I’ve been collecting shirts to refashion and began with a couple from the sewing room at St Pat’s Op Shop.

First up was a soft cotton long sleeved business shirt. Apparently I didn’t take a before photo, so no surprises there, but it was a pretty standard shirt.

I removed the collar and cut off the bottom and the sleeves. I used the harvested fabric to create the frills which I stitched on. Very easy.

I did add a little bow on the back, just because I could.

I also found this cotton short sleeved shirt at St Pat’s and took it home thinking I could do something with it.

The collar was in poor shape so I removed it.

I took it to the holiday place and played around.

I folded back the collar stand to create lapels and stitched them down.

I shortened the sleeves, which meant that I had to take the sides in as the armholes gaped. This solved the problem of some stained armpits, so that was lucky. I also shortened the body a little bit. Don’t mind my slippers, I find the wood floor inside makes my feet cold, so slippers are donned.

I stitched some bias binding to the collar, having removed the damaged part.

Then I turned it into a bow, combining it with a collar from another shirt refashion, sewing it on to a brooch back. I’m not sure how much I like this.

I added a “Circular Fashion” label to the bottom of the button band.

Now I look at these photos I think I might move the bow to a different place or remove it altogether.

I have several more to report, so will be back with them soon. Meanwhile here is a video you might enjoy!