Make a Gorgeous Open Back Top From a Long Sleeve Shirt

Tools and materials:

Long sleeve shirt

Marker

Pins

Scissors

Ruler

Sewing machine

The first thing I did to get this stunner of a top is mark where I wanted the open back to end. 

I wanted to drop the neckline a little lower so I marked on the front where I wanted the neckline to be. 

Next, I turned the shirt over and marked from the start of my open back to the top of the shirt. Using a ruler in this step would have definitely been easier!

I then used my scissors to cut along my markings including the lowered neckline! I could already tell this was going to be an amazing top.

I snipped open the bottom of my shirt and then drew two semi-circles along the bottom. I cut these to form the ties for my open back shirt so I made sure to leave them attached to the fabric and not cut all the way through. 

I then drew a straight line across the shirt at the point where my open back would end. I cut along this line carefully avoiding the ties I had just made. 

I folded the ties right sides together and sewed. I then made sure to turn the tie right side out and it had a beautiful, neat finish. I repeated this on the second tie at the back of the shirt. 

I hemmed the edges of my new top to give it a neat and professional finish! 

To create a neck strap for my amazing new shirt, I used the neckline of the original top since it was stretchy material. I made sure it fit and sewed it on across the back. 

I am so obsessed with this open back blouse! What other long sleeve shirts upcycle ideas do you have? Let me know in the comments below!