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Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Men's Shirt Yesterday... Repurposed Today

For this last Project Run and Play Challenge,  I decided to PLAY while repurposing a man's shirt. So I asked my husband for some donations from his closet.


First, I decided to create a very feminine top and shorts out of the green check fabric because the fabric was a bit thicker than most shirting materials.

I used the cuffs for the shoulder straps.

I inserted a center panel so that I could create the ribbon holder loops.
The shirt buttons down the side, and I utilized the original button placket to do that easily.

The shorts have a top yoke, because I didn't have a large enough piece of fabric to cut it out and still match the check pattern. I'm glad that I solved the problem this way, as I like the added detail. I also used the front pocket on the back too.

The sleeve placket was used at the bottom of the shorts, complete with two pleats.   I think this is my favorite detail as I had never thought to use the sleeve placket in this way before.  I thought of this idea in my favorite meditation spot... the bathtub!


 Next, I used the grey, tan, red, and white plaid shirt to create this top.
Notice that the front and back yokes were cut on the diagonal.
After removing the complete collar with a seam ripper, I sewed the bottom seam together again, and cut the collar in half to create the shoulder straps.
The shirt cuff was used to create this pocket topper, and the top buttons down the back.



What to do with plain tan fabric?  This pocket I created for the top was the inspiration for the final design.
Make a few prairie points to enhance the hem.
The back of the top used the front button placket.
The collar quickly became the shoulder straps.


This top has white knit shorts, but they just don't show in the photo. 

The last dress was really the most challenging since I did not like the print. It just seemed a bit sad...especially to make something for a little girl.
So I first tried to give the fabric a "bit of love" with this fabric manipulation. 

How about a waistline belt made out of the collar... do I see a smile yet?

Buttons down the back from the front button tab... is that a grin?

Add a collar.....NO.... that didn't work, so I seam ripped it off.
Finally, I decided that I just liked the simplicity of this dress with a few special details.



I never use to repurpose clothing, but I sure do enjoy it now. I hope you enjoyed reading about my "Play." 

Men's shirt yesterday...Repurposed Today.
Smiles,
Deborah


19 comments:

  1. Adorable!! I have a bag of nice shirts (both mine and my husband's) that need re-purposing. I just love fabric in all its forms. I'm so impressed with these! You'll have to do a little tutorial on the fabric maniuplation for that last one - my daughter is loving dresses with those kinds of accents these days, and I dont know how long I have until this phase ends!! :) Thanks for sharing.

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  2. The little details (like the shirt cuff as a pocket) really make the dresses just too cute. Amazing job re-purposing the shirts!

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    1. Thanks Roxanne,
      Those pockets using the cuffs made me smile while I was sewing.
      Deborah

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  3. All these dresses are simply incredible!

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  4. Deborah, really cute refashions! I can't decide which piece I like best. Love the waistband from the collar & the pinwheel style pocket is simply brilliant!

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  5. Deb! So the seamstress! Always love your outfits for the girls, your so talented. Great job on the Re-purpose, I love that idea and the designs you came up with are just so cool! I'm gonna have to repost this! Now a follower, Carole DiMatteo

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    1. Carole,
      Thanks for becoming a follower. It was fun to come up with the different uses for the parts of the shirts.
      Deborah

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  6. You put so much detail into everything. I love repurposing clothing too. It saves me a lot of money and forces me to be creative.

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    1. Jennifer,
      Repurposing clothing has been a new source of fabric for me. It's fun to reuse the parts of the outfit in a new way.
      Thanks for your kind comments.
      Deborah

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  7. Great job on the repurposing. Love them all!

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  8. Dear Carin,
    Thanks for liking them all. My favorite is the green and white check shorts outfit.
    Deborah

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  9. I'm so impressed you made all these outfits from your husband's shirts! Everything is so very very cute! The originality and creativity in each outfit really astound me. And the results are adorable.

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    1. Thank you. You should try it...it is FUN to use the different parts of the shirt in a new way!
      Deborah

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  10. Beautiful! I just love the pinwheel pocket detail, how smart!

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  11. These are just so super-cute, and so is your adorable little model!

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  12. So cute! I really like the straps made from the collars! Great job!

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    1. Susan,
      Making the straps from collar halves is super easy. You should try it some time. If you need some help, leave me a comment and I will email you back.
      Deborah @Sew Much To Give

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  13. WOW... really wow... a lot of sewing here, and those details you added to every single pieces. I love it, it's impossible not too. I especially liked the last one.

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  14. You are so creative and have nice skills, too! I love the idea of repurposing the man's shirt. Thanks for sharing with us at Revisionary Life Thrifty Life Thursday!

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