How to Upcycle a Men’s Shirt into a Bralette | Style Revive Season 4, Episode 1
|Sponsored| A men’s oversized shirt is more than just a wonderful thing to throw on in the morning; they can be the perfect base for so many other styles! Whether you thrift a fun patterned one, find an old one in your partner’s closet or purchase a new crisp one, you can get THREE projects out of just one shirt, including a stylish gathered bralette!
If you’d like to watch the whole series on YouTube (and watch Seasons 1-3 while you’re at it) subscribe to the Sew Daily Network YouTube channel. We’ll be releasing episodes every Tuesday into mid-October, and then we’ll have a fun live event on November 2!
Watch to see this episode of Style Revive where I transform a classic men’s button-up shirt into a bralette, tank/tube top, and decorated dickie. I call in my DIY expert friend Michele Matsumoto for design idea help and get even more inspired by her shoulder pad suggestion. So many things you can do with a men’s shirt . . .
Upcycle 1: Men’s Shirt to Bralette
I have always loved looking at various ways you can upcycle a men’s shirt into something different, and I have experimented with ways to transformed one into a dress—but for this episode I wanted to challenge myself and try and make a top! Last season I made a bralette that was so popular and got so much wear by me in the summer that I wanted to test out a long sleeve version.
This was surprising so easy to sew and left me with two other pieces from the shirt that I utilized for zero waste! I also broke down the steps and measurements below and then go into my fun decorated collar. Note: I used a size L men’s shirt from Amazon Essentials.
Remove the pocket if there is one on your blouse. Use a stitch ripper with care, and be sure not to make a hole.
From the underarm point going up towards the shoulder, measure and mark 5” or use the guideline of 2” above the button.
Repeat for other armhole and connect with a straight ruler using fabric marking chalk or a pen.
Carefully cut down from the shoulder point along the armhole to the marking on both sides.
Then cut along the connecting line through both layers of the shirt.
Serge-finish all unfinished edges and press the top and bottom edges to the wrong side 1”. Stitch two rows of topstitching 3/8” away from each other leaving an opening to thread the elastic through.
Along the top edges and around the hemline, insert elastic with a safety pin and gather until desired tightness. Cut the elastic and secure along sides of the top edges, and knot the elastic around the hem and close the opening.
For the sleeve, press the allowance just more than ½”-3/8” to the wrong side and thread elastic through in the same manor.
The end result is a fabulous and feminine bralette that you can wear with all your favorite high-waisted bottoms. I absolutely adore this square neckline!
Upcycle 2: Men’s Shirt Collar to Dickie
After this upcycle, I was left with the upper piece which was a full collar—so naturally it has to become a dickie . . .
I really do love the look of a collar shirt under a sweater, but sometimes all the bulk can be uncomfortable. This is the perfect solution!
If you are just seeing the collar, though, why not add a little pizazz to it?
I had various-sized pearl beads lying around my studio so I decided to dig them out along with my hand sewing needle and thread and used the existing topstitching as a guide.
To accent the corners I used a larger pearl.
I worked my way along the entire collar until I got to the center again.
Lastly, I serge-finished the bottom edges and it was ready to layer under anything!
I really love it styled with this sweater outfit I have. Since I can’t knit, I didn’t make this outfit but at least I can say that I upcycled the collar!
Upcycle 3: Men’s Shirt Bottom into Crop Tank
There was still that piece leftover from my shirt along the bottom!
With the help of Michele Matsomoto I turned it into another top.
This episode was so much fun to create, film and enjoy as I love wearing all the pieces from my shirt. If you want to try hacking and/or upcycling a button-up shirt into a bralette or other projects, take the #StyleReviveChallenge!
How to Enter: Simply post your project to Instagram using #StyleReviveChallenge by October 31st 2021. We may contact you to receive additional images for the live stream as well as your contact information to send you the issue of Sew News Magazine your project is featured in. We can’t wait to see everyone’s makes. Be sure to tune into the live event here! It’s scheduled for November 2, and you can sign up to get a reminder now.
Also make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to never miss an episode.
Happy Sewing!
Meg
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