Refashioning #1: Cropped shirt
For this first up-cycle, I decided to tackle a design I’ve wanted for long time: a cropped button up shirt. Now why did I want this piece of clothing… well, I don’t quite know. I’ve learned in recent years that cropped shirts, or any high-waisted tops, actually look better on me than I realized.
Primarily because I don’t have much of a waist (visually speaking) but that’s a too if for another day.
As for the button up, well I’d say it’s because I get sick of wearing stretchy fabrics all the time. So I just wanted to shake things up for a change.
To create this design, I decided to use an old flannel shirt, and my old favorite pair of jeans… literally, my absolute favorite growing up: I wore the thing to death given the holes in the legs!
Honestly the shirt was an impulse buy I got a few years ago from the clearance rack- hence why it was about two sizes too big! But I really love the color combination, and thought it paired nicely with other (in tact) jeans, so I typically just wore it around the house.
With winter coming soon, I thought pairing these materials together would help keep me warmer while out and about. The larger size of the shirt also works well to my advantage, because that means there’s more material to work with!
Remember: it’s always easier to take-in than it is to let-out, so when in doubt- size up.
the process itself took about 5 hours and 45 minutes total (cutting out the hour break for walkies and then lunch).
Given that my (current) personal rate is $16/hour, that means the gross labor cost comes out to about $92.
However, that’s only labor cost. As far as materials go, I’d probably add a $2 fee for use of my thread supply. It would bring the total up a little bit, but materials are pretty much already covered in up-cycling projects… you know, since the materials are already given.
Ultimately I’m pretty happy with the look! It’s something completely new to wardrobe, and the color combo is just as pretty as I imagined!
But, as I firmly believe, there’s no such thing as a perfect project. If I were going to make this top again, there’s a few things I would do differently:
I need to remember to shape the center-seam first;
(I’m so used to working with a centerfold that I honestly forget that there is a slight curve to lower back!)
I can’t get around reshaping the sleeves- the pattern is forgiving enough to hide the slight gather under the arms, but I’d look to work with more than just plaid patterns;
I don’t think I’ll make the neckline this deep again, but I do know v-necks look better on me personally (experimentation might be needed!);
I need to stay stitch the neckline before applying the bais tape (it prevents stretching) - when will I learn smh!
Plan out a small decorative trim for the hemline- it doesn’t necessarily need one, but a simple lacy detail could elevate it drastically
What other kind of trim should I use? Is there anything you’d do differently for this project? Let me in the comments section!