How to upcycle a men's shirt to fit a woman! (step-by-step)

Dear Sewing Friends, in this video I would love to share with You one of the ways to resize and upcycle a men's shirt to fit a woman! Here are more shirt upcycles - • How to upcycle a men's...
To see how to move the dart from the armhole into the side seam, as well as adding waist darts, please watch the fitted bodice block tutorial here - • How to draft a simple ...
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✂️ How to upcycle kids clothes - • How to upcycle kids cl...
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Thank You for being here and I hope that this channel encourages you to sew and make beautiful things!
xxx, Alisa

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

How to turn a men's shirt into a pair of shorts - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gabRf6Rtf79jgLM

[@Bright-It]

Hi, ThoughtfulCreativity: A creative suggestion for you ... Make that pocket smaller and place it on left sleeve. I did it to one of my up recycled shirt and friends asked where I bought it. It looks cool! Thanks for sharing great presentation.

[@stephanywisecarver9673]

I love how you explained in a concise and clear way how to make the alterations, especially the sleeve cap. Thanks for such great videos!

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Stephanie, I am so glad it was helpful!

[@pavlal.4552]

That collapsing of sleeve head is pure genius, thank you 👍☺️

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Happy to help, Pavla! :)

[@kristinjacobsen3417]

Yes it is

[@sherryberbit8624]

The sleeve cap is brilliant! Have a bunch of men’s shirts just waiting for this. Thank you!!

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

I am glad it is helpful! There are more ways to go about that sleeve, including a much simpler one, but... there are a few nuances to that option. I will see if I can explain it, and if so maybe it will be another tutorial :)

[@arvettadelashmit9337]

I love 3/4 sleeves. Your little, blue, up-cycled men's shirt is CUTE on you. Men's shirts are usually made from the very best fabrics. That blue is a must have.. Thank you for this video and lessons.

[@joancleans2184]

It’s lavender…

[@doriscassan6996]

There are so many men's shirts in the thrift shops in some pretty fabric.... this is a wonderful idea for them! With the price of printed patterns, you are helping a lot of people save money by teaching us how to do without them. Great work! You could teach at a college! I also wish that my unpicking worked as well as yours seems to. Sigh. Usually takes a lot of time and picking!!

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

In men's shirts (depending on the company and production) you can often see a chain stitch. It will have straight stitches on the right side of the fabric and looped stitches (chains) on the wrong side. That can be unpicked very quickly just by pulling on a thread from the wrong side of the fabric. But it really just depends on your luck with the shirt you have :) otherwise, yes, unpicking takes a long time :)

[@mformee7691]

Totally agree!

[@IceCream-hp7mm]

Love the armhole drafting tutorial, thank you!

[@michellemabelle100]

Great tutorial, and what a lovely result! It wouldn't have occurred to me to make three quarter length sleeves with cuffs!

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

It kind of came to me in the process, mainly because I did not really want to deal with the cuff, he he :) I have another shirt from my husband that I think I want to leave full length sleeve, so there I will need to do the cuff alterations.

[@petro3441]

Amazing. You are a magic needlework fairy

[@lana7422]

Fantastic!!! Thank you so much for this video. I have often looked at men's button down shirts in stores because I like the fabric so much. And it's difficult to find women's shirts at reasonable prices. Now I can go in and buy a shirt according to my neck size and go from there to edit to fit.

[@rbrown6476]

And also, there’s always really top quality mens shirts in the thrift store. Often these have a faded patch at the armhole where sweat and deodorant have bleached or soiled the fabric. Well that’s the bit you end up cutting off! And if the collar is too scuffed, I’ve made a blouse with a low rounded neckline. 😊 Wonderful video, thanks Alisa ❤

[@lana7422]

I have 4 or 5 Ross stores near me. They sell new discounted regular stock items. So I can get name brand men's shirts at around 25 to 50 % or so off regular price. And there are several thrift stores nearby. So I am very spoiled for items to use. Thx.💐

[@nellenejooste4636]

The way you draft the sleeve cap...wow. I will try that for sure 🎉

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

I actually have a full, very detailed video explaining how the sleeve is formed and how it "talks to the armhole" - there you can really see how it comes together and what to keep in mind.

[@bethprice9702]

Thank you for this video. I was familiar with drafting the sleeve cap. However, I never knew how the other KZbinrs did the math to form the cap height and made the front and back triangle like you did. That shirt turned out so cute! You inspire me to update my husband's old dress shirts that no longer fit him instead of donating to Goodwill!

