This week our challenge was to refashion a men's dress shirt. I knew I didn't want to use the buttons vertically, my original plan was to use them at the neckline and have them go down the arms. As I was constructing the shirt, I just started playing around and came up with a design as I went. It's completely different than I envisioned. It really kind of designed itself as I was putting elements together...I feel like my inner creativity was taking over and the left side of my brain was on vacation. It was nice.
I placed the bodice front pattern with the shoulder seams on the edge of the shirt front with the botton holes. I left the button hole placket intact and used it as a decorative element on the sleeves. I created bias tape from scraps of the shirt and used it around the neckline. There are snaps where the front and back of the shirt overlap so it will fit over my daughter's head. I used more bias tape to make a bow for the front that I embellished with an extra button.
I used the edge of the shirt with the buttons as the bottom hem of the front of the shirt. I LOVE how this turned out. I think it's a very creative use of this part of the shirt. So cute!!
Here is my daughter modeling it. I wanted it to be cropped, but I think it would be a better fit on a child a bit smaller than her. I think one of my friends' daughters will be inheriting this top. It's still cute, even if it is a little snug :)
