OK, now back to our regularly scheduled programming…
“Life is trying things to see if they work.”
-Ray Bradbury
This shirt and post are the perfect examples of Ray Bradbury’s quote. When I started out redesigning this shirt,
I wasn’t really sure where I was going with it. I knew it needed to be smaller. But other than that, it was just trying things to see if they worked.
I love how the sleeves turned out, but that only happened after several different attempts at sleeve treatments.
Not to mention, I tried an animated GIF to see if it would work.
It did.
SAH-WHEAT!!!!
![[gickr.com]_bbb212ed-a675-ae04-c113-1b9c0832b32d](https://chicenvelopements.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/gickr-com_bbb212ed-a675-ae04-c113-1b9c0832b32d.gif)
If you’re interested in learning how to make an animated GIF, go to gickr.com. My funny blogging friend Rarasaur turned me on to it. It’s SUPER fun and easy to do.
Now on to redesigning this polka dot shirt.
Right sides together, pin and sew the sleeves back into the armhole.
Now, excuse me while I go find that ruggedly handsome contractor husband of mine. He needs to take me out to dinner in my new shirt.
You might also enjoy:
And just in case you haven’t heard my exciting news….. 🙂
The Renegade Seamstress 
i recently joined your blog, you remind me a lot to my grandmother. Not cuz you look like her but cuz she used to be a lot like you, always creating and making new stuff. You know, tape measure around her neck, pair of scissors in hand and a pair of pins on her shirt. She could make a pretty dress literally from anything.
she taught me the basics of sewing back then but she passed away 7 years ago. The thing is i want to retake what she taught me, so i rolled up my sleeves and try to make her old sewing machine work, after several tries from my side, then my dad´s and finally a technician. i got a brand new machine, which i dont remmeber how to use lol so i will need a lot of your help, if you could… what would you suggest me to start with? i really wish i was as talented as you and im thinking about copy cat some of your creations but i think i should start with something easy..
what would you suggest?
Ana
Hi Ana,
Your Grandmother sounded like an amazing seamstress. I’m flattered that I remind you of her.
I would say, if you’re just starting out, to to try the Ruffled T Shirt Cardigan. The tutorial is here: https://chicenvelopements.wordpress.com/2012/04/15/1998/ Its a quick and easy project. I love my ruffled cardigans and I wear them all the time.
Then try the T Shirt Shrug here: https://chicenvelopements.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/five-minute-t-shirt-shrug-tutorial/ Its another fun and easy project.
The beauty of using T Shirts at first is you don’t have to worry about the raw edges fraying.
If you like Maxi Dresses, try this one: https://chicenvelopements.wordpress.com/2012/07/02/easy-diy-maxi-dress-in-fifteen-minutes-or-less/
Have fun and let me know if you need any help!
Beth
i havent open my new sewing machine box yet but i will for sure have some questions soon, i dont know if you share your email address but if you do, we could keep in touch.
thanks a lot!
and you know what Ray Bradbury was right!! 🙂
Sure, Ana, my email is bhunting@eoni.com
I’d love to see pictures of your projects!!
great job!
Thank you, Cathy!
I am such and ‘inside the box’ sewist and really want to venture out of the box. Your ideas have inspired me! I can’t wait to visit the thrift stores and give redesigning a try.
Oh, Janet, that is good news. I think once you try this, you’ll love it. Let me know if I can help.
Beth
Hey… Wonderful News about your book!! I’m excited for your new venture! Sending happy energy your way! 🙂
Thank you for being excited about the book, Virginia! It makes this whole adventure much more fun to share it with nice people like you!!!
Congratulations on your book deal!
I think this shirt has to be one of my favorites of your alterations. I love the result, and boy, do you look great in it! You always make the alterations seem very easy – I will have to try sometime soon. Thank you – Julie
Thank you, Julie! I really don’t think you can go wrong with navy and white polka dots!! In my opinion, they look great on anything! I hope you do try to alter something soon. Just a word of warning though, once you start, you might not be able to stop. It’s quite addicting. 🙂
I love this shirt! You are amazing! the polka dots + white pants are so cute.
