Peasant Blouse Refashion Tutorial

July 7, 2009 7:52 pm

This one is so easy. Too easy!! I got this vintage men’s shirt that’s off white with a slight texture to it. Mark the neckline with a pen or chalk to determine where you will cut it. As you can see, mark right along the sleeve seams then down. We are going to make an elastic gathered neckline. Cut when finished.

Here’s what it looks like. At this point, also cut the sleeves to the length you want it and the hemline to the length of the shirt you desire.

We’re, next, going to create the pocket for the elastic. I used my serger to finish the edge and then I fold it over and pin the entire neckline in place before I sew it. Make sure to leave an open pocket open to pull the elastic through.

Get your elastic and pull it through the neckline. The length will vary slightly. Mine was 32 inches.

Once you pull it through, sew the elastic ends together. Then sew your pocket shut. Here’s what you’ll have. We’re almost done. See! I told you this was easy!

Now we are going to finish off the sleeves. You could definitely just stitch them and leave be, but I wanted to add something a little different. I’ve been loving navy and white together so I wanted to make my hem tape out of navy. Determine the length you need, based off your arm band size, and cut a piece that length and about 4 inches wide.

Connect the two ends of one of the pieces and sew it together.

Then iron the seam allowences open so it doesn’t get too bulky.

What I do first is iron the band in half so I know where my middle is. Then I open it back up and iron the two edges towards the middle as shown.

Then iron those together and you have your hem tape, as pictured here!

Open the hem tape in and stuff your shirt sleeve into it and pin in place. You could gather the sleeve before hand by sewing machine or just use your eye to gather while you’re putting it in the hemtape.

Next, sew the sleeves, then finish the hem at the bottom of the shirt and you’re done!!

I think the possibibilites are endless on this one! I was thinking about adding some cute buttons to the sleeves, or addding a matching color to the hemline. You could embroider on it or put a pretty ruffle ontop of the buttons and cover that part up. This was such an easy shirt to do and I love the look of it. It’s classic and chic to me.


Here’s the blue sleeve and you cans see the slight texture to the shirt.

My sister, kindly (and begrudgingly) modeled it for me. I love it with a bright shoe that pops.


I also think it would look great with a belt around the waist.

Hope you enjoy! And please remember to add pictures to the flickr pool if you do it. I love seeing everyone’s take on these tutorials!



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Posted in refashions, women's clothing | 70 Comments »


70 Responses to “Peasant Blouse Refashion Tutorial”

  1. By Megan on Jul 9, 2009 | Reply

    that's awesome, I can't wait to try it out, my husband has tons of dress shirts that he doesn't wear anymore and are sitting in the closet. I wish I had the time to come up with such fun things

  2. By Sugar Bear on Jul 9, 2009 | Reply

    Love it! I'm so not a sewer but your blog is inspiring me to give it a try.
    Karla

  3. By Happy Together on Jul 9, 2009 | Reply

    Just like you say, super easy and cute! I'll have to give it a try

  4. By karin on Jul 9, 2009 | Reply

    *Dives into husbands closet* Great tutorial, thanks!

  5. By Jackie at 3littleones on Jul 9, 2009 | Reply

    great idea and tutorial!! I may have to give this one a try : )

  6. By Lois on Jul 9, 2009 | Reply

    You are a genius! Thanks for this tutorial. Time to look in my husband's closet.

  7. By michellejohnnie on Jul 9, 2009 | Reply

    so cute – as usual. linked at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com

  8. By Julie, Little One-of-a-Kind Design on Jul 9, 2009 | Reply

    i'm still chicken and won't cut into a shirt to try your ruffle shirt refashion…maybe i should try this one first. do you think it is easier than the ruffle one?

  9. By Laura Gerencser on Jul 9, 2009 | Reply

    This is great! I'm gonna try it!!

  10. By Oh, It's Sew Cute! on Jul 9, 2009 | Reply

    LOVE IT! My mom just told me that my dad has 132 shirts hanging in his closet so I think I'm going to have to pay them a visit to raid his stash. Thanks for sharing the tutorial!

  11. By Julie on Jul 9, 2009 | Reply

    Very cute. Now I need to find a shirt to refashion.

