A thrifted shirt should not look like a thrifted shirt

Some people have a problem buying used clothing. I am not one of those people. :)
I bought two shirts at Goodwill and while they were the light and airy summer type stuff I was looking for, they just lacked...everything that would make this a better looking shirt.

Let's start with this one. The dedangle-jazzled tank that had a section of bedangle-jazzle missing. Niiiiiiiice.


I cut all those off and was left with a very plain tank.


Until I saw this tutorial at Along for the Ride and made myself some rosettes! I pinned them on and then hand-sewed them. Let's just say it's a good thing no one will see the back side. Since the tutorial was for hair ties I, of course, made one to match my shirt! :) (and didn't photograph it? no cookie for me!)


The next shirt I bought because I was desperate and needed something lightweight and comfy and this seemed like it fit the bill. What I didn't know, because I didn't try it, on was that this doesn't fit anything.


I didn't photograph me wearing it so I tried to recreate it with a pixel drawing...I do not have Allie Brosh's skills for communicating feeling through drawings so forgive me.
It was loose and sacky, had three-quarter sleeves that came to just above my wrist (what?) and an insane plunging neckline. What to do with this mess?

For starters I cut it down the middle in the front.

I measured an inch in on those cut front pieces and pinned it so I could run a stitch along it - like a cardigan front.


And then I sewed. I am not a sewing fan, but Disney gave me the confidence to try it so I went ahead (with plenty of troubles, don't get me wrong)

Then I needed to massively shorten the sleeves so I stitched two rows on the top and bottom...

And pulled them into a ruffle/ruche thing. Looking at it now...I think I might add more ruffle / ruche things. But the sleeves are perfect length now!



And then I bought these super cute button earrings from Lovie and Boo to match my shirt re-fashions. :)


All in all, I think I need MUCH more practice sewing before I get good...or even...ENJOY it, but I did have fun fixing and designing the shirts. I shall try it again I think!

Linking to:

Creations by Kara

Today's Creative Blog

The Shabby Chic Cottage

The Shabby Nest