Very Easy DIY Bell Sleeved Embroidered Blouse Refashion

4 Materials
2 Hours
Easy

Who doesn’t have a plain shirt or two in their wardrobe?

If not, thrift shops have loads of boring blouses just waiting to be livened up!

Grab some stashbusting inspiration and transform those dull tops with my very easy DIY bell sleeved embroidered blouse refashion:

Grab a plain button up shirt + a couple of vintage hankies and a pretty embroidered scrap (large enough to cover the pocket).

Slip the blouse on and use a folded hankie to decide where you’d like the bell sleeve to fall then mark the area to be chopped off with a pin.

Fold the blouse in half, line up the sleeves then chop on through at your mark.

Stitch together any open bits on the end if needed and set aside for now.

Snag a hanky and fold it in half to make a triangle then folded it in half again.

Grab the blouse and fold a sleeve in half.

Pop the folded sleeve onto the folded hanky with the corners of the sleeve evenly lined up with the sides of the hanky. Use it as guide to chop off the hanky point.

Open up the hanky and pop it over top the raw edge of a sleeve with right sides together.

Stitch together and repeat with the other sleeve.

Carefully remove the blouse pocket.

Pin the pocket to the embroidered scrap with right sides facing.

Stitch together as close to the pocket edge as possible leaving a small space for turning right side out.

Flip right side out and top stitch all the way around

Pin on the blouse using the original stitch marks as a guide.

Stitch it on – remember to leave the top open so it still functions as a pocket.

Enjoy your fab new top and continue your passion for refashion with my Confessions of a Refashionista e-book series!

Suggested materials:
  • Button down shirt
  • Vintage hankie
  • Embroidered scrap fabric
See all materials

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Confessions of a Refashionista
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2 of 4 comments
  • Bet ! Bet ! on Nov 13, 2022

    That's different . I recently had some vintage hankies given to me so your idea is a good one . Thank you !


  • Sandra R-J Sandra R-J on Dec 17, 2022

    I like your idea but I know the hankies would annoy me covering my hands. I would cut the sleeves higher up, just below the elbow, removing the placket altogether.

    It would look good on long sleeved T-shirts, too.

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