Thanks so much, Nout! In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with a polka dot!!!
Happy sewing!
Beth
I love all your creations but am so afraid to cut into anything. I’ve always been very good at following patterns, reading music but not veering off of what someone else has done. It seems like I can’t figure out how you know how much to cut off the sleeve openings so they will reattach properly. Thanks for inspiring so many people.
Thank you, Gene! I used to be a pattern following kind of gal myself. It was hard, but as soon as I made that first cut into an existing garment, I was hooked and I’ve never looked back. I still use patterns once in awhile, but I love to not have to rely on one.
Good luck and Happy Sewing!
Beth
Thanks Beth, I am going to get a garment and begin.
Good luck and let me know if you have any questions!!
This is an amazing refashion, super stylish and feminine. I am so excited about your book. Can’t wait to buy it. Congrats.
Thank you so much, Trudy!! Hope all is well in your world!
Sweet refashion – I love your site. Question: Do you just CUT the seams or do you use a seam ripper? I have a hard time just cutting into something… There are so many items at the resale shop that are just a tad too big – this is perfect!!!! You ROCK!
Thank you, Debra! Most of the time, I just cut the seams, especially if it’s too big because you’re going to have to get rid of some fabric anyway. That being said, there are some times when I pick the seams with a seam ripper. Usually so I can keep a nice edge finish or if I want to save the seaming. Have fun with this, once you start, the possibilities are endless!
Beth
Awesome refashion! CONGRATULATIONS! on your book. I hope it’s sewing related 😉
Thank you, Barbara! Yep, definitely sewing related!!!
I love all your refashions. You are amazingly talented and inspire me to try something new.
Thank you so much, Ann!
Happy Refashioning!
Beth
Congratulations! I love your redesigns! Since i work at a library I’ll make sure we get a copy of it!
Oh, that would be wonderful! Thanks!!
This is really lovely, and most inspiring.
Thank you, Joni! Let me know if you try this, I’d love to see pictures!
Pingback: Tutorial: Open top sleeve blouse refashion · Sewing | CraftGossip.com
Wow! You really transformed that blouse!! I’m loving the open sleeves and V neck!! I’ve posted on Craft Gossip with a link to your tutorial:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/?p=66317
–Anne
Thank you so much, Anne!!!
You are fabulous! Love the whole outfit, you look so stylish and fun! Congratulations on your book, I look forward to making sure my library orders a copy.
Thank you for your sweet comments!
I love the finished look! Just to clarify, the darts are in the front and back bodice, but not in the lower edge? And the gathering was done to the lower edge only, to fit the bodice?
Hi Judy,
Yes, you’re right, the darts are only in the front and back bodice and the gathers are on the bottom piece.
Have fun and let me know how it goes.
Beth
The shirt looks amazing, especially the sleeves! I loved the gif, too… it really showed off the views effectively. 😀
And, if I didn’t already say it— CONGRATULATIONS!!! 😀
Thanks so much! And thanks for showing me how to do a GIF. When we did that photo shoot, I wasn’t planning a GIF so next time I’m going to make sure the background stays the same.
Pingback: Tutorial: Open top sleeve blouse refashion | Sewing Patterns
Woah!!! The before is so terrifying and after….beautiful! Such a lovely elegant top, looks great on you. And, I am so all over that animated gif lesson. Going there now. I’ve just been introduced to photo collaging and am now obsessed. My latest blogpost (here: http://gjeometry.com/2013/08/15/still-loving-the-1920s-drop-waist-dress/ ) allows you to do all kinds of collages and photo finishes all for free. But, I’ve not tried the animated one yet. Thanks for the link!
Thank you!! I know you’ll have fun with the GIF, let me know when you have your first one posted, I’d love to see it!
