Choose a shirt that has thick cotton fabric.
Repurpose a long-sleeved button-up shirt into a new shirt. If you happen upon a long-sleeved shirt in the back of your closet or at a second hand store that is in great condition and with a desirable fabric, update it with a simple cutting and sewing job. Completely remove the sleeves and the collar. If the long-sleeve shirt was a man's shirt, tie a fabric belt around the waist to turn it into a sleeveless shirt dress.
Instructions
1. Remove the collar with its stiff points to update it.
Unbutton the long-sleeved button-up shirt and open it up on your work table. Using a pair of fabric shears, cut off the collar. Cut along the bottom of the collar just above the seam line of the collar band. Follow the line across the entire collar to create a no-sew Mandarin collar.
2. Cut along the shirt original right sleeve roughly 1/2-inch away from the seam to remove. This allows you to sew an easy hem along the old seam. Repeat with the left sleeve. Turn the shirt inside out.
3. Pin the excess material around the shirt sleeves down inside the shirt using straight pins. The excess fabric needs to be pinned onto the original shirt sleeve seams.
4. Sew the edge of the shirt sleeves with a sewing machine or needle and thread. Use a straight stitch or a running stitch. Tie a knot when you finish and cut off the excess thread. Remove the straight pins and turn the shirt right side out.
5. Wear the new customized shirt. Wrap a belt around its waist.
Tags: around waist, belt around, belt around waist, button-up shirt, collar along, long-sleeved button-up, long-sleeved button-up shirt