Tutorial: Silk Shirt Refashion

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  That's okay, though, because I know an incredibly simple technique for refashioning an outdated button-up, and today I want to share it with all of you!

What you'll need: it 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.



Step 4: 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 neckhole, I hid the raw seam by folding over twice, pressed, and stiched.  I've been on a hand sewing kick lately, so I did this by hand, but you could easily use a machine.

(pardon my nails - I'd been cleaning Polaroids with a Magic Eraser earlier in the day, and it's not a great activity for a manicure!)


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!