Handmade has long been firmly established in everyday life. Necessary items made from waste materials or items that have served their useful life attract attention and make their owner stand out from the crowd. For example, from an old shirt you can make a completely predictable women's clothing(top or tunic), and completely unexpected items: a storage box, a photo frame or a lamp cover. Let's shake out our wardrobe in search of a basis for creativity, arm ourselves with inspiration and scissors and - go ahead!
Butterfly
Bow tie is an integral part men's wardrobe at official events. If dad has an unnecessary shirt, then he can very quickly make a beautiful and necessary accessory for his son’s party. A shirt made of any fabric, with or without a print, is suitable. You can sew many butterflies for different costumes.
You will need a rectangular cut without seams or stitching from any part of the old clothing.
- Turn the workpiece face down.
- We bend the long edge on both sides towards the center, towards each other. We repeat a similar operation with the sides of the butterfly.
- We carefully sew the resulting rectangle at the joints of the fabric so that the tie does not fall apart.
- We thread a “ring” through the center from a strip of fabric of the same color.
The butterfly is ready. Sew it on with an elastic band so that fashion accessory could have been tied up.
A denim shirt can make a stylish summer clutch, and a regular checkered or striped shirt makes great household and Beach bags. Choose the simplest rectangular shape, then it will be enough to sew the new thing on the sides and process the valve. Instead of a lid, the bag can be fastened with a zipper.
Important! For a pattern, you can take fabric with a pocket, placket, shoulder seams - it will turn out even more interesting!
Case for phone, tablet, laptop
Why not sew a case for your favorite gadget from an old men's shirt for home storage or trips to the country? You can sew two pockets together or go a different route.
We cut out a simple rectangular blank with a valve. For better preservation, we sew a piece of lining fabric onto the padding polyester inside. The flap can be fastened with a zipper, a large button or Velcro.
Important! If you choose fabric for the cover from the part of the shirt where there is a pocket, you will get a ready-made compartment for various necessary little things. Make such a pocket with a clasp, and your headphones or charger will be at hand and will not get lost.
It happens that clothes are so old that you won’t be able to get things out of them. Let it serve the baby, who has not yet learned to eat carefully. We tear off the collar, cut out the blank (in the form of an oval with a hole offset from the center). Let the bib have a placket with a couple of buttons. After processing the seams, you can set the table and try on new clothes. Important: In order for the bib to better cope with its task, it is recommended to sew a thin oilcloth on the inside.
There are never enough pillows, and budget pillowcases made from an old shirt can complement the interior of any room. With minimal sewing skills for a short time You will be able to stitch together a lot of square or rectangular blanks. Ready-made pillowcases are used for their intended purpose or filled with synthetic padding, padding polyester or holofiber.
Important! At the dacha, you can collect and dry fragrant herbs, then the little thought will become a little reminder of summer.
This tunic will require minimal alteration: the yoke is cut off and a soft elastic band is inserted around the perimeter. In half an hour you get new and comfortable beachwear with bare shoulders.
If your favorite slippers look bad, an unnecessary shirt will help to update the item. The part with the cuff looks original if the original button is replaced with a larger one. It is permissible to use rhinestones or lace in small quantities.
For the skirt, we cut off the yoke from a men's shirt, and sew the cut line with a wide elastic band to fit the waist. We use the sleeves instead of a belt, tying them in a knot in the front. We replace the original fittings with mother-of-pearl rounded buttons, and the transformation is complete!
Organizer
An organizer will help ensure compact storage of small items. We cover (wrap, glue) any paper or plastic base with a cut neck with scraps of fabric. We get cups for cosmetic brushes, pencils or felt-tip pens. You can sew many shirt pockets onto a rectangular piece of fabric and place jewelry on them. Such an organizer can be useful both in the kitchen and in the workshop.
For a stylish accessory, you will need to cut off the collar, trim the edges and lightly decorate the new thing. Lace, beads and rhinestones are suitable. They can be attached randomly or laid out with a specific floral or geometric print.
Shorts
As you continue to update your children's summer wardrobe, add shorts to it. A pair of sleeves transforms into comfortable short pants or breeches for walking.
Cat bed
Don’t rush to throw away your old item, because it can serve your pet. From men's shirts It turns out a comfortable mattress with sides for the cat.
