Two-Piece Set Transformation

Tools and materials:

• Men’s shirt
• Measuring tape
• Ruler
• Chalk
• Scissors
• Pins
• Safety pin
• Elastic
• Sewing machine

Remove the pockets and sleeves 

In the first step of this DIY, seam rip the shirt pocket and sleeves off of the shirt. 

Cut the shirt 

Measure, mark, and cut across the shirt to create the two pieces for your new set. 

Make the shorts

Lay down the bottom piece and use a pair of shorts that you already have as a template to trace around.

Then cut both the back and front pieces for your new shorts. 

Lay the front and back pieces, right sides together, pin and sew the side seams with a straight stitch and a zig-zag stitch. 

Then pin the crotch seam together and sew the same way you did for the side seams. 

Add an elastic waistband 

Next, fold the waist inward and pin it down. Sew leaving a small gap to thread the elastic through. Topstitch as well while you are at your machine. 

Once you have finished sewing, use a safety pin to help thread the elastic through the channel. When it is all the way through, sew the two ends together and sew the small gap closed. 

Make the top  

In this step, move on to work on the top of this two-piece set. Lay a top that you already own and love, over the shirt piece, as a template and trace around it. 

Then go ahead and cut the top. 

Next, place the front and back pieces of the top right sides together and pin along the sides. Then sew a straight stitch and a zig-zag stitch along the pinned lines. While you are by your machine, zig-zag stitch along the raw edges on the top and bottom of your new top. 

To hem the top, fold over the bottom of the top and pin the fold in place. Then sew all the way around the bottom. Repeat this step for the raw edges at the top to give a clean and neat finish. 

Sew on sleeves 

Next, pin the sleeves onto your new top. Sew them on and add a zig-zag stitch. Don’t forget to hem the sleeves!

This two-piece set is just perfect! It is definitely going to be one of my most worn outfits this season. Let me know in the comments if you have any other men’s shirt upcycle ideas.