Tie Front Men’s Shirt Refashion

Shoes Nine West (similar) / Jeans Madewell / Shirt (me – similar) / Jacket J.Crew

As a self-taught seamstress I’ve always loved the billow-y possibility of an old men’s oxford shirt. All the fine detailing of the buttons and sleeves is already manufactured, leaving the tailoring to me. I fell in love with the tie shirt trend this summer is bringing. I found a shirt at TJ Maxx that got some great attention on my Instagram &I was sure  I could make with a little digging in my closet ! So save a shirt from the Goodwill bin of your spring savings, to sculpt a forgotten shirt into summer treasure!

Materials

Old Mens Shirt (~One Size up in Mens)

Button down shirt/shirt of your own for stencil

Matching Thread

Tape Measure

Sewing Machine

Instructions

step 1: Lay out and press your men’s shirt. You will be be using a women’s button down that fits you as a stencil – making sure to leave the front of the neckline slightly lower (as desired).

step 2: Tuck the sleeves in (as below), pin and trace with 1/2 inch seam allowance all the way around your stencil shirt usually washable marker. I like tracing on the “right side” to ensure proper fit.

step 3: Now that you have your online, create an a-line hem from the end of the elbow and the bottom of the shirt. Measure 2-3 inches from the bottom hem (desired length) and connect to create the hem on both sides. This will give the shirt the “swing” fit.

step 4: Cut one sleeve off of your shirt and cut evenly in half. Remove cuff. Press and sew along edges of the sleeve to make clean tie/prevent fraying. Pin one half to the front of your bodice piece starting from the elbow to the bottom of the shirt.

step 5:  Sew the “sleeve” onto the front bodice piece by sewing from the bottom of the elbow along the top edge of the sleeve (below) stopping ~1 inch before the buttons on the front of the shirt.

step 6: Press down and sew along elbow and collar areas with a straight stitch to finish. Flip “wrong” sides together and sew along bodice. Finish hem to finish.

I will be making this shirt in many colors and patterns – I think a Hawaiian shirt would look awesome for summer – what do you think?