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.
In regards to present day fashion, the fitness world has created a craze of certain items such as gym tank tops and yoga pants that are worn as casual wear by many people on a daily basis, whether they attend a gym or not.
sleeveless shirts
Hi, I was wondering if you knew how to make a sleeve narrower? I bought a huge blazer from a thrift store (size 6, I'm a 00 like you) and the sleeves are far too wide (not to mention everything else). Any pointers?
Beautiful but I'd like to know how you did the finishing of the armholes. I don't quite understand how to do that.
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Hi Jean- what type of thread and setting did you use on this project? Thanks!
I recently discovered your blog and I absolutely love it! Your DIY posts are great and have inspired me to start my own sewing adventures and blog. I bought a beginner's Brother machine and am having a blast with it. Inspired by this post particularly, I just completed my first DIY alteration!
A simple process of sewing and stitching has transformed the shirt into a chic element!
Quite impressive styling too.
check us out?
http://www.headtilt.in
Yes indeed. Thrifting is so much cheaper and more interesting than buying fabric. (Although I tend to be a bit of a hacker.)
Such a pretty job! I love what you did with that shirt. I need to sew better!
You are so skilled! Excellent execution. Saw this on Carly's Chic Steals and had to come over to check it out. Love the added bow. So cute!
xx
maya
http://byebyesoccermom.blogspot.com/
Oh I love it! I have to go run to a thrift shop now 😛
Thank you for the tutorial!
I havn't before, but know that I've seen this, I going to try to start to! This is amazing! I would love if you looked at my cooking blog,
http://www.1cupofsugar.blogspot.com
Wow this is amazing!! I love seeing amazing transformations 🙂
http://lilmsadventures.blogspot.com/
Wait, there's a report pin button which has an option for "this is my intellectual property". It's got to be worth a try
Thought you might like to know that someone has taken all of your pictures and spliced them together to make a pinterest tutorial which doesn't link back to you in any way. http://pinterest.com/pin/96053404523376088/
Not that I'm aware of any way to combat this ignorant behaviour, I know of other bloggers who have their projects similarly treated.
Such a wonderful post!
Come check out my website please please!
I purchased several badly out-of-style Good Will dresses last year, and easily and quickly made them into wonderful skirts — but your tutorial suggests that I should alter the upper dress areas and keep them as dresses. Thanks so much for this eye-opener!
I love these refashion tutorials! I'm too cheap to buy clothes full price,;) so I usually buy from thrift stores. The clothes don't always fit right, so I end up making adjustments, so any tutorials are always helpful!
Thanks for this tutorial – it looks fab!
so cute! I love bow-tie tops!!
~Amy
http://www.LadyMockinbird.com
Hi Jessica – they have to be added before sewing the side seam. Experienced sewers probably plan ahead with the pattern and adjust so that the front piece is longer, and therefore can have a bust dart allowance and still be the same length as the back…unfortunately for me, I was learning as I go and it was an afterthought.
I am halfway through this DIY and am having trouble with the bust darts. Do you put them in before sewing the side seam? If so, won't the front piece be shorter than the back? I can't seem to get it right and would appreciate help from anyone who has tried this tutorial.
Thanks in advance!
Wow! That's an amazing makeover. I wish I had sewing talent and ability. You make it look easy and I know that's not the case.
Great transformation! I wish I could sew!
I wish I had the talent to sew things…
victoireannie.com
LOVE IT!!!!! So chic !!
Wow, I love it! The top definitely looks very expensive and chic after the transformation. I'm not sure I have the sewing prowess to pull this project off but I'm really impressed by what you did with it!
xo Gillie
I would buy that in a store! Such a cute transformation!
This is truly an amazing transformation! You should be proud of your sewing skills! =]
This inspires me to do more thrifting!