I showed this blouse a while back and received several requests for a tutorial. Unfortunately, I didn’t document the process very well as I was just experimenting around. I’m not a professional sewer, so these steps are just to show what I did and are not intended as instructions!
Earlier this year, I couldn’t get enough of feminine tie-neck blouses. I wasn’t in love with the options out on the market due to either fit, quality, or price points, thus ventured out to Savers thrift store. I zoomed through the racks looking for items that were:
– either in nice fabrics (silk, wool, etc) or interesting prints
– had a collar
– affordable enough to experiment with
I like shopping thrift stores for “fabric” versus going to regular fabric stores, because you can find nice, unique materials for cheap, plus, you can take advantage of existing features like button plackets or collars. It’s all about seeing the potential. The collar feature was key for me, as it makes a piece so much more versatile (see last photo in post). After a dizzying spin through the store, I ended up with this monster of a dowdy shirt for $2.99:
Using a loosely-cut sleeveless blouse from H&M; as a template, I dissected the shirt into five pieces: 1 torso, 2 pieces from sleeves to join together as the necktie, and 2 pieces from sleeves to finish raw edges on the armholes…
After snipping off the sleeves and slimming the sides of the torso, I noticed a fit issue. There was an unsightly gap, almost like an air bubble, near the armpit. Professional sewers would’ve known better to insert bust darts ahead of time, but I learned my lesson afterwards. The purpose of bust darts are simple – the front of your body is not flat as a sheet, so darts are necessary for allowing the fabric to contour against the curved portion of your chest and arms.
Next, you may have noticed that the edges of the armholes were raw and unsightly after the sleeves got snipped off. I’m sure there are a few ways to take care of this, but I ended up using some material from the sleeves to wrap around the raw edges.
Finally, I joined together the long sleeve strips to make the neck tie. The two strips were not long enough to tie a blow, so I had to salvage more scraps here and there to add a third joint. Definitely making use of every last bit of the $2.99!
I’ve also worn this blouse with a solid black sash as the tie and it worked nicely. If you have existing collared blouses – try looping a long, thin sash (or fabric belts from other garments) around the neck to add some bow-tie flavor. Just make sure the material is lightweight or else it will droop heavily and not retain a perky bow shape.
On a last note, many of you have asked for sewing machine recommendations. I’ve used the same old Brother machine for over 10 years. The model is no longer made, but it has just the basic few stitches and has served me well as a beginner’s machine. It looks very similar to this lightweight 10-stitch Brother machine which is more affordable than most options.
Wow! Thrift shopping score! Great $3 blouse and amazing tutorial! I don't know if I have what it takes to completely turn around a shirt.
My DIY is limited to pillow covers or seat covers.
Helen
You did a really good job Jean, and thanks for the tutorial.I love sewing, but haven't done any since I moved to the US. Planning to buy a machine soon and get back to it 🙂
1000% improvement!
Genious!
that is such an amazing transformation!! sooooo pretty Jean! love how you paired the polka dot top with the nude/pink dress!
Laura x
demure-porcelain.blogspot.com
magical!~!~ i wish i had an "eye" for seeing a thrift pieces and their potential. may have to look twice before i throw something away next time. great post x
i wish i knew how to sew.. great work doll =]
That's pretty amazing! It looks absolutely wonderful! You are so talented 🙂
Maria
http://www.daintyanddecadent.com
That looks like a professional job to me! Very inspiring, Jean! Thank you so much for sharing this, and all your other posts, I find them so so helpful!
wow great DIY!
http://silviainvenice.blogspot.it/
Oh and sewing machines – I recommend this Singer from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/SINGER-4411-Heavy-Sewing-Machine/dp/B003VWXZKG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid;=1337760466&sr;=8-2
It's well-priced ($127 + free ship, can sew heavier duty fabrics and stitches so much more consistently than my cheapie Brother from Wal-Mart (Mom used to have an older Brother that worked marvelously but it seems like the newer, economy line has suffered in quality).
Very nice, Jean! I'm glad you decided to make this DIY into a full post because it turned out so beautifully and looks like you sewed it from scratch rather than a refashioned garment.
If you're interested in other sleeve finishing options, here are 2 that I've used in the past: 1. Sew bias tape (purchased for under $2 or self-made) to the edge, fold in, and secure fold with a line of stitching. This allows you to have a narrower look like the H&M; top. 2. If you have additional fabric, create a facing for each armhole. This allows you a finished look without a visible sewn edge. For example, would look like the armholes of a lined sleeveless top without having to line the entire top. Eek, this makes more sense in my head than typed out. Let me know if you have questions 🙂
I love this post Jean – I think you did a fabulous job on this shirt…professional sewer or not! I've never thought to repurpose a dowdy blouse like this, but now you have my cogwheels spinning. I love to get treasures at the thrift store and fix them up. I just finished drafting a blog post for tomorrow with a red skirt I found at Goodwill for $5. All I had to do was hem it. 😉
Aww..cool!
