How to turn a large button down shirt into a fitted casual dress.

In this tutorial I will walk you through how I transformed a XXXL thrifted mens shirt into a dress that I can wear out to lunch or work. I hope you like the video. Please like and subscribe if you do!
Music by twoplusofficial.com/

[@rendaowe]

I loved how you made sure to teach everyone how to make sure that the right sleeve got put back on the right side. Nothing is more frustrating than to think you are all done only to find out that the cuffs were facing the inside instead of out of the sleeve. 👍🏼😉😎GREAT JOB, LOVED IT! It turned out adorable! I’ve even seen tutorials that didn’t even include the shoulders and how to get them sized down properly.

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Lol! I've put on the wrong sleeve so many times. Very frustrating. But also not such a big deal because nobody would notice something like that. Thank you for watching and I'm so glad you like the video!

[@fridayschild19]

French darts added to the front and back would really give this dress an upscale look. Some interfacing to the belt, would add a more finished look, too. Great idea for an easy project!

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Those are great ideas. I think I might do another version of this dress with slightly better fitting finishes in the future.

[@liriapikouni7606]

Qq

[@SharonLippincott]

Fantastic! Even if you hit the half-price sale week at a popular craft/sewing store, the fabric for that dress would cost plenty. What a great idea to find fabric for so much less that's already half made. I'd like to see patch pockets on this dress. I need pockets for phone, etc. even around the house.

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

I love the idea of adding pockets! And I'm so glad you like the video. I usually get my thrifted shirts during the day of the week sale when they cost $1.99. A lot of the shirts are nice cotton or linen. And much cheaper than a yard or two of fabric. Plus, it is nice to make something new out of something that would otherwise be thrown away.

[@craftyredesigns8177]

This is the BEST mans shirt remake!!!

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

I'm so glad you think so!

[@rendaowe]

I thought so as well, she really covered some important information that I’VE see being left out of other’s tutorials. Great job.!

[@melaniemcneil407]

I really think this is brilliant. Thanks for showing how easy it is. Can't wait to try it, and also to see what else you have in store. Good luck.

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thanks so much 😊

[@rickjames7576]

Now that is an absolutely fantastic redesign !! Thank you for sharing this.

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Glad you like it!

[@margaretpodlich8098]

VERY useful. Watched it twice and started cutting. Worked well. Thank you!

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

You are so welcome! I'm so glad it worked out for you!

[@joecross8907]

Thank you for this tutorial, for me is hard to find shirts that fit me right, this help me to see how I can saw shirts to make them fit better.

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Glad I could help!

[@beeee4249]

Best video about shirts transformation so far. Thank you for sharing ❤

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you for watching!

[@kathleensauerbrei5199]

This is so helpful for we women that have nontraditional shaped bodies. thank you so very very much for this I have thought about doing this many many times to accommodate incredibly wide shoulders, I had no idea how to do it in a nice way. 🥰

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Glad it was helpful! And thank you so much for watching!

[@shannonamell7102]

Love this! I got some big shirts and want to turn them into sleeveless shirt, like they wore in the 50's. :)

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

That's a good idea. Maybe I will do a video like that next.

[@shannonamell7102]

@@RefashioningWithRachel That would be amazing :) ♥

[@helenwood3199]

Use some of the scraps to insert inseam pockets on both sides.

[@margaretclark5055]

Beautifully done!👍👍

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you very much!

[@jkucin]

Very nicely done! Thank you for sharing this fantastic idea.

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@beverleybarnes5656]

​@@RefashioningWithRachel Thanks for the timely video. Before watching it I was already planning tomorrow's visit to a thrift store where every piece of clothing is two dollars, to buy a cotton or linen shirt for repurposing as a summer nightdress. Your pattern is perfect for this.

[@plantkingdom6880]

Amazing. You make it look so easy!

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you!

