Sunday, September 08, 2013

Refashion Fail Follow-Up

A few weeks ago, I showed you that things don't always go smoothly when it comes to refashioning. I attempted to turn an over-sized men's dress shirt into a cute feminine top with the original buttons down the back. Remember that?

To recap, it began with this free shirt, complete with holes and bleach stains.

Plaid Top Refashion

I used the Sorbetto pattern (purely as inspiration though, so it cannot be blamed in any way for my failure). The end result would have been totally fine if only the pleat would have behaved itself.

Plaid Top RefashionPlaid Top RefashionPlaid Top Refashion

But I loved the buttons down the back! I just had to save this project somehow.

Plaid Top Refashion

So I called on all of you, dear readers, for help, and boy, did you pull through for me! I thought about just tacking down the inside of the pleat to be done with it. But you all had so many wonderful suggestions, I knew I had to go a step further and make this a top I would truly love. Theresa had a great idea - pintucks! With the fabric's lack of drape, more structure was really what it needed.

So, after a few weeks in time out to think about what it had done, I retrieved the top from its cell (i.e., my closet) today. It expressed genuine remorse for its actions and promised to behave better this time, so we got right down to business.

I picked out the top and bottom hems and gave the front a good press.

Button-Back Blouse

Then I marked off the top and bottom edge at 1-inch intervals. Starting in the center and working my way out, I folded the fabric from pin to pin, and stitched 1/4 inch from the fold all the way down the front.

Button-Back Blouse

In order to take in more fabric around the neckline, I added four more pintucks on each side, starting at 4 inches long, then becoming progressively shorter as I went outward. I also tapered these pintucks, kind of like an inside-out dart, so there wouldn't be too much puckering at the ends.

Button-Back Blouse

When I went to press my pintucks, I realized that having an odd-number of them sort of hindered the symmetry thing (which direction do you press the center one - right or left?) So I just decided to remove it instead. Then I pressed my pintucks outward, toward the side seams - the right-hand tucks to the right and the left-hand ones to the left. Finally, it was time to rehem the top and bottom edges.

I am so glad I decided to ditch the pleats. I like the pintucks so much better, and I don't have to worry as much as about re-ironing this top every time I wash it.

Button-Back BlouseButton-Back Blouse

Button-Back BlouseButton-Back Blouse

Button-Back Blouse Before & After

26 comments:

  1. You've done an amazing job!! Well done!

    www.angelfairydust.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. That came out perfectly- it's a really cute top now! Congrats- maybe one day I'll get up the guts to try something like this. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can do it, Heather! I believe in you!

      Delete
  3. Very nicely executed!!! I especially like the 4 graduated length tucks on the upper bust area along with the squared neck line, which is very creative. The tucking compliments the fabric design.
    Montana Lady

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The squared neck line was actually just a happy accident - a result of those extra pintucks on the sides. As you can see from my original "after" pics, I had been going for a curved neck line. Oh well! I like the square better too!

      Delete
  4. It looks really good. And I prefer your square neckline to the original sorbetto one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Zom! I didn't intend the neck line to be squared-off - those extra pintucks on the sides did it - but I definitely like it better too!

      Delete
  5. UAU Carissa! That's AMAZING!!! Great Refashion! One of my favorites!!!! And great hair style! ;)
    Kisses from Portugal!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Helena! I'm so happy my hair is long enough for pigtails again!

      Delete
  6. Everything about this top works. It flatters you, the color is good on you,and the pintucks look even better than I ever imagined they would.
    I like the pigtails on you too, they complete the look.

    regards,
    Theresa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, it was your idea! :) Thanks, Theresa!

      Delete
  7. I love this! I have to try it. Great save and now you have a beautiful shirt. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Erin! Sometimes refashioning is all about going with the flow and being open to a change of plans. You might just end up with something better than your original idea!

      Delete
  8. Oh my, it looks amazing! I love how you saved it! The smaller pintucks on the side or gorgeous and I love how the buttons look up the back! I'd totally wear a shirt like this!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I wasn't sure how the side tucks were going to turn out, but there was certainly extra fabric at the top that needed to be dealt with. Luckily, it came out well!

      Delete
  9. Hi certainly the little pin tucks fit so well together with the bigger ones it looks so cool on you well done xxx

    ReplyDelete
  10. wow! well done! Now the shirt is perfect!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I'm pretty pleased with it too! :)

      Delete
  11. Great refashion. I admire your perseverance!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Barbara! I get by with a little help from my friends!

      Delete
  12. I think both versions are great! The first version is my favorite of the two though. I would have just not sewn the pleat into the bottom hem, which would work out great for me since I'm a big girl anyway. It would give me a little extra room to hide my chubb. LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I tried picking out the bottom hem, but sadly, it didn't help. The fabric just didn't have the right drape - it ended up looking more maternity-y than I would have liked.

      Delete