  12. By nicola on Jul 9, 2009 | Reply

    your entire family is gorgeous!
    glad you shared this one. this is a refashion i have done a couple of times from a tutorial on the web years and years ago. it makes a fabulous maternity blouse, as well!
    nicola
    http://whichname.blogspot.com

  13. By casserole on Jul 9, 2009 | Reply

    Thank you for posting your tutorial! I had just been wanting some peasant shirts, and was wondering if it was possible to turn a dress shirt into a blouse just like this. Now I can just follow your instructions instead of having to figure it all out on my own. :)
    I posted a link to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-mans-dress-shirt-to-womans-peasant-blouse/2009/07/09/
    –Anne

  14. By Ramona on Jul 9, 2009 | Reply

    I've been following your blog for a while, and now I need help/am having a giveaway…
    http://burkeshires.blogspot.com/2009/07/shirring-help-my-first-givaway.html
    I totally love/am inspired by all the ideas you have and would love your (and your readers) input!
    Thanks so much!
    Ramona

  15. By Leah Martineau on Jul 9, 2009 | Reply

    Ok so I'm embarrassed to say this but I don't know how to upload a picture to flickr. I made the bubble dress for my little girl and wanted to share it with you!! =)

  16. By The Coupon Monkey on Jul 10, 2009 | Reply

    LOVE THIS!! I'm so glad I found your blog – we will definitely be making this along with the bubble dress for my girls. YAY!

  17. By Aromula on Jul 10, 2009 | Reply

    OH what a great idea, thank you for sharing. And may I tell: You posted it on my birthday, what a nice little present! Thank you so much for your inspiring blog and the fotos of your lovely girlies on the beach!
    Ula

  18. By Paige on Jul 10, 2009 | Reply

    This is very cool – thanks so much for sharing. I can't wait to give it a try!

  19. By jaybird on Jul 11, 2009 | Reply

    love this… i'm so going through my dad's closet on a shirt hunt…

  20. By dana on Jul 12, 2009 | Reply

    SO gorgeous. SO simple. GREAT tutorial. Thanks for sharing. I'll have to try this!

  21. By emedoodle on Jul 12, 2009 | Reply

    So cute! I just made this – well a variation of it (since I'm terribly allergic to elastic). I had to make a couple alterations (using a draw-string instead). It turned out wonderfully and very cute! I used one of my own shirts – a bit more fitted but worked out great! Thanks for the tutorial and the great ideas!

  22. By Abby on Jul 12, 2009 | Reply

    i love this! will definitely be trying it soon:)

  23. By Jessica on Jul 12, 2009 | Reply

    Wow what a fab idea! my sewing machine has been sitting in the cupboard for years lol I tihnk you have inspired me to pull it out!! Thanks xx

  24. By luvinthemommyhood on Jul 14, 2009 | Reply

    Love it Alexis, this one looks so fun. I am going to have to go on a shirt hunt!

  25. By GoyaDesigns on Jul 15, 2009 | Reply

    Super creative and cute. I wish I hadn't just given a bunch of my husband's shirts away now. I love the idea of recycling too. I recycle beads for jewelry making when ever I can.

  26. By standing still on Jul 15, 2009 | Reply

    THAT is awesome. I could probably even do that.

  27. By Bloom Fine Art Photography on Jul 15, 2009 | Reply

    OMG, I love this…thank you so much for sharing this lovely pattern.

  28. By Bits on Jul 16, 2009 | Reply

    I just tried this, and its important for you to check the line of your shoulders with the shirt you pick. My husband had some Men's Medium dress shirts, and the shoulder line was half way down my arm. I'm going to try again and make the neckline narrower.

    I also had trouble making the "pocket" turn at the corners of the neckline, so my next effort will have a more rounded neckline.

    :-)

  29. By LimonVerde on Jul 17, 2009 | Reply

    Very very clearly explained tutorial and the idea is great.

  30. By Anonymous on Jul 17, 2009 | Reply

    read this at work yesterday, went straight home and begged shirts of boyfriend. who apparently was meaning to have a clear out. took about 30 mins to transform shirt to great top! and I have 6 more shirts to have a go at. So thank you!

