Last month I got to be part of Refashion Month at House of Estrela, and I really enjoyed creating this top. My mom had a bag of clothing ready to be donated, and I found this shirt in the pile. I wasn’t a fan of the shape, but the fabric itself was so pretty and soft that my mind started working on how I could make it work. And while you probably aren’t going to have this same top to start with, my hope is that you’ll take the process and apply it to a top you DO have. So enjoy!
Hi! I’m Lisa Mabey from Mabey She Made It, and I’m so happy to be here sharing a fun refashion with you today as part of Refashion month! I love the challenge of refashioning, and today’s project is no exception.
I started with a long-sleeved woven raglan with a ruffled collar. It was pretty boxy and not really working for me. As you can see, it’s pretty poufy, and I tend to wear my clothes more fitted. I also don’t like the way raglans make my shoulders look bulky, but since there was no contrasting colors for the sleeves, I can get away with it. And the ruffles? I didn’t like them around my neck. But the fabric is wonderful, and I knew I could make it more my style.
- To start, I unpicked the ruffles and bias tape tie and removed them from the collar. Taking them off left me with a huge neck opening since the neck had been gathered. I took the shirt at this point and marked the sleeves and shirt sides where I wanted to take them in (significantly for a more fitted look.)
- Next, I tried on the shirt inside out, and started pinning where I wanted my darts to take in the excess neckline and bulky shoulders. I created a small pleat on both sides of the placket in the front and also a big dart on both shoulders so the neckline was sitting flat and a comfortable size. Sew up the darts and the side seams, and finish your seam allowances.
- Now take the ruffle you unpicked from the collar, and pin and sew it to the button placket on the front of your shirt.
- Pin the unpicked tie around the neck opening of your shirt, and sew it on. Then flip the bias tape to the back side of your shirt, and topstitch it down, creating a clean neckline.
- Sew a button (this was the extra button found on the side seam) at the top of the shirt.
And now it’s much more fitted and much more likely to be worn. It’s made from a lightweight voile, so I could roll up the sleeves and wear it in summer evenings and it will be great for layering during fall and winter.
It looks great from the back as well. It’s flattering without being tight, and I feel confident in it.
If you liked this raglan refashion, be sure to stop by Mabey She Made It for more fun projects! And don’t forget to check out these other great stops for Refashion Month
From a Box * Rebel and Malice * In a Manner of Sewing * Miss Catelinhos * Threading My Way * Fairies, Bubbles and Co. * Mabey She Made it * Conversas de Hermanas * Lulu and Celeste * Made by Sara * La Folie * Climbing the Willow * HattieLu Handmade * Swoodson Says * Knot so Normal * Friends Stitched Together * Just Another Project * Sew Thrifty
I'd love to hear your thoughts–leave me a comment!