Turn a 3 Dollar Thrift Into a Vintage Blouse

Evelyn Wood
by Evelyn Wood
6 Materials
$5
1 Hour
Easy


My goal with every tutorial is to turn those used, unloved and a little bit tacky thrift store pieces into beautifully refashioned vintage-style outfits. Today, I am going to be showing you guys how I took a kimono-style top and turned it into a 20’s style blouse that I absolutely love.

Tools and materials:

  • Blouse
  • Seam ripper
  • Scissors
  • Pins
  • Thread
  • Sewing machine
Make a vintage blouse


Sew a vintage blouse

Create your shape 

The first thing I did was use a seam ripper to detach the sleeves from the body. This will leave us with two big pieces of fabric. I picked the seam until the underarm point, leaving me every bit of seam allowance possible for my hip area. Next, I am going to pin the fabric to the shape I like and use some scissors to cut out the shape of my shirt's body. 

Vintage blouse refashion

Get creative 

Find some matching thread and sew along the edges of the pins you placed. If you can, try the shirt on after sewing the waist and underarms to make sure your fabric fits, and then continue to sew the hips. At this point, the basic construction of the shirt should be done and it is time to decorate. Here is where I had to get a little creative and find a style that is both interesting, true to the ’20s, and still possible with the pieces I have left. 

Vintage blouse thrift slip

Make the necktie 

To make the necktie, I first continued with the seam ripper to separate all my pieces of fabric. Next, I placed the matching pieces right sides together, pinned them down, and sewed them together at the edge to make one long piece of fabric. Then, I folded the fabric in half (the long way) to make a tube, pinned, and sewed again. Repeat this until you have two matching pieces. 

Vintage blouse pattern

To finish this vintage blouse refashion, pin the pieces of fabric you sewed to the shoulders of your top and then sew them down with a nice finish. Finally, tie a nice knot with the straps and let the necktie drape over your chest. Add a belt around your waist and some cute accessories and you’re ready for a 20’s inspired night out! 

Suggested materials:
  • Blouse
  • Seam ripper
  • Scissors
See all materials

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Comments
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3 of 16 comments
  • Nancy K Nancy K on Apr 10, 2021

    Yes, I am inspired. Very nice re-do into a cute top. I also dislike those hanging ribbons they insert inside the garments. But, who knows? Maybe if I accumulate enough of them I could have a new project. I like your hair and makeup.

  • Bet ! Bet ! on Apr 09, 2022

    Absolutely LOVE it ! I have quite few long Kaftans that I could utilise this way ! Thank you for this idea !!

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