  31. By weaverridgefarm on Jul 18, 2009 | Reply

    Great idea! I'm having problems creating a pocket around the curves in the neckline. Is there some trick to not making it pucker?

  32. By Leslie on Jul 18, 2009 | Reply

    this is so pretty and it looks so comfortable and fun

  33. By Anonymous on Jul 18, 2009 | Reply

    This is great. My Son-in-Law cleaned out his closet a couple of years ago and gave me all the dress shirts. I sometimes wear them around the house as they are still a little too big. Now I can make them into something I can wear anytime, anywhere.

  34. By mrs moon on Jul 20, 2009 | Reply

    genius!

    I now know what to do with my hubbys wedding shirt that has a rip in the arm which is unrepairable.

  35. By Melly Testa on Jul 20, 2009 | Reply

    I used this tutorial and made a blouse and want to upload it to flickr, can you send me a link? Otherwise, I have shown it on my blogs.

  36. By Melissa on Jul 20, 2009 | Reply

    I love this – thanks for sharing!

  37. By colorific on Jul 20, 2009 | Reply

    The shirt is cool, but I really love the flower covered surface that you are working on …

  38. By Poppy and Mei on Jul 24, 2009 | Reply

    ABSOLUTE BRILLIANCE! XXxx

  39. By Rachel R. on Jul 24, 2009 | Reply

    Just thought I'd add that it's important to remember that, since you'll be turning it under, the neckline will be a little *lower* than what you initially cut. 'Cause I made the mistake once of cutting it lower than I intended, thus making it unwearable (for my purposes, anyway) – oops.

    Thanks for the tutorial!

  40. By Alexis on Jul 25, 2009 | Reply

    I really appreciate when you gals leave feedback from your experiences. It's helpful to all of us. Thanks so much!

  41. By Gina on Jul 26, 2009 | Reply

    Fabulous, I look forward to trying this when it's closer to our summer (southern hemisphere). Just wanted to ask whether the shoulders of the shirt roughly fit you first? I have an XL man's shirt and not sure whether it needs taking in…

  42. By Abby on Jul 27, 2009 | Reply

    hooray! I made this shirt and posted about it on my blog: musingsofasnail.blogspot.com. And of course I linked to you. thanks so much for this tutorial! it was pretty easy. I think the only thing I did differently from you was to take my shirt in at the sides a bit. The shirt was a medium, but it came out a little TOO baggy for me. I was worried that the shoulders would be too baggy too, but the elastic seemed to tighten it up!

  43. By Sewicked on Jul 29, 2009 | Reply

    I'm having a blond moment; how are you attaching the navy hem tapes? Are you opening it up, sewing it right sides together, folding under & sewing it down on the inside of the sleeve?

    Or are you topstitching it on (folded around the sleeve end & sewn on)?

  44. By Anonymous on Jul 30, 2009 | Reply

    If it's lower cut than you intended you can attach a "dickie" or just wear a cami underneath.

  45. By Tiffany Bird on Aug 1, 2009 | Reply

    Love the refashion. I linked to this tutorial on my site, http://www.simplymodernmom.com.

  46. By Sarah Doyle on Aug 3, 2009 | Reply

    This is a great tutorial. We've posted it on our SewingBusiness.com blog – http://sewingbusiness.com/2009/07/29/repurposing-garments-to-sell.aspx Thanks again for the information.

    Sarah J Doyle
    http://PatternsThatFitYou.com
    http://SarahJDoyle.com blog

  47. By Myrnie on Aug 9, 2009 | Reply

    I LOVED this shirt, I've had it bookmarked forever! But…where is your flickr pool? I'd love to see more examples, I'm really a visual learner :)

  48. By Ang-e on Aug 28, 2009 | Reply

    You are a GENIUS!

  49. By Becky on Sep 11, 2009 | Reply

    This is great! I even have a shirt of my husband's he never wears. I may try it today!

