From Drab to Fab

December 30, 2009 3:58 pm

If you’re like me, you have quite a few of those shirts laying around that aren’t really nice enough to wear out of the house anymore. I had quite a few and was wondering what to do with them.. Then I remembered that my favorite lounging shirt was this one that I had that is sort of slouchy and hangs off the shoulder. It makes me feel feminine, dare I say, a tad sexy?? So I thought to myself, ‘why not turn these yucky old tees in to something that will make me feel the way that shirt does?’
So journey along with me into an easy tutorial to durn drab into fabulous! Here’s the shirt I’m starting with. One of your old hubby’s t’s would work great, too.
Cut the neckline out. I do it a little higher in the back, a little lower in thr front. You can measure your shoulders to see the width you want it. You could be done here. But I’m making this one extra special!

I cut my sleeves so they would be 3/4 length.

Then I took some leftover sleeve parts and made little strips about 6 inches long. I just folded them in the center and stitched them closed. We’re going to make sleeve pick ups!
Put th epick up in the sleeve and figure out how high you want it to pick up.

Fold the other end up and pin in place. Then stitch it.
Now for a dainty extra detail. I saw somehting like this on Grossgrain recently so this flower is based off of one of hers. I used a similar colored stretch silk that I used in the Stillwater top. Cut out circles, about 10 for each flower.
Using a thread and needle, fold in half and string them through.

Here’s how it will look after you put them all on.


I didn’t want to worry about usinf fray check on all these every time I have to wash the shirt, so I wanted to set mine on a seperate pin so I could remove them before washing them. I cut out a small circle of felt. The just stitch the flower on.
I added a small pearl in the middle of mine.

Then glue on pins to the backside.

Aren’t they just lovely??
Pin them on the top of the pick up.
And here’s your cozy, feminine new shirt.
I love the extra detail at the sleeves.

It felt good to turn something so pajama-ish into something still equally cozy, but much more attractive.
Because being a mom has a way of taking that out of the daily, ordinary life. And its nice to find tiny ways to put a touch of femininity back in somewhere.

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Posted in refashions, women's clothing | 21 Comments »


21 Responses to “From Drab to Fab”

  1. By Anonymous on Dec 30, 2009 | Reply

    I love your ideas! You are so fab! Have you ever checked out Mod Cloth online for ideas?

  2. By Mrs. M on Dec 30, 2009 | Reply

    Great refashion!
    I'm loving all the feminine details that are easily and affordably being brought back to life….as you say…stay at home momness can take that away out of necessity & busyness etc. Thanks for spicing things up!

  3. By Cee on Dec 30, 2009 | Reply

    Must try this before summer vacation! I work full time right now (at a school), but my SAH job starts back June-September. Feeling your best because you look your best really goes a long way!

  4. By Disney on Dec 30, 2009 | Reply

    Sexy lady!! I love this. I totally know the feeling you're talking about, I have a grey sweatshirt like this, and I love it! I never wear it out of the house though, I'm not brave enough! :o )

  5. By casserole on Dec 30, 2009 | Reply

    Fabulous!!! I featured your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-off-the-shoulder-t-shirt-refashion/2009/12/30/
    –Anne

  6. By Staci Danford on Dec 30, 2009 | Reply

    So wonderful!!!! I have just recently found your BLOg and feel like I have received my early birthday present.. What incredible ideas and talent you have.. I have searched back as far as I could before my kids called me back to reality… JUST LOVE it.. Can't wait to make something great..
    Staci

  7. By Cassandra on Dec 30, 2009 | Reply

    I love t shirts done up special. This is lovely!

  8. By Sonia on Dec 30, 2009 | Reply

    totally adorable how the shirt came up..thanx for the idea…!!

  9. By Trudy Callan on Dec 30, 2009 | Reply

    Fabulous.

  10. By Ronda on Dec 31, 2009 | Reply

    I love this and your other turorials. Can I ask how you launder your creations?

  11. By locke24 on Dec 31, 2009 | Reply

    i've been trying to make something new with my "old clothes" thanks for the great idea :) you're truly fab!

    Happy New Year!

  12. By Amanda Kay on Dec 31, 2009 | Reply

    Thanks for the idea! I have to go through my shirts, because I know I have plenty that I never wear!! After the new year I plan to try many of your things!

  13. By sofia's sketchbook on Dec 31, 2009 | Reply

    so romantic!!!!! and sexy!!!!!
    happy new year!!!

  14. By katevet on Jan 1, 2010 | Reply

    that's so sexy! great tutorial :) thank you

  15. By Oh Holland! on Jan 1, 2010 | Reply

    So pretty! Can I get away with wearing something like that with a pretty bra strap showing? Because I certainly can't go without…

  16. By chrisstephaniekate on Jan 2, 2010 | Reply

    That post is really fun and inspiring. I just found your blog today (1/2/10). Great ideas, thanks for the tip on making the flowers.

    I had a friend that used to make skirts out of old pillow cases. I have saved a ton I found at garage sales over the years and I am so tempted to try it, have you ever tried anything like that, I canimagine you would come up with something really cute!

  17. By Anonymous on Jan 15, 2010 | Reply

    I just stumbled upon your blog. I am inspired! Stay at home mommy-ing tends to put me in a fashion slump, but this shirt and your Stillwater outfit made me swoon. I'm ready to perk up my wardrobe! Thank you for the wonderful ideas.

  18. By Amy on Feb 14, 2010 | Reply

    You inspired me to refashion this

    http://thecraftytravellingbookworm.wordpress.com/

    All I need is for spring to come so I can wear it!

    Thank You :o )

  19. By S.Dbizarre on Jan 22, 2012 | Reply

    I found a link to this pattern on freeneedle, and I actually really like it! Good job, chica!

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