the total cost of your shirt will be 10.00, + plus thread, elastic thread, and interfacing. However, each additional shirt will be substantially cheaper. Around free. We are going to make different variations of this shirt, so it will be a good pattern to own.

2. Pattern Size Selection

You aren't fat, patterns run large. Gap, Banana Republic, Abecrombie and Finch have all have learned that women like to feel skinny. Through the years these companies have made the labels to their clothes smaller and smaller while pattern companies have remained consistent. If your pattern says you are a size twelve, don't be offended. I know you are a size two, it is okay. I have given a lot of sewing lessons through the years and this is always a discussion with my students. Look at the back flap of your pattern envelope. You will have to enlarge this picture to get a good look at it. Then take a measuring tape and measure yourself. If you have any questions about measuring yourself click here or leave a comment. On the flap of your pattern look at the body measurement chart. The most important measurement for this pattern is Bust, Waist, Hip. Here are my measurements. 35 inch bust, 31 inch waist, 38 inch hips. As you can see from the flap there is no size I fit in. My bust is a size 12 1/2. My waist is a size 16 1/2. My hips are a size 14. Yeah, now what? It would be easier if we could all fit in a mold. Sigh. I am going to start in the middle. I will make myself a size 14. If you have any questions on which size to choose write, "My friend is ____ measurements in the comment box below and ask for a suggestion." No one will ever know it was your measurements. Or, just send me an e-mail. Then get your pattern and get ready to start. We are going to have some fun.

A3 SEAM RIPPERS

The first thing you do when you are starting a refashion is remove the pocket. You don't want to cut into the pocket when you cut out your new shirt. You may want to reattach the pocket or you may not, but you don't want a partially cut into pocket hangin' out in the wrong place on your shirt. Therefore it has to go. See ya.


Seam ripping is easy. Just go slow and don't gouge the fabric. You don't want a hole. You only want to cut the small threads. Once the pocket is fully removed there will be a few threads remaining. You will want to pull these out. Here is a little trick for you. Get a lint remover and run it along the spot where the unwanted threads are lingering and then you won't have to pull them out one at a time. If you need a more detailed post on seam ripping just leave a comment.

P.S. Seam Rippers are cheap and one of the most necessary tools in sewing. They are a few dollars at most and you can pick one up at your local Walmart or fabric store.

A4 IRON THE SHIRT

An iron is the very most important tool you will use in sewing. You can see from the starting picture that we needed to do a little ironing. Especially, and I can't stress this enough, before you cut into fabric it needs to be ironed.

A5 PATTERN PIECE 1

Each pattern piece is clearly labeled. Open your pattern and find pattern piece one. Cut it out.

Then lay it atop your man shirt. Get the corner marked 1 as close to the arm pit seam marked 2 without crossing over the seam. Also, be sure that the shoulder seam of your pattern does not cross the shoulder seam of your shirt.
Be sure to line the edge of the pattern up with the edge of the shirt. Pin it down.