  50. By jess on Sep 21, 2009 | Reply

    awesome! i made a shirt using this tutorial and it was so easy and came out so great! thanks for posting! here's the link:

    http://theadventuresofroryandjess.blogspot.com/2009/09/gaining-confidence.html

    :D

  51. By disa on Sep 24, 2009 | Reply

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  52. By Steph on Oct 2, 2009 | Reply

    Thanks for the great idea. I'm addicted to refashioning men's shirts, and was really excited to see your fresh approach. I whipped one up yesterday out of a red and blue plaid shirt– I'll have to get a picture and add it to the flickr pool.

  53. By Sturre Family on Oct 7, 2009 | Reply

    Thanks so much for your tutorial, you've provided lots of inspiration for me. I've just added my version to your flickr pool! (Cricket76)

  54. By Ginger on Jan 2, 2010 | Reply

    I am with everyone else this tutorial awesome bravo!!
    thank you so much for sharing it with us!

  55. By Tracy in Indianapolis on Jan 30, 2010 | Reply

    Thanks for the time-saving idea! I need to make peasant tops for a high school function (costuming the parent volunteers). This is great.

  56. By Ashley on Mar 29, 2010 | Reply

    I just wanted to let you know that I just finished this shirt and I LOVE it! I am pregnant and just left the length of my husbands shirt the same to cover my growing belly. Its sooo darling! Its a light blue and white pin stripe, and I added a salmon colored rosette to the chest. Thanks for the tutorial!

  57. By Nana on Mar 31, 2010 | Reply

    Very cool idea. I have some shirts of my husband he never wears I could do this with, and what an option for the thrift store.

  58. By Darla on Apr 10, 2010 | Reply

    I love this shirt! My husband too has a bunch of cute plaid shirts that he never wears! I am currently 8 weeks pregnant so I can use this pattern and others on your site to make some chic maternity tops. Thanks! You are brilliant! (By-the-way, I have the same ironing board cover. ;) )

  59. By Desi Wilson on May 17, 2010 | Reply

    Oh, thanks soooooo much for sharing your great idea. Being a new sewer, I actually think I can do this!
    Desi

  60. By Mrs. M on Jul 21, 2010 | Reply

    I tried it! And it turned out pretty good. Looking forward to converting two other mens shirts I have on hand.
    There’s a little shout out on my blog with a link to this tutorial. Hopefully newcomers will find their way to you.
    Thanks Lex!

  61. By Diane on Oct 4, 2010 | Reply

    I LOVE silk. I buy a lot of silk shirts from yard sales and second-hand stores, but I don’t wear them very often because I HATE collars. This is the perfect solution! Thank you ~ Diane

  62. By keerthana on Feb 9, 2011 | Reply

    http://gofashionz.blogspot.com/2011/02/upcycled-bulk-shirt.html
    here is the one i made seeing your tutorial! thank you!! i love the top! i used a satin ribbon instead of the elastic! thanks!
    also you can use the collar with other tops.

  63. By Chelsea on May 31, 2011 | Reply

    AWSOME tutorial; and great idea!!!!!!!!! Am so inlove right now, and raiding through boyfriends shirts !!!!!

  64. By Hannah on Aug 24, 2011 | Reply

    wow this is AMAZING!!! im going to be raiding my dads closet tomorrow and going to make one!!!! THANKS I LOVE YOUR WORK!!!

  65. By Lizzy on Oct 24, 2012 | Reply

    Thanks for the tutorial. I’ve actually made it twice now. The second one I made with a men’s 2XL t-shirt instead of a dress shirt. Here is the link:

    http://lizspinspiration.blogspot.com/2012/10/t-shirt-makeover.html

  66. By Sarah Lenore on Feb 25, 2013 | Reply

    I tried doing this with an old shirt of my partner’s and had a number of problems. The biggest one was that when I cut the neckline down I ended up cutting through some of the darting on the back and had waaaaaay too much fabric. Any tips on how to deal with that? Had anyone else had a similar problem?

  1. 4 Trackback(s)

  2. May 19, 2010: Great Things to Do with Men’s Dress Shirts… « Open Source Stitches
  3. Jun 16, 2010: How to Refashion a Men’s Shirt | FaveCraftsBlog
  4. Jun 17, 2010: How to Refashion a Men's Shirt | FaveCraftsBlog | Sewing Suppliers
  5. Mar 21, 2011: One

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