Chair upholstery
You can simply update the worn upholstery of chairs or stools by sewing a cover from a man’s shirt. A square piece of fabric needs to be assembled with an elastic band, and a stool decorated in this way will serve you even more. It’s not difficult to sew flat cushions onto chairs, to which ribbon ties are attached. Now you can update the upholstery not only on the seat, but also on the back.
Seasonal clothing that is not yet needed is stored in closets, covered from dust with plastic or fabric covers. An old shirt will do an excellent job of protecting against pollution. We cut off the sleeves and sew up the cut points. We compare the material at the bottom of the shirt and process the edges. A wonderful thick case is ready.
Important! If you sew the blank at the bottom, you will get a bag for storing hats, gloves and other small items, which will hang compactly on a hanger.
Do festive table setting Various little things help the table. For a special picnic, you can sew cutlery covers. A simple option: fabric envelopes with a flap in the narrow part or a part of a sleeve with a cuff, stitched along the cutting line.
Cosmetic bag
It’s also easy to cut out a roomy or compact cosmetic bag from an unnecessary shirt. A part with pockets or with cuffs that turn into a flap is suitable.
What girl didn’t put on her lover’s shirt in the morning to prepare breakfast? This tradition may have a new incarnation. A few strokes of the scissors - and the shirt turns into an elegant apron!
Cut the collar to create a shallow semicircular neckline. We remove some of the fabric from the sleeves to make armholes for the future top. Cut the shirt hems to the desired length. After processing the seams, an original topic is obtained. Its sleeves are tied in the front like a bow, pulled into a knot or tied around the back.
A bottle of good wine as a gift requires a worthy frame. Use a sleeve with a cuff for this. For additional decor, you will need a cufflink or a beautiful button and a narrow ribbon to tie it around the neck.
Continuing the topic festive table, let's talk about napkin rings. There is nothing easier than making them from cuffs. We simply rip off this part of the shirt and finish the edge.
Picture frame
You can make a cute souvenir if you cover the finished photo frame with fabric strips. A good base is made from thick cardboard. Then all that remains is to sheathe (wrap) or seal the workpiece with fabric.
Important! Provide a small pocket in the corner of the frame - you can hide it in it small photo or a small piece of paper with wishes.
A passion for reading books is wonderful. At the same time, it is equally important that the volume of your favorite author is protected during reading. Who said the cover has to be plastic or paper? Let's sew it ourselves from unnecessary things!
There should always be clean towels or napkins in the kitchen. You can add variety to this type of textile using an old men's shirt. For originality, you can make the loops not blind, but fastened with a button.
Dress
In order for the men's wardrobe to migrate to the shelves with women's clothing, you will need a little sewing skills and imagination. The fastest transformation option is a straight-cut dress with a collar and open shoulders. If you sew this from a denim shirt, you will get a current hit this summer.
Curtains at the dacha do not have to be in a traditional style. If you have accumulated a lot of colored shirts, you can use them to sew patchwork curtains. Squares of fabric with elements of stitched seams, parts of pockets, trims, or simply taken from the back are stitched one by one. Cuffs are suitable as tiebacks.
A dress for a girl will have to be cut from the middle and lower part of the shirt. We mark out a simple flared shape of the future new thing so that we get a blank with a semicircular collar and buttons on the placket in the center. All that remains is to sew the side seams and trim the cut lines.
House for a pet
A cat or small breed dog is often given a cozy home using an old shirt. It’s not at all difficult to stretch a shirt onto a frame made of flexible rods or to decorate an ordinary cardboard box.
Lamp cover
Try sewing a new fabric lampshade from an old shirt. The lamp will turn out to be especially homely and cozy and will fit perfectly both in the bedroom and on the veranda.
Bracelet
You can decorate not only the shirt collar, but also the cuffs. In the latter case, you will get an unusual bracelet, which, depending on the style of execution, will complement a weekend or everyday look.
Sundress
On summer days it is convenient to flaunt in any open clothes, but the sundress is deservedly considered a favorite among women. If you cut off the sleeves and collar of a shirt, the resulting rectangle will become the simplest basis for a new outfit. The straps for it can be made of a wide strip of lace, fabric of a contrasting color or fabric that matches the shade of the sundress.