[@SomewhereInIndiana1816]

Really cute!! That looks perfect 😍

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Bionicbabyy]

You did a very good job. Thank you.

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you too!

[@suemerritt1679]

That is so cute... Love your method.🥰

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you! 😊

[@SparrowStockwell]

I love it. So cute.

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you!

[@danniefrenchpea63]

Fantastic refashion, and really nice clear instructions 👍 Thank you so much for sharing this video 🙏☺

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@mariaantoniacastillo9314]

Muy bonito, útil y fácil de hacer. Muchas gracias.

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Gracias por mirar!

[@emmalove135]

I have always wanted to make a shirt- dress; thanks for the easier way to make it. 👍👍 9:07

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

I'm glad you liked it! Thank you for watching!

[@bodyandsoul17]

Great tutorial- thanks!

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@BettyJane2023]

I love to create my own clothes, and the best thing about today's society, your clothes is going to look better than what most wear today cause their clothes are too big, not matching, or torn up. So kudos to you trying to help someone look better by just doing simple cuts and seems. Professional sewing is overrated for today's dress codes , at least you show how to look decent. ❤❤❤❤

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you so much! I'm really glad you found my tutorial helpful.

[@miazuldecielo]

This is great! I like the idea and the music as well. Cheers from Montréal 🙋🏻‍♀️

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@marykirmo]

Really loving that you sewed the entire side including the arm seam. Why don’t we always do that? Also loving the skewer hack. Great video!

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you so much for watching! Yes, that is usually how I attach sleeves. Way easier.

[@DrPhylCunningham]

Cute! It turned out nice 👌

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@carolmarlatt3834]

Great Tutorial! Thank you!

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rosawebster5568]

💕 love it

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Than you!

[@laura6796]

So cute!

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Than you!

[@sofiakoshkina]

Thank you a lot ❣️ for your tutorial. I want to make this dress and now I wonder where to find a big shirt. 😉

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

I get mine used from thrift stores.

[@mikibrustur6450]

Felicitări,foarte frumoasa !!!

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you!

[@anadelarosa7925]

Amazing, God Bless you

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Than you for watching!

[@cindycoven1]

I just found you. This is awesome. Can’t wait til your next video.

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@mariajaramillo274]

Fantastic!❤

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you! 😄

[@cookandfun9796]

Wow amazing thanks for sharing 👍

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thanks for watching!

[@yvobalcer]

Very nice job but I think you could have added darts in the back to take up the extra fabric.

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Great idea!

[@clothingalterations]

Great tutorial 👍🌺🌿🌹☘🌷🌾🌻

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you for watching!

[@mariadelpilarreyes8523]

Quedo padrisisisisima

[@MountainMama1]

Great Job!

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thanks!

[@sandylee1717]

Well done!

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you!

[@elizabethfuhr5527]

Your pin cushion is like a dead mouse😸😸😸I like it.

[@ArlenePMCM]

I love it! Wonder what it's made of, it sort of looks like a scouring-pad material.

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Lol. Yes, I tried to make a voodoo doll, and it turned out so ugly that it's cute!

[@faviolamartinezsewdigitizing]

very cute upcycle!

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you!

[@curtisloew4554]

I kind of messed up my first one because the men's shirt had a regular shoulder, and my shirt had a drop shoulder and I didn't realize at first that it mattered.

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Ah! Yes, but hopefully, the shirt was just thrifted, so you didn't really waste anything special. And it was fun practice. And you could still do something from the scraps of that shirt. I have a pile of failed projects that I'm planning to cut up and turn into a quilt one of these days. I'm also planning to make a video of ideas for scraps of fabric.

[@mariabrustenga]

Gràcies per aquest tutorial pràctic i profitós. Salutacions cordials des de Catalunya.

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you for watching from Catalonia!!!

[@Bioluvskatz]

Awesome! PS your pin cushion is hilarious

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Right?!

