How to transform a men's dress shirt into a spring blouse

This is a project from my Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing book, and even though the book has been out for almost two years, I still recieve emails from readers who make this project! I demoed it on the new PBS show, Sew It All, and will be sharing it on a local morning show on 12News here in Arizona - our local PBS station doesn't have SIA yet :-(


If you don't have access to either format, here are the project directions!



Menswear Modification by Kathy Cano-Murillo
From Sew It All TV
Transform a men's dress shirt into a cheery, colorful blouse for spring or summer!

Supplies

• Men's dress shirt
• 1 yard of twill tape
• 2 yards of coordinating silk ribbon
• Fabric stencils (See "Source.")
• Fabric glitter (See "Source.")
• Fabric glue  (See "Source.")
• Fabric dye (See "Source.")
• Tailor's chalk
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Safety pin
• Decorative buttons (optional)

Sew It

1. Dye the shirt in the desired color(s), following the manufacturer's instructions. The shirt showcased on the episode was dyed orange on top and fuchsia on bottom. Launder the shirt; press.
2. Position the buttoned shirt right side up on a flat work surface. Measure 5" above the chest pocket; mark using tailor's chalk. Draw a line extending from the mark to each shirt side edge. Cut along the line to remove the shirt upper portion.
3. Cut off the sleeves just beyond each shoulder seam. Stitch a rolled hem along the raw edges.
4. Fold the shirt upper edge 1 1/2" toward the wrong side; pin, and then stitch. Insert the safety pin along one twill tape end. Feed the tape through the shirt upper edge. Remove the safety pin and tie together the tape ends.
5. Turn over the shirt so the back is facing up. Fold the shirt in half lengthwise and widthwise to find the center; unfold. Fold the ribbon in half widthwise; unfold. Position the ribbon center over the shirt center; stitch, leaving two long ribbon tails.
6. Turn over the shirt so the front is facing up. Decorate the shirt front using stencils, adhesive and glitter, as desired. Let dry.
7. Remove the buttons and hand stitch decorative buttons in place, if desired.
8. Try on the blouse and tie the ribbon around the body to the blouse front. Tie the ribbon into a knot or bow.