Transforming a Man’s Shirt into Chic!

Here’s How

• I prefer converting a man’s shirt because it is bigger and longer which gives your more options for designs.

• The way I altered this shirt was first I shaped the sides and placed front and back darts to make the shirt more fitted,

• Then I made the shoulder narrow by taking in the top of the sleeve on the shoulder.

• 1:  To narrow the shoulder – You can either put a shoulder dart or take in the sleeve at top of shoulder

• 2:  I made fake cuff links with buttons with hooks at the back so that the elastic can thread through.  (Narrow tube elastic cut approximately 3″ long)

• 3:  Thread the button with the elastic and pull elastic through one button

• 4:  Then through the buttonhole in the sleeve cuff

• 5:   Continue to pull the elastic through the other buttonhole and through the other button then join both ends of the elastic  by hand stitching to secure,  It should look like the diagram below.

SPRUCING UP AN OLD BLOUSE TO MAKE A FASHION STATEMENT  

Altuzarra Resort

Lace has been very popular for the past few seasons it’s so romantic and can add new dimension to an outfit.  You can duplicate designer trends with items you already have in your wardrobe.

I revamped this tired old shirt to simulate the design from Altuzarra Resort and adapted the look to my personality and comfort level.

I purchased this lace on sale at the fabric store and stitched it around the bottom hem and around the sleeve of the shirt.

The finished look.  I teamed it up with a cuffed capri ideal for summer,

• First I folded the back of the shirt in half and then over again so the center fold meet the side seam, this gave me three slits in the back of the shirt.  Then I pressed the seams so I will get a straight line to cut  (see diagram).

• The next step is to cut three pieces of contrasting fabric the length of the slits  into cone shapes to insert in the slits

• Insert cone shape contrast into slits and stitch.  (see above diagram)

• After inserting the cone shape into the slits, I began a design as you go project.

• I placed tabs from under the collar on the shoulder down to meet the cuff and enhance it with a decorative button.

• I finished the back slits by placing three covered buttons on the top of each insert of emphasis.

• To add interest to the front of the shirt and make it more roomy I added piece of the contrasting fabric down the front of the shirt.

• You can insert lace or a different colour fabric in-between.

• I am a lacy girl so I added lace for a feminine look

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• I left  the  collar stand so the dress will have a tunic collar.

I wanted the shirt fitted so I took in the sided.  this is optional.

Some shirts are tapered if this is the case you can adjust the lace using a small dart to align with the side seam so it will fit flush around the shirt.

Leave the number pinned on until the dress is complete.

• I added lace down the front for emphasis.

This is a fun project. it can be worn as a dress or with tights underneath.

• First I cut the sleeve.  I needed the extra fabric to make the gusset to insert at  the side of the shirt so  it will fit

• Then I cut 2 cone shapes from the underside of the two cut sleeves,

(see the diagram)

• However if you want the gusset to extend to the hem of the shirt the gusset will the same width to the hem of the shirt. (ie: it will be a rectangle instead of cone shape)

• Open both side of the shirt from end of sleeve to the point you want the gusset to end.

(if necessary open all the way down the side of the shirt).

• Measure around arm and cut another piece of fabric to add width to sleeve to widen.

• Join the under sleeve piece to side gusset as seen in diagram.

• (If there is enough fabric you can cut the under sleeve and side gusset as one piece without joining underarm)

• Base to secure in place before stitching.

• Sew from end of sleeve to desired point you want the gusset to end.

• For this alteration the widest part of the gusset and the under sleeve is 4″ and tapered to a cone shape since I did not want the gusset to the hem of the shirt.

• This measurement will vary depending on your personal measurements and how loose you want the shirt to fit.

• The gusset is inserted from end of sleeve to the point where you would to have the increase or to the hem of the shirt.

REVAMPING AN OUTFIT

• I wore this outfit to a wedding a few years ago.

• I recently  revamp it and made it more exciting by smocking the bottom of the skirt.

Redesigning a dress

The original dress was very simple, but I wanted to spruce it up to attend a wedding

I purchased about a 1/4 yd. of purple lace and cut out the motif pattern to make an applique

I embellished the applique with tiny pearls, beads and sequins

Then I formed a design following the shape of the wrap top, draped the skirt and formed a rosette at the waist for emphasis.  This gave the dress an entirely new look.

• In this tutorial I’ll show you how to line a sweater.

• Lining a sweater will keep the shape in tact and give added warmth.

• Suggested fabric for lining a sweater is cotton jersey or acetate, the stretch in the fabric will be malleable and will adjust to the stretch in the knitted sweater.

Always wash the sweater before lining to allow for shrinkage.

• (You don’t have to measure)  Cut the outline of the sweater leaving approximately  1 1/2 inch

• (1/2″ seam allowance  and 1″ for ease).

 

 

 

• The lining will not lie flat because it has to be slightly bigger than the actual sweater.

MAKING A SIMPLE TULLE SKIRT

Sewing tulle requires some patience.  When making a skirt in other fabric the fabric is cut lengthwise, however when making a tulle skirt it’s easier to use the length of the tulle.  The only seam will be the back seam.  

• Determine how wide you want the skirt.  If you want a very wide skirt purchase between 8 to 11 yards of tulle.  Purchase less if you don’t want it very wide.

• You will need crinoline to make the skirt stand out –  You can purchase two yards less of crinoline which is like tulle, just stiffer.  (if you purchase eight yards of tulle, purchase 6 yards of crinoline).

• You will need about one yard of lining 45″ wide.

• The crinoline can also be cut in tiers and added only at the bottom of the lining, depending on the effect you want.

• (Elastic for the waist of the lining is optional for versality so it can be worn under other skirts)

HOW TO GET A STRAIGHT EVEN CUT WITH CHIFFON 

• Cut fabric to desired length, plus 2″ for hem plus 4″ to turn over at the top to insert the gromets  (ie if the length of the finished curtain is 36″ you will need to cut the length of the fabric 36″ + 2″ for hem + 4″ for top heading = 42″.
• Next cut fabric twice the measurements of the shower rod with an extra 4″ for  – you will have a 2″ hem at both sides of the curtain.  If you are working with light weight fabric chiffon etc.,  use interfacing at the top to stabilize the fabric so you can insert the gromets.
• For the top – where the gromets will be inserted – Fold over the 4″ at the top with the interfacing between.  Stich in place.
• Fold the 2″ hem at the both sides of the curtain and stitch
• Fold the 2″ hem at the bottom and stitch.

• Draw templates on the fabric

• You can use your existing shower curtain to determine placement of the grommets.  The standard shower curtain have twelve hooks

• Place bottom grommet underneath

• Place the top grommet on top and snap into place.