[@leticiacaraveo7858]

So beautiful ❤️

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you

[@ArlenePMCM]

A) I love that music! B) You did a great job on that shirt to dress. More upcycles please 🙂

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

That is my friend's music. He has other music if you are interested in hearing more. His link is in my description.

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

And thank you for watching! I'm glad you liked the video!

[@bonnierobbins4230]

Lovely ❤

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you. 😊

[@marymagdalene3004]

Maybe the back could have benefited from elastic so as to draw in the area at the small of the back. But, appreciate your taking the time to share how you went about this transformation.

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Actually, I like that idea. I want to do a tweak on this idea so maybe I can incorporate your suggestion into the design.

[@koletadehart4892]

Very nice!!!

[@marykirmo]

It’s also fairly easy to do a couple small darts.

[@SparrowStockwell]

I can see it with darts or some elastic, but I also love the easier looser look like Rachel created.

[@gg79139]

Great idea! I put in small darts

[@ivamussagy8261]

Perfect❤

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you!

[@vanessap8354]

Cool idea

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Glad you think so!

[@VSue76]

Thank you🌸

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

You’re welcome 😊

[@ushasahadeo4309]

Great job👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@user-ct7qb6pu7c]

👏 очень красиво получилось 🌟

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you!

[@user-vu2zc8zm9x]

Самый простой , без заморочек путь переделки !!!

[@octoberorchards3117]

Most of the restyle shirts are full of ruffles and gathers. I wanted to find something more tailored and this is one I will definitely try!

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Wonderful!

[@zahraabdulla2914]

شكراً لك سيدتي 💐❤️💐

[@rebeccavinyard2899]

Super cute

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you! 😊

[@irenedavo3768]

Fantastic

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you so much 😀!

[@mariapiedrahita5211]

Lindo . Gracias

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

De nada!

[@beena8510]

Thanks for sharing

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thanks for watching!

[@wicakaro6046]

Thank you for your video! That was easy, wasn't it. I'll try with a dress of mine, thats lot too big for me. Hope I can do it as you did.

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Good luck! I'm glad you liked the video!

[@morenagomes7607]

Genial!👏👏

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you!

[@iamtvblake]

Great content 👌 ❤

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Glad you think so!

[@sofiacecilia6341]

Thank you so much 🌻🌻🌻🧵🧵🧵

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you for watching!

[@buzoianulyubovi1822]

Nice!🎉❤

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thanks!

[@brightkreations1300]

Great job.. maybe just dart the back side a bit.. then perfecto! 🤗😉👍

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

That's a good suggestion. Thank you for watching!

[@opulentlilt455]

Hi, where did you find the tool to pull the tie right side out? Great video!

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

That is a loop turner hook.

[@kaylaacuna9972]

love! What if we wanted to do short sleeves ? I’m still new 😅❤

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Yay! Just cut off the ends of the sleeves and hem them!

[@maryloupipes9154]

refashion more..... this is great!

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you! I will!

[@user-Elle41]

Very cute

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you! 😊

[@JohannesJunkJournalLife]

I need a video to make a knit shirt from and xL to a medium in the shoulders!!!

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Good idea!

[@normacooper6377]

Clever

[@marymendoza3351]

Nice job! I repurpose a lot of my clothes too…do you have a serger? I just sew the edges with the machine cross stitch but doesn’t really look as seamless..😀

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

I do have a serger. It makes a nice finish but a zit zag stitch does almost the same thing. And nobody is going to see the finished seems anyway. Thank you for watching my video!

[@marymendoza3351]

@@RefashioningWithRachel lol yes good point but I’m a perfectionist, also I just worry it won’t stay as tight too by doing the zig zag method thank you

[@yettaloyd507]

You are good❤❤❤

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you!

[@giovannapardi6579]

Grazie mille.

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Prego!!

[@joannapriscaduval7685]

Nice

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you!

[@helenwood3199]

If you sewed through the cuffs, how did you unbutton to turn them back on the reveal?

