I’ve been admiring all the embellished shirts ladies in Blogland are making. My bookmarks list has been growing and growing, so I thought it was about time I do something with it. I picked up some knit fabric at Jo-Ann’s the other day (when also getting some for Jace’s Halloween costume… more on that another day!). My original intention was to do something like
this from
Tea Rose Home:

But, when I got home, I was worried the fabric I got was a little too heavy to get the right ruffle effect. So I did some more digging through my bookmarks, and remembered this
shirt from
Anthropology:

Oh, how I love the cowl neck, and the way the fabric is gathered at the chest and then falls softly (perfect for hiding the not so pretty post-baby parts). So I got to work, my inspiration picture in hand. I used a shirt I liked the fit of as my pattern, cut the fabric, sewed the shirt together, added sleeves, you know… shirt making stuff. I really liked the way the shirt was shaping up. And then it was time to add the cowl. Ug. I did it once, sewed it on, pinned and pleated, fiddled, wiggled with it on, left it for a night hoping it might magically look nice in the morning. It didn’t. I think it might have looked worse. So out came my seam ripper. We have a love/hate relationship—I love how helpful it is, I hate that I have to use it. I visualized a better way to do the cowl. I did it. It didn’t look any better. Nolan was sweet and tried to be kind while also affirming my thought that it didn’t work. At all. Out came my seam ripper again. Back to my bookmarks.
In the end, with no help from Nolan (his comment: I don’t like ruffles. Oh, you have shirts with ruffles already? I haven’t noticed any that I don’t like.), I decided to have fun with the flutter flowers! And finally, third time was the charm, I love how my shirt turned out!
It has the loose, flowey shape of the Anthro shirt, with the feminine flutter at the neck line (which also mimics the style of a bib necklace). I feel like I’m writing a description for a catalog.

A view from straight on.

Close up of the flutter flowers.

I did two pleats in the back (and still need to find a way so it’s not as loose from behind), and sewed a few flowers on to cover them up.

I paired the shirt with some skinnier jeans (I can’t bring myself to wear true skinny jeans), and a three-quarter length khaki jacket. I like the way they all look together.

