This week my partner decided he was ready to let go of these two shirts, because they have become a bit crusty under the arms. These shirts have served him well...both were thrifted + have been worn every 7-10 days for somewhere around five years.
Since I'm not sure that they would (or should) be sold again in a thrift shop, I decided to repurpose them into something new + completely wearable. The fabrics of these shirts don't really scream "men's button-up", so I decided to make them into tops for my girls.
Since I'm not sure that they would (or should) be sold again in a thrift shop, I decided to repurpose them into something new + completely wearable. The fabrics of these shirts don't really scream "men's button-up", so I decided to make them into tops for my girls.
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I used the free Peppermint Peplum pattern. I like the rounded neck at the front + the v-neck at the back. I left off the peplum, straightened the sides on the front piece + added some length at the bottom of the bodice pieces. (Since I didn't add the peplum, I only needed to print out pages 1-10 of the pattern. I didn't need to print the directions either. This saved paper + a few coins, since we don't have a printer. I use the one at the library.)
Getting in close with these shirts made me realize what craftsmanship went into each of them. For example, there were three buttons at each adjustable cuff + darts at the back of the salmon-colored one. I'm glad each shirt was well worn + appreciated in its original form. The cotton fabrics are high quality + worth selvaging. These tops will get lots more wear now. :)
A few other ideas for giving a men's shirt a new purpose:
-bento bags
-child or baby's dress, top, skirt, shorts or hat
-women's top
-boxer shorts
-produce or bulk or bread bags
-period pads
-tote bag
-pillow
-doll clothes
-cloth napkins
-smock
-stuffed toy (can stuff scraps inside)
I have to say that I think the idea of making men's shirts that are showing their wear at the collar (though the collar can be turned) +/or the pits into boxer shorts for the owner seems to be a fitting progression.
In the end, (after cutting off + saving the buttons) I'm left with a few scraps of fabric that I added to my scrap fabric bag that periodically gets dropped off at Goodwill. They will send those scraps off to be recycled into things like carpet padding. This feels like a pretty successful waste reduction project. :)
Love,
Jane
Getting in close with these shirts made me realize what craftsmanship went into each of them. For example, there were three buttons at each adjustable cuff + darts at the back of the salmon-colored one. I'm glad each shirt was well worn + appreciated in its original form. The cotton fabrics are high quality + worth selvaging. These tops will get lots more wear now. :)
A few other ideas for giving a men's shirt a new purpose:
-bento bags
-child or baby's dress, top, skirt, shorts or hat
-women's top
-boxer shorts
-produce or bulk or bread bags
-period pads
-tote bag
-pillow
-doll clothes
-cloth napkins
-smock
-stuffed toy (can stuff scraps inside)
I have to say that I think the idea of making men's shirts that are showing their wear at the collar (though the collar can be turned) +/or the pits into boxer shorts for the owner seems to be a fitting progression.
In the end, (after cutting off + saving the buttons) I'm left with a few scraps of fabric that I added to my scrap fabric bag that periodically gets dropped off at Goodwill. They will send those scraps off to be recycled into things like carpet padding. This feels like a pretty successful waste reduction project. :)
Love,
Jane
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