Other ideas for a new life for men's shirts
There is always a place in any home soft toys, rugs and bedspreads using patchwork technique. You don’t have to buy all these little things, but sew them yourself from used items. Try it yourself and you will see that an old shirt is not good for rags at all!
On our website Self-Sewing not only describes in detail how simple and easy it is, but also what can be sewn from it if the shirt has gone out of fashion, has become small, etc. We present to your attention another original alteration.
Surely many people have a couple of their husband’s (or their own) shirts hanging in their closet that are out of fashion, or the collar is worn out. The shirt is made of excellent cotton, and it would be a shame to throw it away. From such a men's shirt you can sew a new summer blouse in just one hour.
All we need for the remodel:
- men's shirt;
- scissors;
- chalk;
- sewing supplies;
- sewing machine
How to sew a blouse from a men's shirt in 1 hour
First, we cut off the collar and sleeves. The neck of the blouse can be made round or boat-shaped.
But we will cut it off, capturing the upper part of the sleeves - a summer blouse with bare shoulders will look very impressive.
The bottom of the shirt can be left uncut, or made into a semicircle, opening the hips. We will only cut the front of the shirt in a semicircle and leave the back untouched.
We cut off the old buttons. Then we change the position of the shelves. The shirt will have eyelets at the bottom, and buttons at the top - this is how a man's shirt will turn into a women's shirt. Before sewing on the buttons, sew the shelves on a sewing machine.
All that remains is to hem the bottom of the blouse and sleeves using a hem seam with an open or closed cut.
A new blouse from an old shirt is ready. You can wear this blouse with jeans or shorts untucked. A woven leather belt or a denim belt will also go well with this blouse.
Give an old men's shirt new life and treat yourself to something new for the coming summer.
Imagine the situation: your husband, boyfriend or brother for some reason does not wear the shirt you bought, and it’s a pity to throw it away, as often happens. The size doesn't fit, you don't like the color, the collar and cuffs are frayed... It doesn't matter why, the main thing is that you have the opportunity to use your imagination and give the shirt a second life.
Materials and tools
We prepare everything you need for creativity:
- a shirt that you will torment;
- threads, needles, pins, scissors;
- elastic bands, lace, ribbons, beads - accessories that depend on the flight of your imagination;
- sewing machine and an overlocker (if available, in case of absence, you can process the edges manually, which will take more time).
Important to remember:
- We try on the shirt and use pins to mark where it should be altered. From this moment the fun begins - we choose the thing we want to change our shirt into and start creating.
- All edges that are cut are processed with an overlocker or carefully stitched with a machine. In the absence of the last two things, we sew it by hand.
- To reduce the size of any model, you can make darts, gather it at the waist with a braid, or insert an elastic band.
- If the size is much larger than yours, then you should rip the product along the side seams, remove the excess and sew it back. You can also wear and adjust this moment using a belt.
- You can decorate the finished product with rhinestones, braid, lace, beads, embroidery - use your imagination.
Women's shirt
The first thing that comes to mind is to remake a man's shirt into a women's shirt. There are many styles, choose what you like and get to work. To create an off-the-shoulder model, you need to cut the sleeves to the desired length, trim the edges and insert elastic or buttons. We measure how much to remove from the top and cut it off. We process the edges and insert an elastic band.
You can not radically change the style, but insert an elastic band or braid at the waist or under the bust, thus visually reducing the size and making it fit.
The sleeves can be shortened to the desired length, they can be made sleeveless, or you can completely open the shoulders, cutting them off from the collar to the armpit.
You don’t need to cut the long sleeve, but instead roll it up and sew on a transverse strip with a button to hold the drapery.
Summer blouse
To make a blouse, we need to cut off the sleeves. We mark and make a cutout of the shape we like, finishing all the edges. We remove the width using darts on the chest, elastic or braid at the waist, or leave a loose style.
You can play a little with the length and shape of the sleeves to make the blouse look more original.
Tops, T-shirts
To feel like a little cowgirl, you don’t have to go to the Wild West; you can make yourself a cropped shirt. You can leave the sleeves long, you can make them short, or even without them at all. Under the bust, cut the fabric to a length that is comfortable for you. You put it on, tie the tails of your shirt under your chest - and new outfit ready.