[@jeanninej224]

I’m just getting back into garment sewing after a 25 year hiatus lol I was following along fine but by the middle I was lost. 🤷🏼‍♀️ This is not a reflection on your wonderful teaching, I just need to get more experience. I’ve been making handbags the last 5 or so years. I’m very glad I became a member of your channel!

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Jeannine, hello there! I have something to help you, I actually have an entire series for Members Only about drafting and sewing a button up shirt. You will need to have your basic bodice block done, as the shirt is developed from it, but for now it can also give you a better understanding of the darts, armholes. sleeves and shoulders, here it is - kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2etqX5olNarfas

[@ptoste1]

Amazing tutorial!! 🤩🤩🤩🤩So much info to absorb. It’s a privilege to learn from you. You’re such a good teacher. 👏👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏😍😍😍😍😍😍❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@reetle4440]

THANK YOU! I have searched for and watched DOZENS of videos on how to do this, and tried it myself seven or eight times. Yours is the first, and I think the ONLY video that shows how to actually do this correctly, especially how to draft the new sleeve head. I also love the 3/4 sleeve, which is my favorite length.Thank you so much for your fantastic tutorials. I can't wait to try this.

[@mformee7691]

Love love this..I work well with Mathematics & this totally helps in projecting the clothes in more 3 dimensional way. I screen shot & print for my cheat sheet.. I call it "Armhole tricks by Alisa". Thank you!

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

I am so happy you found it useful! By the way, there are full Instruction Sheets on Google Drive for Members - you can find armhole drafting in the Bodice Block PDF and all steps for the sleeve in the Basic Sleeve PDF. I hope this will help even more, you can find all Members Perks underneath any Members Extra video, like this one - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJTOn4SIetqKp9U

[@nancygossett]

Thank you so much. You have your craft down like nobody else. I bought a cute 2-piece outfit on Temu thinking it would be small, Chinese sized. It was enormous. I used your tecnnique to downsize and it looks absolutely perfect. You have an amazing spatial 3-d mind.

[@ireneparker8253]

Your measurements totally make sense. I knew I needed to draft something but I couldn't figure out a good way to do it. They also addressed some of the issues I have. Seam allowance, arm shape/size and the bottom curve of the armhole. When you collapsed the sleeve cap, my brain exploded. 🤯 I never thought of it. If the armhole is bigger than the sleeve, can you expand the sleeve with the same technique? This is actually my most common upcycle. I love the fabric men's shirts are made out of. Especially dress shirts. So, I thrift huge ones. My hips are about 2 sizes bigger than my shoulders/bust. I need the extra fabric at the bottom but not so much at the top. Thank you so much. BTW the t-shirt you were wearing is probably my favorite of your scrap creations.

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Irene, I am so SO happy this was helpful and hopefully will serve you well in the future upcycles. You can definitely expand the sleeve or collapse it - think of it as the same slash and spread method, just in reverse. If the armhole is bigger I would probably start with adjusting the bicep line, but you can play with both - cap height and the bicep width. The 1/3 of the whole armhole rule of thumb is for a standard set-in sleeve, but since this one is a drop shoulder, not a major drop shoulder, but it doesn't really sit right at shoulder joint, then the sleeve doesn't need the ease or not as much ease as doesn't really have much to ease around... and I don't do much ease in my sleeves anyway. You can of course copy the original curve of the sleeve and then do slash and spread and sort of "scale it down" - it could work if the new shape of the armhole is different in size but similar in the overall shape and the position on the body. I think there are a lot of ways how to go about it :) also.. If I was I had enough width for "my usual armhole" I would probably just use a button up shirt pattern from the button up shirt series I did for the Members, but there just wasn't enough fabric and the idea of a gusset did not enter my mind on time :D Oh yes, fabric in men's garments can be very nice... I remember I watched somewhere a while back that men's jackets have better fabric and construction than the same women's jacket.

[@benouetfab]

Thank you so much, I did need this tutorial!❤❤❤ (🙋🏻‍♀️ Hi from Paris)

[@stitchinginthebarn8307]

Thank you sp much! I was looking for a tutorial on this a couple of years ago because i was buying mens cotton dress shirts from the thrift store to make into quilts. I found so many nice ones i wanted to wear myself. I didn't have the skills & i couldn't find a good tutorial. Sering you do this makes me certain i dont have the skills but i think i can follow your directions. I'm so excited to try this even though i have little garment sewing practice! I thonk you demonstrated the drafting where i can replicate it. I think i kept a couple squirreled away until i found a good tutorial. The pocket thing is a pain. As i removed them from some shirts, for quit piecing, the corners were stubborn & would get a hole in it. On thin shirts. I left the pocket on and just used it as is and it was a reminder of where the fabric was from. Thank you so much for sharing this tutorial! Have a blessed week!