Ok, will do! Just did a post today, so will play around with it for my next blog post.
That shirt looks amazing and the sleeves are inspiring.
Thank you!!
Cute! Not something I would wear, but good! And congrats on your book deal 🙂 is it going to be in stores and all?
Xx
Zhenya
http://beingzhenya.com
Thank you, Zhenya! And yes, the book will be in stores. 🙂
I’ve seen a lot of shirt redesigns, but I really like this one. I think I might adjust to sleeves to be more office-friendly but I definitely want to give it a try. I have several large men’s button downs that I need to do something with!
Maybe you could make the sleeve opening just near the shoulder and not so far down. If you try it, I’d love to see your version.
Beth
The shirt is great! love the sleeve styling too!
Thank you, Joen!
This looks so nice on you, especially with the white shorts. I’m so glad to hear you say that you had to try more than one thing before you found what you wanted to do and how to do it. That’s encouraging to me because I have run into several problems with my first big refashion. I must pull it out of the closet and try to keep going on it 🙂 It’s also helpful to see the garment laid out when you’re working on it, instead of on a dress form, for those of us who don’t have one.
Thanks, Jo. Yes, there are so many things that take more than one try. Sometimes, I have to put it away for awhile and work on something else until inspiration hits me on how to solve the problem. So, yes, by all means, keep trying, you’ll usually come up with something even better than you imagined at first. Let me know when you finish, I’d love to see it!
Beth
Love the polka dots, that shirt wanted a second life as a girly shirt.
Yes, it really did want to be more flirty!!
This is adorable, Beth, and it looks great on you. Love the shoes, too. And the animated gif really shows your fun personality.
Awwwwww….I wish we lived closer to each other, pretty sure we’d have fun together!
Me, too!
I want some polka dots tooooooo! Love it!
🙂 Have you started back to school yet?
Yep! Today was our annual convocation and meeting day…Yay 2013-14. Tomorrow we have training for writing, then Monday…the KIDS!
We start Monday with kids, too. Here’s to a wonderful school year!!!
I am so happy for you! CONGRATULATIONS on the book!!!! I can’t wait to get a copy of my own! How exciting! Are you willing to let us know the title? 😉 Heehee! How long will I have to wait to get my hands on it? 🙂
Also LOVE this shirt refashion. It’s so unique!
And I appreciate you sharing the links for learning GIF’s. My techie 14 y.o. showed me how to do that a couple of times, but I keep forgetting! I’ll have to pin that link on Pinterest for when he’s not around to help me! 😉
Have a great week!
~Jen
Thanks, Jen! You are just too cute!!! Can’t give out too much info about the book yet, but as soon as the “gag order” is lifted, you’ll be the first to know!! 🙂
Beth
Yay! Thanks! 😉
congrats, so very happy for you
Thanks!!!
oh ! WOW, truly a big deal
congrats, you deserve it
Thank you so much, Della!
This blouse transformation is so beautiful, Beth. You are incredible the way you can employ so many techniques to get such gorgeous results. I love the sleeves and the change in the neckline makes it so elegant. And of course the polka dots are the icing on the cake! x
I love the new blouse! Great idea and thank you for sharing with us! Have a nice day!
You have a nice day, as well, Gladys! Thank YOU for your nice comment!
Thank you so much for your easy to follow tutorial!! I can’t wait to get to the thrift store to get my sewing on!! You look amazing in the shirt!
Thank you so much Cheryl! I hope you find just the right shirt to try this. Please let me know if I can be any help. Have a wonderful day!
Beautiful! !!
Thank you!
Love your blog. I have been trying to re-fashion a man’s shirt to no avail. Thanks for the great tips.
You are so very welcome, Rose! I hope your next try is a winner. 🙂
I love your creativity! You are very talented but more importantly, you “sound” like a sweetheart from the few comments of yours that I read! Thank you for sharing this!
