If you are a crafter, can I recommend the
Purl Soho website for a treasure trove of
free patterns and projects to inspire you. This is where I found the cross back apron which I made 5 years ago.
I saw a simple
Boxy Top on the site, but didn't think any more until I saw
this idea, using the Purl Soho pattern to turn a shirt into a top.
It seemed like a fun project. I kept my eye open, and a couple of years ago, I found a suitable shirt.
It was on the £1 sale rail, a size 17 M&S men's shirt. I was surprised how little fabric was left when I'd cut out the pieces: collar, cuffs and a few scraps.
I think it would be a good alternative in hot weather to a regular Tshirt, and will go well with my navy blazer.
As I've had the shirt in my drawer for so long, I reckon this does not count in my
Take five challenge
It took four hours to make. I like having the buttons at the back [although they are stitched down, and do not open]
Have you ever recycled a shirt into another garment?Have you ever used any of the Purl Soho patterns?
The shirt to top looks great and I love the material. I don't make much of anything anymore as my eyes are not good for close work, but it is good to be able to get free patterns. I love the cross over aprons, my friend used a free pattern from a Japanese web site sorry cannot recall the name will have to ask her. I have used shirt material, in the past, to make a patchwork cushion, also men's ties which makes an interesting pattern - all got from charity shops. Regards from a set East Sussex Sue H
ReplyDeleteI have never done anything with ties - maybe I should get Bob to prune his collection now he wears them much less often!
DeleteSet should have read wet!
DeleteStripes are very 'in' this Summer!
ReplyDeleteThat's good to know (wearing my blue/white Breton top this morning)
DeleteThat looks great! No, I haven't recycled a shirt into another garment or used that website you linked. But, it does look like a fun project. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's great fun
DeleteThis is a fabulous upcycle and in the shop we always tell people who are looking to remake something to take the biggest size they can find to get maximum fabric. I have turned many shirts over the years into protective overalls for play, aprons for adults and also made cushions using the pocket as a remote control holder. This is a truly fabulous remake and a very stylish garment to wear. Well done! Catriona
ReplyDeleteCatriona - thank you for reminding me of the large size tip - if buying clothes-for-recycling in a CS I always go for the largest size to get max amount of cloth too. And often the XXL garments are on the sale rail! Currently checking Bob's (17½) shirts, as I fancy making some stuff for the grandchildren
ReplyDeleteOh dear, that may mean his stock of ties AND shirts get decimated. Oops!
DeleteI like the top. I have only recycled shirts into patchwork pieces. I do buy them in CS if cheap enough.
ReplyDeleteCS are a great source of fabric
DeleteI love it!!! Very nice, Angela. The only thing I've done with shirts was years ago. Someone's father had passed away and he had a large collection of flannel shirts. They asked me if I could turn them into mementos for his children/grandchildren. So I made pillows, stuffed animals, and other things (can't remember what at the moment) so they would have a little piece of his shirt to remember him .
ReplyDeleteMemory bears (bunnies, pillows etc always popular)
DeleteWhat a great idea for reusing a man's shirt. There are always lots of them reduced in price in charity shops, and I guess the larger the size you can manage to buy the more fabric you have to play with.
ReplyDeleteI have never recycled a shirt into anything else, but I did once turn the sleeves of one of my sweatshirts into a pair of cosy little trousers for my youngest son when he was a few months old. He had completely soaked his only pair of trousers and I had to think fast as I needed to be able to take him out. My husband was not impressed when he got in from work ... my sweatshirt was pink. :-)
Very resourceful. What then happened to the sleeveless sweatshirt?
DeleteI wore it over a long sleeved t-shirt and under a cardigan ... we lived in a very cold, damp flat for a few months. It came in handy.
Delete👍
DeleteIt looks superb! What a great upcycle!
ReplyDeleteBob beware, you may have the shirt off his back for more tops!😁 Kx
🤣
DeleteBeing a bit of a non sewer I haven't done anything this useful with an unwanted shirt. It's great, I love it 😍
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
👍
DeleteI have recycled shirts, it always pleased me to reuse the buttons and buttonholes to save doing my own! I do like that pattern and it looks 👍
ReplyDeleteOh yes (I haven't tried buttonholes on my new machine yet)
DeleteWhat a wonderful recycle and thanks for the link to the site. I don't sew ( just mend and tweak) but I shall pass it on to our Hospice where they have volunteer sewers who make memory bears etc. JanF
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea
DeleteI haven't recycled a shirt, but I recently took a dress apart and I am making a top from the skirt and sleeves.
ReplyDeleteGood recycling!!
DeleteThat top looks lovely on you, how I wish I could sew! Well done!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThat is a great recycling of a shirt. I'm just finishing the 4th skirt created out of dress pants that I rarely wore.
ReplyDeleteSmart!
DeleteGreat result. Looks good on you. Haven't used PS sewing patterns but have used a few of their knitting patterns. Always been a pipedream to visit their New York store!
ReplyDeleteOh yes!!
DeleteOh I love that.. beautifully done.
ReplyDeleteThank you Hena
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