[@lilian2164]

Very nicely demonstrated. I am going to try one that i have. Thanks alot.

[@Sew_Over_50]

Thank you for this tutorial. It’s fantastic! I love the way you explained the process step by step. I wish I had your mind. You’re a genius!!

[@boa1793]

Fantastic adjustments. I learned a lot.

[@patcampton7163]

Very clever especially the sleeve head. I often see good quality reasonably priced mens shirts in stores that i like aand may haveca go at changing them.

[@robyn3349]

Thank you! I have a nice men's shirt that I will try this on!

[@PreciousMe]

Love this and can't wait to try it. I have some thrifted women's shirts that are too large. One tip I got from another You Tuber Catherine Sews is try using your steam iron from the opposite side to press out the stitch lines. Doesn't always work, but sometimes it does! Probably depends on the fabric. Thanks again. Big Hugs

[@pamd6532]

What a really great idea. Thank you for your creative, well explained, idea. You are so talented.

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Pam, it is my pleasure! I am glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@helenm3133]

Wow! Fantastic outcome.

[@AmberBlase]

Thank you your blouse tutorial is the best one I’ve seen. So many question marks eliminated!!

[@DH-ku6qg]

Wonderful job and it looks great on you!

[@GenXGranny]

Excellent tutorial!

[@juliah8691]

What a fantastic video! So helpful and straightforward and educational and just wonderful. I recently found a men's shirt at a thrift store in a beautiful forest green that I have trouble finding in women's clothing, and was hoping to do exactly this with it. I will be rewatching this video a TON when I tackle that as my first upcycling-for-me project!

[@cynthiafeldberg4782]

You do an amazing tutorial. Your quality of work is impressive and I appreciate your style.

[@regalrose3365]

Just the tutorial I was looking for, I have a few of these I need to do 😊

[@barbjansen6683]

Your video was excellent! I, too, have upcycled one of my husband's shirts to fit me, but your method was certainly more accurate. I was able to remove the stitching holes made by the pocket by rubbing over them with my fingernail. Doing that helps reorient the fibers and really helps hide those little holes (followed by a good pressing with my iron).

[@katwitanruna]

Thanks!! I immediately shared this on Tumblr and my family discord.

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

You are so awesome, I can't thank you enough!

[@katwitanruna]

@@ThoughtfulCreativity If I had the set up and energy to share what I know I would. I love watching you because you’re so lovely and smart and considerate. And even with fifty years of sewing under my belt, I learn new things from you. Well done!

[@bitsnharry]

That was fascinating! First of all I love the color of that shirt. The important thing was that I had no idea what to do with the sleeve or all those adjustments to make a new cap! You definitely have a gift for doing this and explaining it so well. Thank you so much.😊

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Hello, hello there, I am so glad that this was useful! I agree - the color is really nice, that is what attracted me to this shirt specifically :) By the way, there is a full Members ONly series about drafting a button up shirt - I go step-by-step about button placket, darts, armholes, sleeves and shoulders, you might find it very helpful for your future upcycles :) here it is - kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2etqX5olNarfas

[@Musicwarmsmysoul]

Really good tips!

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Glad it was helpful, Esther!

[@joannfagen4457]

Excellent explanation, thank you.

[@kathrynledger]

That sleeve cap explanation is the best I've seen. Fantastic, thank you.

[@NYCisland]

Love this video. It's perfect timing for me as I've lost weight and have quite a few well-made button down women's shirts that I really like, but they're too big on me now. I need to take in the sides and arms, and maybe the length. I'm excited.

[@victoriahannah1633]

Probably going to have to review this a this a few times but what a neat idea. It looks so very nice on you.

[@wendyb7993]

Absolutely fabulous thanks

[@patgottshalk8808]

The 3/4 length sleeves are brilluant! THank-you for this concise, detailed tutorial.

[@AnnRicci]

This wonderful. I have picked a few 'men's' shirts from Goodwill that I liked the print of. I will be doing this. Thank You !!! I actually like the long length .....