I have been wanting to be able to just alter a lot of my clothes that I like the material, color and/or pattern but have no shape or are out of style. I cannot wear anything like this but love it and wish I could. I am just starting out learning how to use a sewing machine but am hoping to be able to do things like this one day!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Marcy! I was right where you are when I started out. All I knew was I wanted to be able to redesign my clothes into something I would love to wear. I had to have the “just jump in feet first and give it a try” mindset. Sure there were many things that didn’t work, but I learned something important from each of those mistakes. Good luck in your sewing adventures and know that I’m rooting for you!!
Great job, ive made blouses larger by shortening long sleves for the extra fabric needed to add width. Turned out really good.
Such a GREAT idea Maxine! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Sweet dotted blouse!
Thank you Mary!
I love this! You are SO successfully creative. My My DIY upcycles- tend to look like DIY upcycles🙄. Thank you for sharing and inspiring!
You’re so very welcome! Thank YOU for your kind words!
Your blouse turned out very pretty, but, I’m assuming that you bought it at a thrift store. What about those of us who are heavier and could wear that blouse? Do you know how hard it is to find clothes that fit us that we can afford? Especially being on a low fixed income? I sew a lot and fabric is not that expensive that you couldn’t have made that blouse from scratch and saved that one for someone who can’t sew.
That is a beautiful make over I love it
VERY COOL! I LOVE IT!! THANK YOU FOR SHARING – BECAUSE ITS GONNA TAKE ME
A FEW STUDY YOUR PATTERN TIMES BEFORE IM GONNA GO FOR IT!! FORTUNATELY YOU MAKE IT LOOK EASY AND YOU EXPLAIN GREAT. THANK YOU.
VERY COOL! I LOVE IT!! THANK YOU FOR SHARING – BECAUSE ITS GONNA TAKE ME
A FEW STUDY YOUR PATTERN TIMES BEFORE IM GONNA GO FOR IT!! FORTUNATELY YOU MAKE IT LOOK EASY AND YOU EXPLAIN GREAT. THANK YOU.
You are so very welcome, Karen.
Awesome tutorial!!! Can’t wait to transform one of my husband’s old shirt!
Thank you! I’d love to see a photo when you finish.
Your skill is evident and the ideas were wonderful. I do have to say I was left with a bad taste in mouth regarding your choice of wording regarding the size of the shirt. The shirt was the correct size for you. The shirt was large for you. The shirt would have been the correct size for many women. Your choice to repeatedly refer to the shirt simply as “huge” was pretty insensitive. I get that you were thinking in terms of comparison to your own body size. Perhaps in order to gain some perspective you could post a picture of yourself in a shirt which is as proportionately small for you as this one was large. Then you could demonstrate your expertise at adjusting a garment which is too small, and could gain a little perspective from people characterizing you as “huge” in comparison to the garment or simply expressing how grossly small the item was on you. A 15 year old girl whom I’m teaching to sew clicked on your page to see the reconstruction process and… she was feeling pretty good about herself until she saw huge… huggggge… HUGE. Please rethink your wording.
Hi Sendal, My most sincere apologies for any grief my word choice caused you. I’m happy to go in and change the word huge. In the meantime, here are links to a couple of tutorials I did on how to refashion things that are too small for you. https://therenegadeseamstress.com/2014/09/06/diy-resize-a-too-small-shirt-and-dwell-in-possibility/
https://therenegadeseamstress.com/2017/07/20/make-shorts-or-pants-a-bigger-size-a-diy-one-minute-video/
https://therenegadeseamstress.com/2015/08/21/summertime-diy-make-too-small-pants-into-shorts/
https://www.ehow.com/how_12343032_make-leather-skirt-bigger.html
https://www.ehow.com/how_6344581_make-pants-bigger-size.html
https://therenegadeseamstress.com/2015/03/14/get-more-life-out-of-a-too-small-dress/
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful response to the input. I cannot wait to share this with my student next Tuesday!
I absolutely love your shirt remake.
Fabulous look