I wanna make something like this from my old blouse ^.^
Always making everything look so good… and so easy! If it were me, I'd probably have sewn my finger… that's actually happened to me once :X Love your DIY posts as usual!
aneyeforfashion.blogspot.com
Wow, love this transformation! Only if my sewing machine isn't broken… haha
Ayumi
http://www.chibi-chic.com
Inspiring! This post encouraged me to pull out my sewing machine I bought years ago. I'm sure the skills acquired in my one semester of beginning sewing will come back to me once I keep at it. =)
What an awesome change! You are such an inspiration for altering clothes you already have!
http://fiveminutefashions.blogspot.com/
Wow, really nice transformation. You're a talented seamstress!
This is so cool! You're such an inspiration 🙂
Love the polkadots too…
http://www.theyoungertwingirl.blogspot.com
Wow! You did an amazing job altering that top!! I agree with Kelly…you're getting good!!
You are making me want to bring my sewing machine to my house(stored at parents…like a lot of things!)
Holy moly! Gorgeous transformation, Jean! You're getting REALLY good at this stuff. When is your petite clothing line coming out? 😉
I don't think I have the patience for a project like that. I bought a skirt on super sale that had loose threads in the embroidery, and after a few sad attempts to fix them myself, I just handed it to my tailor to fix. I think I'm more of a "throw money at the problem" kind of person than a DIY'er. =(
So cool! Great job, I seriously thought that you spent a fortune on the top, I'm going to try and do the same with some of the blouses that I haven't worn in a while, thanks!
xoxo,
Genie
http://www.uniqueandchicstyle.blogspot.com
Wow! That looks really well done! Super creative too. =]
That is amazing! Love how it looks when paired with the mustard shirt.
Wow. I love that you took a meh blouse and make it into an amazing blouse.
Very nice job! You have a good eye for seeing the potential in the BEFORE version of the shirt. hehe
Huge armholes are a problem for me too. I usually pay attention to the fit on the model form if they have a picture from the size view of an item I want to purchase it. Another problem is really long straps (ahem, Theory, even in sz P or 0) so I find that I have to get the straps taken up for things I love but don't want to pass up.
I love polka dot blouses and just bought one on Piperlime (Trinity Polka Dot tank) with no collar.
I wish I knew how to sew or had a friend that sewed (and my mom is out of state). I usually take my alternations to Best Fit on Newbury St (and I've tried Michael's Alterations for the easier stuff since he's cheaper) but maybe I'll try yours (Hemmingway Tailors) from your previous reviews one of these days. 🙂
After reading your post I want to learn how to sew. I love the transformation of your blouse. Just looking after the before image the blouse itself looks "ehh" and the after image looks amazing!! The blouse itself looks like a $30- $40 blouse. Love it! you inspire me all the time Jean =)
WOW! I admire your skills and good eye/taste
You never cease to amaze!
I absolutely love what you did with your shirt! I, too, am going to dust off my old sewing machine. Thank you for sharing!
I have not touched my sewing machine in years, but your inspiring post just gave me courage! Today I found a darling linen skirt at Goodwill for 6 bucks – the fabric is great, the cut is not. I'm going to see what I can whip up. 🙂
I love this DIY blouse! I didn't think to thrift something and make a bow tie from the sleeves! Great job!
You are amazing!!! I wouldn't buy that original blouse cause I don't have any re-purpose ideas!
This is truly amazing and it really makes me want to learn how to sew! You did a great job – love the polka dots! 🙂
http://www.pennypincherfashion.com
Amazing Jean! Man, I need to take more sewing lessons. Perhaps a summer goal? 😉
For not being a 'professional sewer' you sure had me fooled 🙂
<3
I admire how you are so able to do. My grandmother would love you! I should mention that my grandmother was a seamstress her entire life and I can't sew! 🙂
Exactly what I've been looking for! Thanks for this tutorial! I am going to try it on my boyfriend's shirt. LOVE your blog!
oh wow, that is amazing!
I love the yellow skirt, could you tell me where it's from?!
This is so fabulous! Thanks for having such a great blog for petites!
Wow Jean, you did a good job. I wish I have the talent.
keep posting more tutorials.
Amazing job Jean what a great tutorial everything looks kind of easy for those who can sew can't wait to try it out.
xoxo
Cari
myfashionarchive.blogspot.com
You never cease to amaze me!
You did such an amazing job! My mom would be proud, she's also a great petite seamstress. I unfortunately can't sew ;( I know I should take the time to learn. Any tips on where to start?
wow you are such a talented tailor!
Tina @ http://www.tinacious.me
I don't have the skills to do this, but I love what you've done!
xoxo
~Natasha Fatah~
~Natasha Fatah~
The finished blouse looks great! Very nice job.
What a chic transformation! I'm finally going to be taking sewing lessons soon so I look forward to being able to repurpose thrift store finds.