I have this button down shirt (kinda like a cowboy shirt) with a really funky pattern, that I can't seem to part with. I no longer wish to where it as a shirt as it doesn't fit me too well (too baggy, leaving me looking quite shapeless).
So I want to make something with it, but can't seem to come up with anything clever enough that I can do without a sewing machine.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
So I want to make something with it, but can't seem to come up with anything clever enough that I can do without a sewing machine.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
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France
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Re: Any ideas on recycling a button down?
Sun, February 3, 2008 - 12:43 PMjust a thought, if it's shapeless why convert it into something different? why not alter it to fit you in a va-voom way? you can do that by hand with some darting.
some other thoughts...
covert it into a fitted vest (think steampunk or bustier inspired)
convert it into an Annie Hall / Diane Keaton kind of vest
...both can be done just with cutting. you can make it more fitted by adding darts, putting in grommets (no sew) and lacing it, or stitching on some straps that cinch or tie it
other ideas...
cut off the collar and wear it as a choker (I've seen this done nicely)
cut off the cuffs and wear them as bracelets (ditto)
cut up strips and make them into a headband, sash, belt, scarf, etc.
cut up strips and weave them together to make a small bag or scarf.
cut off the sleeves and use them as arm warmers or leg warmers
cut off a sleeve, stitch one end, add a drawstring to the other and have a handbag (you can use grommets to thread the string through)
without seeing the shirt, those are the only things that come to mind for no-sew or minimal sewing solutions. :) -
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Re: Any ideas on recycling a button down?
Mon, February 11, 2008 - 4:23 AMOkie dokie, thanks for all the ideas!
I know what darting IS, but I am completely clueless as to how to go about it, otherwise I would have tried that. If anyone wishes to attempt to explain it to me, I'm a willing student... -
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Re: Any ideas on recycling a button down?
Mon, February 11, 2008 - 8:40 AMdarting is a way of shaping a garment by stitching in certain areas, usually around the waist and bust.
google "sew dart" and you get a ton of results that can explain it better:
www.google.com/search
If you're going to start doing reconstructions, you may want to pick up a beginner sewing book to cover things like this. :) 2 good ones are:
Reader's Digest New Guide to Sewing
www.amazon.com/Complete-S...164-6056966
Sew U: the Built by Wendy guide to making your own wardrobe
www.amazon.com/exec/obido...neoflux4-20
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Re: Any ideas on recycling a button down?
Mon, February 11, 2008 - 8:41 AMFirst, look at some things you have that already have darts, it might help you understand how to do it.
next, get a friend to help you.
Put on your shirt inside out * buttoned up.
Have your friend use safety pins to create the darts from under your bust to about 3 inches below your waist on the front, and just below your shoulderblades to about the same place on the back. The darts should look like a long skinny vertical eye.. hardly any fabric pinned at the to & bottom, and the widest part at about your waist. Use a ruler to be sure you are taking up the same amount of fabric at the same place on both sides.
You might also want darts starting about 4 inches below the under arm seam & angling up towards the point of your bust, with no fabric pinned at the bust point,, and the most at the side seam.
turn your shirt right side out & see how you like the fit... repeat & adjust until you like it. sew with a basting stitch.. try it on again.. **then** sew with your regular length stitch. In words it sounds complex, but it isn't really.
happy reconstructing!
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Re: Any ideas on recycling a button down?
Mon, February 11, 2008 - 11:41 AMI get a lot of my ideas from anthropologie.com. Their clothes have kind of a reconstructed feel to them.
Good luck to you!
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Re: Any ideas on recycling a button down?
Tue, February 12, 2008 - 6:41 AMThank you everyone!
