Men's Shirt Refashion: Versatile Top/Skirt

You all know I love a men's dress shirt refashion. It's probably one of my top items to upcycle and made easy with all the different parts you can use. This versatile top/skirt is a fun update and can be worn several different ways, which makes it a great travel piece. The deconstructed look has that fashion-forward edge I like to add to my designs. If that's a bit too much just make the sleeves into a sash by removing the cuffs. Get the details below on how to make your own convertible top with Dritz Elastic. 

Supplies:

• Men's shirt
• Dritz Braided Elastic: 3/4" (They have several widths to choose from).
• General sewing supplies
• General measuring tools
• Brother Sewing Machine 

DIY Instructions:

Remove the sleeves.

Cut just below the under arm. Mine was a really long shirt so I cut just below the pocket. You may have to remove the pocket with a seam ripper it is gets cut off. 

The sleeves will be used for the sash wrap. Flip the sleeves right sides together.

Sew the seam in to meet the cuff. If the sleeve is still too wide then continue sewing in the cuff as well. I made mine about 4.5" wide. 

Flip right side out and press so the seam is in the center back. 

Decide the width of the elastic you plan to use. Measure off the casing for your elastic waist.  I'm using a 3/4" elastic + additional seam allowance, so I measured down 2" and marked that point on the side seam. 

Place your sleeve just below the previous marking and then mark where the sleeve/sash ends. 

Cut the side seam down to that point or just 1/4" below. 

Place the sleeve sash so the wrong side is facing the right side of the skirt. Pin and sew into place going all the way up to the top edge.

Fold over the top edge 1", press, and sew leaving a 2" opening near the side seam for the elastic. 

Sew just along the raw edge enough your elastic can fit in.

For the elastic: Measure your waist and cut the elastic to that measurement.

Use a safety pin at the end of the elastic to guide through the casing. 

Once you get through the opening on both sides sew an overlap of 1/2" with a zigzag stitch to secure the elastic band.

Sew the opening closed.

Almost finished! You may need to add a button hole/button at the bottom. 

I used my automatic button hole foot and my button foot to do this in less than 5 minutes. 

Now you have a super cute skirt/halter/top. Just tie, wrap, twist, and use the buttons of the cuffs around the neck for the halter. 

*In collaboration with Dritz. 

I received compensation from Dritz®, and some of the materials featured here or used in this project were provided free of charge by Dritz®. All opinions are my own.

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