Bad to the Bone

Right before we moved, I picked up this tee for $12 at Buffalo Exchange. That's more than I would usually pay at a thrift store, but have you seen this shirt? It has a skeleton on it. Riding a unicorn skeleton. How much more badass can you get?

Unfortunately, there was just one big, huge, XXXL problem.

Also in my refashion pile were these chocolate brown, wide-leg trousers I scored for $2 at another store. That's makes up for the cost of the shirt, right?

My first step was to make the top a more manageable size. I flipped it inside out and laid a fitted tee on top of it.

I pinned the side seams and cut those as well as the armholes.

I sewed my new side seams and then set the body aside for a moment. From the excess fabric I removed, I cut out new sleeves, again using my existing shirt as a template.

I sewed the bottom seam of the sleeves, then flipped them right-side-out. I inserted each sleeve into its armhole (with the tee still wrong-side-out), pinned all the way around, and then stitched it up. Here are more detailed photos on that process, -in case it's unclear at all.

BUT! Before I show you the finished shirt, let's crop those pants too! The great thing about wide-leg trousers is that you can usually re-use the bottom cuff for your new shorts since it should be about as big around as the thigh of your slacks. I measured the width of the bottom cuff, then found the spot on the thigh where it was the same width. Cutting out the portion in between left me with cut-off shorts, and disembodied cuffs.

With the cuffs still right-side-out, I stuck them into the legs of my shorts. Aligning the inner and outer seams, I pinned the two pieces together.

Once the cuffs were attached to both legs, I folded them over to the outside and tacked them down in two places per leg, one on the outer thigh and one on the inner. This will keep my cuffs in place.

Now I know you're anxious to see the end results.

The top is much more flattering now.

And the pants are much less dated and more comfy for summer.

And in case it weren't already obvious, you don't want to mess with me. I'm hardcore.

How's about one more look at the sweet ride?