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Mens dress shirt refashion tutorial

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 Men's button down shirt refashion tutorial

My husband works from home now but when he was in an office, we frequently donated dress shirts that had worn out. I decided to try and make one over into something I’d actually wear, and this is the mens dress shirt refashion idea that I came up with! I think it would be cute with a few of the buttons in back undone, too, but the weather wasn’t quite warm enough to try it out. If you don’t have any shirts to work from, check out my tips for shopping to refashion & upcycle here! If you already have a shirt, read my tips for actually sewing refashions here!

Men’s dress shirt refashion tutorial

As you can see, the ‘before’ wasn’t particularly flattering. I did look for a 100% cotton shirt because I knew I wanted to dye it, and it was a little less stiff than some of the poly-cotton blends.

Then I flipped the back to the front! I originally tried this exact same style of mens button down shirt refashion a few years ago with a silk version that you can see here.

The back became the front. Now that I’m typing up the post, I wish I’d played with putting that pocket on the front, do you think it would look good? One of the biggest advantages to refashioning a man’s shirt this way is that you get buttons without having to measure or space them out!

I think this was the first time I’ve dyed something that was already sewn, as opposed to dyeing fabric, and I noticed it left some fun little imprints where the buttons were. I was going for an organic, unfussy dye design and I really love how it turned out. If you want more indigo dye inspiration, check out this round-up of indigo shibori projects!

Please pin this mens button down shirt refashion post for later, here:

 Check out this fresh mens button down shirt refashion! Flipping the buttons to the back and adding some indigo tie dye totally changed the look, taking this mens shirt to womans shirt refashion to the next level. Follow the simple mens shirt refashion tutorial to take a stained dres shirt and make it over into a trendy top. #refashion #upcycle #sewing #tiedye #indigodye #sewingforwomen
Check out a quick video of the process:

Want to make your own? Here is how!

DIY Mens dress shirt refashion

Supplies

Steps

Step 1– Cut up all the parts! If you’re worried about having enough fabric, you can seam rip instead but I just cut along the seams because I knew I had room to spare. I chopped off the sleeves, collar, and seam ripped the pocket off.

Step 2- Lay your pattern pieces out and cut new sleeves. 

Step 3- Lay your front & back bodice pieces out and cut them. It would probably be best to trace the pattern piece so you have a full front but I risked using the “on the fold” version, just centering it over the buttons, cutting one half and then…

Step 4- Flipping the piece over, centering it again, and cutting it out on the other side.

Step 5- Finish sewing the shirt together as the pattern instructs. If you’re planning on dyeing, remember that the thread may not take the color and the safest route, if you don’t want the contrast, is to use a color matching the dye.

Step 6- Get ready to dye! I used an indigo tie dye kit that I love, you can see more details about what is included in this review post.

Step 7- This was hard to take pictures of, but I literally just scrunched it up from the bottom like a messy accordian, and loosely looped rubber bands over the tube I’d created.

Step 8- Dye it per the kit’s instructions and enjoy!

I can’t get enough of the rich indigo hues when it’s drying. How would you indigo dye a shirt?

If you want more men’s button down shirt refashion ideas, check this post out!

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Jennifer

Saturday 28th of November 2020

Thank you so much for the great inspiration! Your instructions are easy and clear. I love the look of back buttons. I love buttons! Anyway, I will be definitely making a few new tops. I have lots of pro fabric dye...so I can’t wait! Thanks again 👏🏼 Jennifer

Scarlet

Tuesday 4th of August 2020

You are so crafty! What a gift. I love the way the refashioned button down turned out. In fact I have a shirt that I bought brand new very similar and I paid a pretty penny for it!

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Saturday 7th of November 2020

thank you!!

Mallory

Thursday 27th of September 2018

Ah I'm glad I could make your day nicer! Your tutorial made me feel accomplished and expanded my abysmal wardrobe! So endless thank you's!

I posted a photo on your facebook page! I'm too computer illiterate to be able to post it in this comment!

Have a most lovely and creative day!

Mal

Thursday 27th of September 2018

I used your tutorial and made a really cool upcycled shirt! I also got introduced to a cool indie brand because of you! Your instructions are easy to follow and the photos are lovely! Thank you for inspiring and teaching me!

Stephanie - Swoodson Says

Thursday 27th of September 2018

Mal, your comment 100% made my day. I'd love to see it if you want to share :)

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