One of summer options maybe a tank top with straps. We mark with pins or chalk the cutout that we would like to see on finished product, cut off the unnecessary fabric along the neckline along with the sleeves. From the remaining pieces we make straps and sew them to the T-shirt.
Child dress
The sewing principle is the same as for other products, but the width of the product will have to be removed only by cutting it along the side seams. At the level of the sleeves, either gather it up with an elastic band on the sides, or run an elastic band around the entire product.
Skirt
Depending on the desired length of the skirt, cut a piece in the middle of the shirt. Either we simply insert an elastic band into the processed upper edge, or we make a belt from the remnants of the fabric and sew it to the main product. If you want to make a pencil skirt, you will have to work a little longer and sew the product along the side seams.
As you can see, the process is not long and quite simple. And even if you do not have seamstress skills, you can create something new from an old thing. The main thing is desire, imagination and a little time. Good luck in your creativity!
With the arrival of warmer weather, I want to please myself with new things. But the biggest sadness for every fashionista is to be next to a girl wearing the same dress. Yes, unfortunately, we have to see this all the time. Either two “identical” ladies get on the minibus, or on the playground you confuse mothers because of their sundresses. But everyone really wants to be individual and unique! But that's not so bad, but if you come to a birthday party to the best friend, and a girl in the exact same dress happens to be in a restaurant? Could the situation be more annoying?
Therefore, it’s time to take on alterations from a men’s shirt. The photos and descriptions presented below will allow you to choose a model to suit every taste.
To sew or not to sew - that is the question
Don't like meeting girls in the same dress? There is only one way out - to sew yourself an outfit yourself. Costly and time-consuming? But no! You can make a dress from a man's shirt. Alterations of this kind look quite interesting, and certainly no one will have such an outfit. The mathematics here is simple: the larger the size of the original product, the more room for imagination. The process in women's clothing is very interesting. And although many craftswomen claim that it is much easier to cut and sew again than to alter an old one, a shirt can be considered as a half-finished product.
Option one: dress with a collar
For example, if the neckline fits perfectly, then you can mark out the armholes and side sections and cut out the dress blank. At the same time, do not forget to measure the volume of the chest and hips and leave 5 cm allowances for a loose fit. All that remains is to cut out the parts, where there will already be a button fastener. Don't like the men's collar? It can be easily made feminine by embroidering with ribbons or beads. And now we have before us a feminine item from a men’s shirt. Alterations may be different, but often no one will say that these were once clothes for a “big” man.
Option two: dress with sleeves
Are you absolutely not satisfied with the collar? So, we cut it off completely, making a boat-shaped cutout. The main thing here is to measure the width of your own shoulders so as not to guess with the size. You need to cut the neckline ten centimeters larger than the required width, tuck and stitch the cut and insert an elastic band into it. If the width of the shirt allows, you can make a one-piece sleeve by extending the shoulder seam. Next, measure the distance from the shoulder to the center of the chest and transfer it to the cut details. It is at this level that half the measurement of breast volume is noted. The waist of such a dress can be fitted with darts or gathered with an elastic thread. To be on the safe side, be sure to measure the height from shoulder to waist and from shoulder to hips. You can mark these boundaries directly on the fabric with tailor's chalk and then work out the width of the panels in accordance with the volumes. In the summer wardrobe worthy place It will take exactly this alteration from a men's shirt. You can crochet cotton lace to it with your own hands or sew a purchased openwork fabric along the bottom of the dress. In any case, cute details will make the dress weightless and seductive.
Option three: sundress
A sundress with an open back made from a men's shirt will look no less interesting. Alterations to a sundress require a little more effort, but it's worth it! So, first you should cut out the panels of the skirt for the sundress, the back should be cut 7 cm higher than the front. The chest will look much more interesting if it is cut off. By the way, this option allows you to use smaller sizes, both in height and in width. Long sleeves will be used for breast shaping. To do this, you should cut out two trapezoids with a base equal to one-fourth of the chest circumference, and an upper edge of about 10 cm. The height of the figure is calculated as follows: measurement “chest height” + 4 cm. Next, you need to determine the sides where the parts will converge in the center of the front panel of the sundress . The base of the trapezoid here needs to be smoothly cut off by one and a half centimeters and thereby raise the side. Along the cut, you should turn the fabric inside out or sew on bias tape. Next, the parts need to be sewn to the top of the front panel, forming folds under the chest. When this step is completed, you can close the side seams and process the remaining sections. Then the stage of working on the straps or ties begins. Simple stripes fabrics inserted into the drawstring of the upper side of the trapezoid, which has already become a part of the chest, can be sewn at the shoulder blades on the back panel of the sundress or simply tied at the neck. Fantasy will tell you what to do.