[@jomercer21113]

Fascinating! I've upcycled and tailored ready-made to fit me better--but without these neat measuring tricks, just pinning/draping. Some ready-to-wear has little holes punched in the fabric to mark patch pocket, etc. placement, so you have to be prepared to deal with those if you remove or reposition such a feature.

[@magscouk]

Now I understand why your clothes always fit so beautifully, it’s your attention to detail. I’m going to try this for some of my own clothing and if it turns out half as well I’ll be very happy! Thank you Alisa.

[@saraveradequinn]

Alisa you are very talented!

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Thank you so much, Sara, I try my best!

[@michelewegman2173]

Great, informative video! Thank you!

[@jalitzaa.v4725]

That shirt came out so good!! Thank you for the detailed tutorial! Am am very new to seeing and am excited to try this out! Thank you for explaining the sleeves so well

[@antoniokinsey4041]

I love your thorough explanation, especially by including you pattern making skills. Thanks:)

[@sandrajahn8071]

Wow, this is so very helpful! Thank you Alisa!

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

I am So glad! Next I want to do the same transformation complete with a bust dart and a waist dart - but I have to see if I have a shirt I would like to use for it :)

[@Hiker_who_Sews]

Thank you for such an up close and personal view of how you made your sleeve!

[@carolyng5235]

Thank you for this awesome tutorial! I have a thrifted women's linen top that I love, but it is too big in the shoulders and bust. I have worn it anyway, but was recently wondering about the best way to take it in, without messing it up. Perfect timing!

[@juanitar.miller5210]

Ohhh, I have got to try this one! You broke it down into manageable mini-projects; Thank you!

[@nonyabidness1623]

I don't know if I will ever get there, but, this demonstration leaves nothing to wonder about! What a great mind, and teaching skill you have, Thank You, and I will be looking into your other tutorials!

[@lonettehendrick9836]

So amazing! Thank you!

[@1anita1m]

It came out beautifully. Thank you so much for sharing your skills. Much appreciated. 😊

[@amyeklund746]

Very nice! I just did some modifications to a unisex buttondown that fit so poorly I never wore it. I had to buy too large a size so it would fit my hips but that meant the shoulders were too large. I wish I had seen your video before I did it because I would have loved to try your approach with the sleeve modification. I'm still pleased with it because it fits sooooo much better than before but I'll be on the lookout for another shirt to try your methods with.

[@_amch_]

This is such a great tutorial, thank you! I never knew how to adjust the cap to have the length match the armhole, but now when I see it it's so obvious...

[@TrixiaDK]

Thank you for sharing I love your tutorials, always detailed and very helpful 💐

[@user-hi3gc7jw5j]

Great video. Also, if you don't want to remove the cuff, you can move in the buttons to narrow the cuff without altering it.

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Thank you! You can if the difference that you need to adjust is minimal, say 1/4" or maybe 1/2" but in my case it would really overlap the cuff ends by a lot, skewing the sleeve placket and resulting in extra fabric inside of the sleeve cuff. It can for sure be a solution in some cases :)

[@theblessedone14]

God bless you Lisa🥰 I prayed the Lord that you make a video about this and he answered my prayer 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@ioneasaramona]

The shirt looks great on you! Even if you did not added a bust dart, the blouse still fit well on you.

[@jr85009]

You are an awesome teacher! Thank you!

[@auntnessy7340]

Thank you for a very thorough walkthrough

[@elvaparavani8981]

This is so complicated for me . I find it very hard but thank you anyway . I got an idea .

[@dotythrift]

Alisa your videos are the best❤,thank you!

[@cherylclear7346]

AWESOME video Alise! THANK YOU FOR POSTING! ❤

[@crazynatassa]

BEST VIDEO ON THE TOPIC EVER MADE. WELL DONE! I m subscribing!

[@kristinjacobsen3417]

Very nice!

[@SBL1932]

Very well explained and demonstrated

[@PalomaYara]

The resolution for the sleeves is genius!

[@MN-om5di]

Beautiful❤

[@TheGalactica2001]

Super helpful 🤗

[@deb.m.7458]

I wish I had that problem, re: extra large shirts to upcycle. I usually have to add fabric. Nevertheless, learned a lot today, especially handling the sleeve areas. Easy to understand and do. Beautiful shirt! Thank you ❤

[@warwickshirewolfpack]

Great video

[@karenwerts2331]

I've been wondering how to do this. Thanx.

