Button Up Shirt + Knit Fabric Refashion Tutorial

heather handmade sewing

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Combine a men’s button up shirt + knit fabric to make the perfect refashioned top! Use different colors and patterns for a unique top!

I put together a little tutorial, so you can make one too with just a button up shirt + knit fabric. For this tutorial, you basically replace the front of the shirt with knit fabric and change the neckline and the sleeves.

button up shirt + knit fabrci

Aren’t men’s button up shirts brilliant and great for refashioning? It’s a never ending game! Sometimes I see shirts or tees at stores and realize they are basically a refashion.

button up shirt + knit fabrci

I just LOVE this fabric. I got it from and have been hoarding it. I’ve been afraid to use it because it’s so great, but I realized if I don’t use it now it’ll go out of style.

Now this an awesome knit and woven shirt, a casual and formal shirt. This is also a great way to start working with knits because you sew the knit to woven, so it’s not as scary!

button up shirt + knit fabrci

I love putting new fabric with old button up shirts! It’s the best of both worlds!

button up shirt + knit fabrci

Button up Shirt + Knit Fabric Refashion

Supplies

Gather your shirt and your fabric.

Cut the collar and sleeves off of the shirt.

Put the shirt on and mark where you want the new neckline. I did a scoop neck.

Sew with a regular straight stitch 1/8″ in from the new neckline and then cut on the line.

Anthropologie's Conductor Top Knock Off Tutorial: A Man's Shirt Refashion

Cut the front and back pieces at the sides seams and yoke. Leave the yoke connected to the back .

Use the front piece as a pattern to cut a new front from the knit fabric. Make sure the stretch goes from side to side.

Anthropologie's Conductor Top Knock Off Tutorial: A Man's Shirt Refashion

Cut the front buttonhole band off to use. 

Save two buttons.

Save the sleeves to reuse. I cut mine off just above the placket.

Anthropologie's Conductor Top Knock Off Tutorial: A Man's Shirt Refashion

Sew the front knit piece to the back at the yoke. (Sorry, no picture.)

Sew in the sleeves and topstitch.

Sew the side seams and finish edges.

Anthropologie's Conductor Top Knock Off Tutorial: A Man's Shirt Refashion

Fold up the sleeves twice making sure it’s even all the way around. 

Measure from 1/2″ inside the sleeve to where you want the tab to end.

Add 1/4″ and cut that length from the front buttonhole band. Make sure one buttonhole is near one end.

Fold the raw edge on the buttonhole side over 1/4″ and sew.

Anthropologie's Conductor Top Knock Off Tutorial: A Man's Shirt Refashion

Sew the other end of the band in the sleeve at the 1/2″ mark.

Fold it over and sew again enclosing the raw edge underneath.

Tack the folded sleeve where the tab will cover it.

Tack the folded sleeve at the seam.

Anthropologie's Conductor Top Knock Off Tutorial: A Man's Shirt Refashion

Sew on a button and button the tab up.

Repeat for the other sleeve. Iron the sleeves really well.

Anthropologie's Conductor Top Knock Off Tutorial: A Man's Shirt Refashion

Make bias binding from the discarded shirt front and sew onto neckline. Here’s a great tutorial on how to use bias binding. Iron the neckline really well.

Anthropologie's Conductor Top Knock Off Tutorial: A Man's Shirt Refashion

If you make something using this sewing project, I’d love to see! Please share it on social media with the hashtag #heatherhandmade and tag me!

heather sewing

I believe small sewing moments can create great joy. Find your own “right” way to sew. -Heather

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I LOVE this! And I love your blog. I'm all about making something new out of something old. You have some awesome ideas. I'm definitely going to try this soon!

I LOVE this shirt! The fabric is gorgeous! You did a wonderful job!!!

T'onna @ Submarine Sunday
http://www.navywifeypeters.blogspot.com/2013/01/submarine-sunday-14.html

Hey, I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. Check out my post @ http://navywifeypeters.blogspot.com/2013/01/versatile-blogger-award.html

Wow that is so cute. Thank you for sharing the how to. Not sure I have the skill..but would love to try this.

Kimmie
Mama to 8
one homemade and 7 adopted