Refashion | Men’s Button Up Shirt Into An Off Shoulder Top

Thee Kiss Of Life
by Thee Kiss Of Life

The inspiration: An off shoulder striped cotton top with 3/4 sleeves, buttons down the front and a drawstring tie waist.

I found this shirt off Ebay. I tried looking in store at the local thrift but didn't have any luck finding a big mens white cotton striped button down shirt. Since I was being pretty specific with what I wanted Ebay made it much easier to find it with all their filters. I actually really like this material, the detail is cute and it was in EUC. A great match.

First I grabbed a shirt I already had, not off shoulder but I like it's sleeve length so I used it for that. I also referenced the sleeve width for the elastic hem.

Then for the neckline, I pinned it while wearing it to the desired depth. Cut it straight across after.

I serged all the raw edges i.e. the sleeve hems, the shirt's top and bottom. Then sewed the edges back a half inch or so to create casings for the elastic and drawstring.

I'm pretty sure there's tools for this but I attach a safety pin to lead my elastic through the casing.

Then pull it all the way around and back out. You sew the elastic in place. I didn't sew the shirt closed down the button placket but you can if you want. I only sewed it down together at the top and bottom for the casings.

From the leftover material I was able to make a thin cord to use as a drawstring for the waist. The elastic across the shoulders doesn't start until about 3" away from the button placket on both sides so the top lays flat for most of the front.

Really all your basically doing is creating casings on a shirt that is bigger than your usual size. Casings for the elastics, across the shoulders and sleeve cuffs, around the waist for the drawstring. You could actually use elastic in that casing as well if you don't have enough leftover material for a drawstring or don't want that in particular. All of these casings allow for the top to adjust to your size while keeping a boxy loose fit.

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Thee Kiss Of Life
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