Sewing ideas
In addition to dresses, you can sew original blouses from a men's shirt. Alterations into a top or an interesting blouse with lace and flounces will make a men's garment unrecognizable. What about the clasp on the other side? If this is a problem, then it can be solved! Just when cutting, the front panel of the shirt can be cut “upside down”. However, few people will pay attention to the buttons if you approach the design correctly. Flounce sleeves, frill on the chest, lace inserts on the shoulders and back, embroidery with ribbons, peplum - this is just a small part of how you can decorate a blouse from a men's shirt. The alterations can be so ingenious that girlfriends will start asking for the address of the boutique where they can buy such beauty. By the way, they don’t need to know where the chic blouse actually came from.
Ideas for children
And who said that you can’t make excellent beach shorts with pockets for your son from a man’s shirt? And if you also make a butterfly and sew it on a white T-shirt, then the little gentleman will be ready for any special event in the summer. For your daughter, a set of a dress and a hat or a skirt would be an excellent option.
This is how interesting alterations from men's shirts can turn out. The master classes describing the sequence of work presented above will help you make interesting products. It is worth noting that this is not the limit, because the flight of your imagination is not limited.
Your husband's or boyfriend's old (and not so old) shirts can be used to make a lot of cool things for us girls. It is not recommended to use his favorite shirt for this purpose - he will definitely be offended. Although, if she is very beautiful, and you know how to make amends so that your boyfriend doesn’t get angry, go for it. All you need for alterations is scissors, a needle and thread and a little imagination. And it’s very good if you have a sewing machine at home. By the way, things made from men's shirts are very fashion trend this season, so you can feel your most stylish in them.
1.Apron
To make an apron, you can use any of your husband's old shirts. Instead of throwing it away, be frugal and repurpose it into a stylish kitchen "outfit" that will look much more interesting than a regular backsplash. For this purpose, you will only need to cut the sleeves at an angle, cut off the entire back, remembering to leave the fabric for the waist ropes and collar, and carefully hem the edges.
2. Stylish blouse with a belt
To make this beauty, you will only need to cut the top of the shirt so as to bare the shoulders, but leave the sleeves, hem an elastic band along the top edge, and complement the jacket with a stylish wide belt.
3.Summer dress
Making such a cute little thing is as easy as shelling pears. Simply trim the top, including the sleeves, and narrow the shirt a little at the top, trimming strips of fabric on the sides to create an A-line shape, and sew again.
4.Women's sleeveless shirt
To make a shirt like this, you will need to trim the sleeves, cutting out a little more at the back, exposing the shoulder blades, as in the photo. Also cut the bottom, the length of the shirt should be slightly below the waist, and sew an elastic band along the bottom edge. The final touch is to gather the fabric a little on the back between the opening between the sleeves using a “belt” of the same fabric as in the photo (you can use fabric from the sleeves).
5.Women's shirt with an interesting armhole
Nothing complicated either. If necessary, hem the shirt slightly to fit (but not too much; it should still fit loosely). And cut out the armhole, leaving the collar and buttons as shown in the photo. Creative bow is ready!
6.Summer blouse with a shirt collar
Tired of a boring simple T-shirt, and want to somehow diversify it? Then simply cut out the entire collar with an armhole from the shirt, and sew it onto a plain T-shirt or sleeveless jacket, as shown in the photo. A prerequisite is that the T-shirt and shirt must be of different colors and contrast favorably with each other.
7. Curtains made from shirts
It looks very beautiful and certainly original: we are sure none of your friends have such curtains. Of course, this option will suit you only if you have a lot of shirts in your closet that need to be “disposed of”. Although for such creative idea It’s not a sin to buy a few more shirts on purpose. The technology is simple: cut off the back of the shirts and sleeves, and sew them onto a regular curtain or fabric. Cover the bottom with sleeve cuffs.
8 more ideas on the second page >>>