[@sleepycat8887]

Looks so cute but so many numbers 🤪 lol😅😅😅

[@JoletteRoodt]

Love your new shirt! I would have left the pocket off as well 👏🏻 I was just using your narrow hem technique earlier this week!

[@marthaluciagarcia176]

Amazing

[@rinasaclo3880]

I like it

[@magdalenakuhn8781]

Great❤❤❤

[@allsquaredup9717]

You lost me at the thing that looked like a sailboat. 😜 You are impressive!

[@marieprescott9168]

I use vinegar to get a crease out. I wonder if vinegar would take those stitching holes out? It won’t hurt it and you can wash the smell out.

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Thank you for the suggestion! You're right - it would not hurt, maybe the vinegar will soften the fibers a bit and make them fluff up, will see :)

[@marieprescott9168]

Hey, I’m sorry I didn’t comment on the beautiful job you did on the shirt. It turned out beautiful and I hope to it started on some of my lady’s tops that are to big for me. I think you can use the same procedures to alter them, right? I love everything you do and all about you and your cute little family.

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

@@marieprescott9168oh no no, don't be sorry at all! I am thankful for your vinegar suggestion! You can for sure use the technique for your shirts - I would also look into the basic bodice block video ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3uZhKesbsdroZI ) because there you will see how a proper armhole is formed, what to do and how to go about the darts, adding waist darts for better fit and more :)

[@marikawieliczko6902]

Hi Alisa! I love your channel and just signed up as a member 🎉🎉🎉 just wondering if you or anyone else knows how i can find that content? I saw it after I signed up, but I'm not sure how to get back to that again 😢 I can probably figure it out but if you or anyone else wants to clarify it might be helpful for me or maybe others 😊

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Marika, hello there and welcome to the Membership! It is super easy, usually, while you watch my video, underneath there is a button that says "see perks" that you can click on. Also, if you just click on my channel name and then go to the "Membership" tab - all is there, videos, posts and sneak peeks. Also, in this video, if you start at about 4 minutes - it will explain where to find all of your Members perks, here's the link - kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4GcooaXotCJoc0

[@marikawieliczko6902]

@@ThoughtfulCreativity awesome, thank you!! I think I have it figured out!

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Yay :) I hope you enjoy all of the perks :)

[@mountainbutterfly8791]

Thank you for this tutorial! I am on a mission to not buy ANY clothes in 2024 and I am losing weight, so I am going to be altering my own clothes. This tutorial is definitely going to help me alter some of my husband’s shirts for me, too!

[@katwitanruna]

Hope the stitch holes came out!

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

My fingers are sooooo crossed for this! At least I hope that the fabric will fluff up a bit and they won't be as visible...

[@katwitanruna]

@@ThoughtfulCreativity try brushing the fabric gently with a soft brush (like toothbrush) before washing

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Good thinking, will do!

[@GC-kw1ks]

Is it possible to remove the button placket altogether when re-fashioning a Men's shirt- or at least, can these be partially sewn down? Thank you!

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

You can do both - remove and sew it down, it will just require additional adjustments and sewing :)

[@GC-kw1ks]

@@ThoughtfulCreativity Thank you

[@xandrit8160]

The explanation feels like learning trigonometry

[@melanieclark7949]

Men's dress shirts are so much better quality. I can see myself doing this.

[@kayrush9834]

On your thumbnail I need one that's pointing the other direction from the small to the larger

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Depending on how many sizes you need to go up it is VERY labor intensive + you will need to source fabric that is similar/the same as the one your are up sizing (or use contrasting fabric) and you will pretty much need to take the entire shirt apart, but that again depends on how many sizes you need to go up. If it is just a tiny bit - you can see if you can let out the side seams and sew them at a smaller seam allowance, maybe let out the darts to create more wiggle room.

[@donnairby5430]

Do you not bother with changing the sides of the buttons up the front to make it the traditional men’s on the right and women’s on the left front?

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

Nope :) in my personal sewing I don't follow this "guide" either when it comes to zipper closures, button plackets and etc - I just do what is comfortable for me, what suits the needs of the garment when it comes to the print and style. You can of course do that :) do what is right for you :)

[@anastasiatselos4964]

Je trouve que c’est très compliqué !

[@ThoughtfulCreativity]

If I can do it, then you can do it as well :)

[@TLStitches]

Great video! Thank you!

[@Musicwarmsmysoul]

Really good tips!

[@Musicwarmsmysoul]

Really good tips!