Perfect Puff Sleeve Dress Upcycle

Tools and materials:

• Men’s shirt
• Tailor’s chalk
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Needle and thread
• Pins

To begin this incredible upcycle, I cut off the sleeves from the men’s shirt. 

I then measured 12 cm from the buttons of the shirt and marked on both sides. I measured down 5 cm from my first markings and used my tailor’s chalk to mark that point as well. 

I drew a line between the bottom markings I had made, using the ruler to keep it as straight as possible. 

Next, I measured 6 cm from my marking and drew two new points. 

Using my ruler, I connected the points I had just made with the first markings by drawing a diagonal line. 

I moved further down the shirt and drew two markings 5 cm in from the edge. I connected the new markings to the marking I had previously made.

For the final marking, I moved down towards the bottom of the shirt and made points 4 cm in from the edges. 

Finally, with all my markings drawn, I could cut out my fabric. 

I really wanted my new dress to have the perfect finish, so hand sewed a hem at the top edges in the front and back. 

In this next step, I marked 38 cm from the shoulder of the sleeves of the old shirt. Using scissors, I cut along my marking to get the length I needed.

I then cut open the seam of the sleeves. Once the sleeve fabric was laid out in front of me, I cut off the stitching around the edges so that I had the perfect pieces. 

I then double folded the curved edge of the fabric to create a channel for the elastic. Using a safety pin attached to one end of the elastic, I thread it through the channel. I made sure to sew the elastic in place once it was through. This is such an important step because it helps create the gorgeous puff sleeve. 

Next, I pinned the edges of my sleeves onto the dress. I couldn’t believe how quickly this piece was coming together!

I also pinned the sides of my new dress together. With so many pins holding the dress together, it was time to sew. I started hand sewing the dress together using all my pins as a guideline. 

For one of my last steps, I created a second channel for the elastic in the bottoms of the sleeves to create a professional finish on the dress and give it the most amazing puff sleeves. Once again, I used a safety pin to thread the elastic through. 

For the final detail, to make this dress a little more fitted I decided to add darts. I marked exactly where I would create the folds and then sewed them in place. 

I am so in love with this puff sleeve dress! What other men’s shirt upcycle idea do you have? Let me know in the comments below!