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Nice question. I sewed through the cuffs along the underarm seem line which is a few inches away from the button placket. If you look at any button-down shirt and pinch in a little bit of the cuff right where the seem line is, you will see it does not affect the buttons. But you will end up with a seem in the cuff. Which is fine if you sew carefully and make sure the ends line up. Also, finish off the raw edges and stich them down on the inside of the cuff.

[@user-uz8cp7sf9p]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Xoxoxo!

[@angelairenaable]

the cuffs look they were sewn together in the repurposing but at the end it looked like they still had the button fastening?

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Yes, I just sewed right through the cuffs. So now there is seem through the cuffs, but you barely notice it, and you get to keep all the original cuff details.

[@CordulaPrice]

I just subscribed 😊

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you!

[@ketrinajames3165]

Thanks much

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

You're welcome!

[@kimzeck9827]

❤❤❤

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thanks!

[@user-ed8jr6ix3h]

👍👍👍❤️🌺

[@shirleymccaa6625]

I’m so confused how you riled the sleeves after cutting off the buttons?

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

I do not understand your question. I did not cut off any buttons.

[@marianacosta1147]

Top.

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Xoxoxo

[@selmamoreiragorito7789]

Aqui nesse caso é bem assento pois já fiz mais tem casos fora do normal

[@nasrinmehmeti8818]

👍

[@user-nd1tn2bn3d]

Отлично, но пояс не нужен, для дома и так свободно хорошо!

[@carajahit12]

Cara mengecilkan baju yang bagus,Vidio anda luar biasa❤️👍

[@rosactaylor]

I like it as it is but yes having French dart would be better specially at the back.

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

That's a good idea.

[@aying2160]

terima kasih 😍

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Thank you for watching!

[@suzysandor3131]

My husband is gone be missing some shirts soon ❤

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Lol! Awesome

[@jabeendaya]

I’m going to convert all his Donald Trump shirts. Nice fabric.

[@julialopes6979]

Lindoooooo

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Gracias!

[@conniesmith5161]

Would be really cute with some black leggings

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

That's true!

[@darksilk1967]

Oh1 Boy! Now I am free, I will do it. You, adorable, create a moster. I willsewing all....

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Have fun!

[@suzysandor3131]

So far it does work for me at all, canot align the sleeve thing😢

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

You might want to try to look up a "set in sleeve" tutorial for more detailed instructions.

[@suzysandor3131]

Thank u, Could u tell me where it is?

[@magalicoelho771]

👍✋🇧🇷🤩🤩🤩

[@kbee1735]

Please stop that annoying repetitive background noise!!! Your voice is lovely but ruins your video!!

[@RefashioningWithRachel]

Noted

[@sharonlalli1414]

Had to quit watching because of background noise.

[@gg79139]

I agree. It is so unnecessary.

[@sarahelliott2046]

So angry

[@gg79139]

I’ve tried this. Didn’t really work as well as your example, but, got the shirt at a thrift store so was only out $5. The sleeves and side seam were a bit wonky, but I’ll try again! I am an experienced seamstress used to working with patterns, so, adjusting to this manner of stitching is a bit of a trick. (PS: have to agree with others posting here, the background noise is very annoying)

[@carolinevidemark8564]

I love these shirtdresses - but I find it difficult to manage the very stiff collar and cuffs, that you get from men's shirts. I don't see any easy way out of that problem?! Any ideas, folks, please?

[@TheBaumcm]

Do you mean stitching through or accommodating the thickness of fabric? If the former, you up can try a heavier weight needle, like a denim needle, if the latter, you can use a small button or something similar to help keep the presser foot even.

[@carolinevidemark8564]

@@TheBaumcm No, I mean when wearing the dress. But of course, once in a while you find a shirt that's both biiig AND more informal :-) Good suggestions, tho, thank you :-)

[@user-em4pl3wu3i]

Платье как платье. В клеточку.