Blouse Refashion Tutorial
June 7, 2009 1:25 pmTime for a tutorial!! I’m trying to do some refashioning tutorials so you can just use things you already have laying around and don’t need to go buy fabric! This one is pretty simple and has GREAT turnout! All you need is an old blouse of yours or an old men’s shirt. We’re going to turn it into a tailored tunic with a pleated neckline.
Take your shirt and cut off the sleeves and the neckline. Cut the neckline to your own desire! (Don’t throw away your sleeves!)
Iron the sleeves open so there are no wrinkles.
With your 2 open sleeves, cut 4 strips that are even in width. We are going to sew them together soon. Here’s what you should have at this point.
Take your 4 sleeves and sew them together to create one long piece. Measure your neckline and make sure you have almost double the length on the ruffle piece.
If you need to, trim the edges at this point to make sure that you have nice, straight edges.
Take the long strip and fold it inside out in half and sew it together.
After sewing, turn it right side and iron it so you have a nice, crisp seam.
Now it’s time to attach the ruffles to the neckline. Start with the shoulder and make little pleats, however frequent you want them. Pin each pleat to the shirt.
Here’s what it should look like.
Sew the pleats to the blouse.
I attached hem tape to the collar and the arm holes. If you’d prefer not to, you can just leave it with the open stitch and seam your armholes.
This is what it looks like when it’s done!
And here I am, with it belted!
..and add some jewelry….
This is such an easy project! Here are a couple notes: If you use a men’s shirt, you would have to tailor the shirt down to your size. If you’re using a shirt that already fits you, there’s no resizing necessary. Also, you can do ruffles at the neckline instead of pleats if you’d like.
I’m very new to the tutorials so I would LOVE feedback as to how to make them easy to understand, or any other constructive criticism. This week I’m going to be posting another tutorial for a kids refashioning AND a REALLY easy way to spice up a tank top which doesn’t even require a sewing machine! So stay tuned!!
Tags: men's shirt, shirt, tank, top
Posted in refashions, women's clothing | 35 Comments »
35 Responses
to “Blouse Refashion Tutorial”
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- Mar 21, 2011: One
By luvinthemommyhood on Jun 7, 2009 | Reply
Wow! Love it! It looks wonderful on you! Great job Alexis
By The Marheineke Family on Jun 8, 2009 | Reply
that is the shirt you wore last night! I loved it! you rock alexis, i don't think i could ever learn to sew! sad i know, but maybe one day!
By Rachel@oneprettything.com on Jun 8, 2009 | Reply
WOW-that's gorgeous! I found your blog via lovinthemommyhood and I'm so glad I did. I totally want to make this shirt! I'd love to link to it as well if you didn't mind. And I'll be adding you to my Reader as well, I don't want to miss any of your projects!
By Flash on Jun 8, 2009 | Reply
Very nice! It looks so comfortable.
By Snowbird on Jun 8, 2009 | Reply
Thank you so much!! I have a similar shirt that I wanted to do this exact thing to…now I can see the after before I cut anything!!
By maracavallaro on Jun 8, 2009 | Reply
this is so cute! It's the first post I've read and actually felt like I could follow the instructions. I can't wait to try it!
By Alexis on Jun 8, 2009 | Reply
I can't wait to see how they turn out. Show me pics and I'll post them! I'm so happy people are going to try it!
By Lee on Jun 8, 2009 | Reply
I found you from Craft and I'm also adding you to my reader! You are so creative. I LOVE this blouse. As soon as I pluck up the courage to try it out, you will be the first to know! Awesome tute!
By Earth Mama on Jun 8, 2009 | Reply
Gorgeous! Looks like another trip to the op shop for me!
By jen on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
LOVE IT! One question, next time you cut holes for the arms, can you show how to seam them. I would love to try this one day. I just don't know how to yet.
By Meg on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
That is fantastic! My husband isn't throwing any more shirts away now!
By asminhascosturas-cat on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
I love this tutorial. Maybe I'll try this too.
By artycrafty on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
amaizing! love how you thought of this
By Anonymous on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
This is great, very easy to understand! Great job, I've gotta try this!
By Julie Bouésso on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
Lovely family, great blog & wonderful sewing projects? I think I’ll follow along for a while!
Cheers, Julie
By TeresaR on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
This is brilliant! You're brilliant! An absolutely wonderful remake. Thank you!
By casserole on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
Why, oh, why do I have a job this summer?? I want to chuck all my reponsibilities and sew this blouse right away!!
I posted a link to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing: http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-refashion-a-dress-shirt-to-a-sleeveless-blouse/2009/06/09/
–Anne
By Alexis on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
Thanks so much Anne!!
By A.K. Miles on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
Great tutorial, super easy to understand. thank you
By GeorgiaPeachez on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
This is just so fabulous! I can't wait to hit the thrift store looking for a shirt to refashion. xo, suzy
By Anonymous on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
This is so great! I have a shirt I was about to throw out, but I'm going to try this with it.
As far as the tutorial – I think you did a really good job. I was confused the first time I read it, though, because the directions about sewing the pleats to the neckline came before the note about using hem tape on the edge.
By Alexis on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
Well, I actually did sew the pleats to the neckline to secure it first, then added the hemtape. Sort of like basting it.
By Bethel of Bethania on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
G'day Alexis,
You have done a wonderful job with your tut & shirt + given me a great idea… I wear men's shirts as I'm on the larger side of the scale & your tut has given me an idea or too about how I can improve the look of the men's shirt… thanks… OOroo… Bethel
By liz on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
great idea – and i think i like the shirt even better than the way it was before!
By samsstuff on Jun 10, 2009 | Reply
Good idea. Thanks for posting! I do like the shirt better now. Very cute & the belt is the perfect accessory.
By JS on Jun 11, 2009 | Reply
This is a great tutorial! I like your belt.
By macy on Jul 8, 2009 | Reply
Wow! Good job! I have some old but nice Dickies scrubs which can be repaired as well.
You just gave me a brilliant idea… Thanks!
By umama on Jul 16, 2009 | Reply
I just followed your blog from You Are My Fave..
and love it!!!
Your tutorials are great! The picture by picture steps really help… It is so funny, because I was in a thrift store the other day and saw a great button down- but I HATE button downs! This one I would wear… Now I want to go back to the store just to do this lil' project!
By Anonymous on Jul 22, 2009 | Reply
I'm excited to try this, but I was just wondering if the shirt unbottons all the way to the top or how you get it off/on otherwise.
;o)
By Anonymous on Sep 1, 2009 | Reply
could you show how to add a pleat in front of a blouse. i have blouse but i have gotten ummm fatter and it fits but tight. thinking of adding a pleat in front. thanks for any info.
By disa on Sep 24, 2009 | Reply
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By Miriam on Mar 16, 2010 | Reply
Great shirt … I love it!
Quick question do the pleats go all around the neck.. Including the back?
By Alexis on Mar 16, 2010 | Reply
No, I just did them around the collar. But you could go all the way around the back.
By Kudzu on May 16, 2010 | Reply
oh, how cute! this is going on my ‘to-do’ list:D i’d like to do a maternity version for my daughter
kudzu