Did you find a cute silk shirt at the thrift store you’d like to refashion? Alli of the now defunct One Pearl Button blog has your back!
When I’m thrifting, I shop as much with my hands as with my eyes. As long as you’re at a reasonably priced thrift store, high quality cashmere and silk are always worth buying, so I’m on a constant hunt for them.
When I came across this silk shirt on the dollar rack, I knew immediately that it was coming home with me. The fabric was thick, soft, and beautiful – it was clearly the highest quality silk, and I wanted to wear it everyday. The only problem? Um…it wasn’t quite my style.
That’s okay, though, because I know an incredibly simple technique for refashioning an outdated button-up, and today I want to share it with all of you!
How to refashion a silk shirt
What you’ll need:
Iit doesn’t get much easier than this one; all you’ll need is a button-up and some basic sewing supplies (you don’t even need a machine!)
Step 1:
Pick out a good Pandora station (I went with New Slang by The Shins).
Okay, I suppose this step is optional, but Step 2 can take a little while, so I recommend finding something to keep yourself entertained.
Step 2:
Use a seam ripper to carefully remove the sleeves and collar of the shirt, keeping the seam allowances as neat as possible.
Step 3:
Chose which side of the shirt will be the front (I wanted mine to button up the back, so I reversed front and back), fold the front of your shirt in half with the shoulder seams lined up, and draw on a new neckline. I traced the neckline of another shirt to make it nice and easy.
Chose which side of the shirt will be the front (I wanted mine to button up the back, so I reversed front and back), fold the front of your shirt in half with the shoulder seams lined up, and draw on a new neckline. I traced the neckline of another shirt to make it nice and easy.
Step 4:
Cut along your traced line.
Cut along your traced line.
Step 5:
Hem the raw edges. For the armholes, I simply folded the original seam allowance over once and stitched in place (no need to press!). For the neck hole, I hid the raw seam by folding over twice, pressed, and stitched. I’ve been on a hand sewing kick lately, so I did this by hand, but you could easily use a machine.
Hem the raw edges. For the armholes, I simply folded the original seam allowance over once and stitched in place (no need to press!). For the neck hole, I hid the raw seam by folding over twice, pressed, and stitched. I’ve been on a hand sewing kick lately, so I did this by hand, but you could easily use a machine.
Annnnnd done! Now you have a pretty, modern shell, perfect for the hot weather that’s coming or for layering on chillier days. I wore mine to watch the Cincinnati Rollergirls destroy Dayton and Fort Wayne on Saturday night – fun!
(I realized after looking at this shot that I should tack up the back so it doesn’t gape open – oops!)
I’d love to see photos, if you give it a try!
Ooh! I was about to give a silk shirt of mine to charity as Ive lost the love for it! Awesome! Just in time for summer!
Love this- and it looks simple enough that even I could manage it! Very excited to give it a go, will have to resist the urge of going home and cutting up any old top :-p
Oooh, I saw a silk shirt in a beautiful olive green at the local Red Cross charity shop a while ago, but didn't buy it because I didn't like the style (similar to the shirt you found). Now I think I need to go back and see if it's still there…
oh my god – genius! i love it!
This is the best mod I've seen in a really long time. Thanks!
That looks really cool! I should try this.
Thanks for sharing. I love that you don't need a machine. I am hopeless on a sewing machine but actually enjoy pottering round with a needle and thread. Will keep this in mind 🙂
This doesn't look too impossible, I might actually give it a try since I don't have to use my machine, and by that i mean, attempt to use my machine.
I love this! I want that shirt 😀
You are ridiculously clever. The shirt looks awesome.
Love the shirt now, so much more stylish. AND I have a greyhound too, aren't they just the best?! – Emma (from The Written Nerd)
This is amazing! I'm definitely going to try this, and I have the perfect shirt for it!
Hi! 🙂
I love this so much, I featured it in a blog post! 😀 Keep up the great work 🙂
Here's the link:
http://thegentleflower.blogspot.no/2012/08/up-cycled-crafts-clothing-home-decor.html
Katrine 🙂
thegentleflower.blogspot.com