Oh, and threw on some fun, platinum flats that I bought a few years ago at Payless.
I had so much fun wearing my shirt today, especially knowing I made it. And know what makes it all even more wonderful? I only spent $8 on it! I think I’m going to have to buy a basic shirt pattern and have fun making lots of shirts with different embellishments.
Your shirt turned out awesome!
ReplyDeleteAdorable! It looks absolutely perfect.
ReplyDeleteWow. It is adorable! Love it.
ReplyDeleteYour shirt is wonderful. I have been book marking many of these shirt transformations also.
ReplyDeleteCan you tell me if you followed a tutorial on making the flowers and if so what it was. Also did you use a pattern for the shirt, I love the style and would like to get it.
Thanks for your help.
Blessings...sherry
Love it!!! And Nolan's comments:) Love the hair cut,too! I want one!
ReplyDeleteAhh! that is really impressive! I have got to figure out how to do that.
ReplyDeleteWow that's great! I am impressed.
ReplyDeleteI found you at the The Shabby Chic Cottage and I'm in love with this top! You did a great job. It's funny. I'm a great seamstress and have had a childrens boutique but I'm so timid to make adult clothes! I never have made a single clothing item for myself. You have inspired me!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. The entire outfit looks fantastic. I LOVE the color of the shirt. It looks really expensive! Truly great work... thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletewww.gwennypenny.com
Aren't you just a cutie! That shirt is to die for and the whole outfit is so cute!!!! Making one of those shirts with some little embellishments is on my list too! Come check out my blog when you get a chance!
ReplyDeleteVery very pretty! I like that added touch of detail in the back too~
ReplyDeleteI want a shirt like that! Super cute!
ReplyDeleteI love this shirt! How did you make your flowers?
ReplyDeleteHi....visiting and now following from Crafty Soirre.....I love your shirt ~ absolutley beautiful!
ReplyDeleteJill @ Sweet Diva
Awesome! It looks fabulous on you! I think the petals are much nicer than the cowl. You have inspired me!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this shirt. I now have to try it!
ReplyDeletehttp://polkadotsandpizza.blogspot.com/
This shirt is so cute! I would love to make one like it :)
ReplyDeleteI love how your shirt turned out! It is just so cute!!
ReplyDeleteI am passing the Happy 101 Blog award on to you. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteKatie
http://notjustdecorating.blogspot.com/2010/10/happy-101-blog-award.html
Hey! Monday is my day off too and when I do most of my crafting! Love the shirt!
ReplyDeletehis is beautiful! one of the best DIY ruffly shirts I have see out there! :)
ReplyDeletewow wow wow. just beautiful jill. thanks for sharing! i want to see a tutorial on how you put those flowers together - they're so creative and they look perfect!
ReplyDeleteThat is beautiful! Love it!
ReplyDeleteWith Joy, Carey
Ok, seriously!!!! That is adorable. Make me one and I'll buy it from you (beginner sewer here). :)
ReplyDeleteAdorable! Love the look of those flowers!
ReplyDeletehow smart!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you found it at Anthro~
another friday's favorite for sure :-)
Such a cute shirt! It looks fabulous! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletewhat a great shirt! I love how cute it is, I wish I was better at sewing clothes, I really just need to branch and try it more. Great inspiration!
ReplyDeleteSo.
ReplyDeleteStinkin'.
Cute.
Love it. WONDERFUL job!
Oh I love it! It looks awesome, and I had to laugh when you wrote about hiding the not so pretty post baby parts! I am right there with you (although...you look fab!) :)
ReplyDeleteJill, its beautiful!! I love it!! The whole outfit is adorable! :)
ReplyDeleteSo cute! You could sell that!
ReplyDeleteCute shirt! And I love how it looks with the jacket. Great Job:) Aimee
ReplyDeleteOMG I LOVE what you did with the flowers! Great interpretation of the flowers! You rock!
ReplyDeleteI'm linking this up on the MGR Facebook page. Thanks for sending folks my way!
Jill, I totally love all these fun sewing projects too, and I also have not tried them yet. It is so inspiring to see that you are not a pro, but after 3 times, shoot, you could have fooled me. Yours turned out fantastic. Really loved it, and the entire outfit looks so cute. Love your hair too, miss my hair short. So would you do me a favor and link this up to yet another party??? Mine, **Amaze me AUgust** I would so love to have you. I'm your newest follower, and happy to be here. Thanks Bella :)
ReplyDeleteSo happy to see you again at A Crafty Soiree! Your shirt makeover is awesome! I would love to have something this pretty and feminine in my closet. I love your bargain makeover, the color looks great on you and your whole outfit is really cute and hip. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to seeing you next time too:)
ReplyDeleteVery cute! I love the little accent on the back. Lisa~
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning! Definitely going to have to give this a try - and that whole outfit looks so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteDarling!!! You definitely need to post a tutorial!
ReplyDeleteGood luck w/Crafting with the Stars!! If you get chosen, I'll try to get paired up w/you since I'm also in Salem. :)
ReplyDeleteI mean Oregon. :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE it! SUPER CUTE! Excellent job, REALLY!
ReplyDeleteYou should come link this up to my Making It With Allie party!
Alliemakes.Blogspot.com
It looks great!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up to Show and Tell Saturday!
I can't believe you did the whole thing from scratch. It turned out wonderfully. I have beenbookmarking them too. I bought two shirts and was going to use the one to cut up for the flowers. I need to get going now that I see your inspiration - fabulous.
ReplyDeleteThis is super duper cute! Great job and thanks so much for joining us at A Crafty Soiree (-:
ReplyDeleteThe shirt turned out great. I love the color and the placement of the flowers. I've got a love hate relationship with my seam ripper as well, but it tends to be more of a hate and resentment type relationship.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to invite you to link your top up in my Top-toberfest Show and Tell Party. You can find the direct link below. Feel free to link up any other tops that you've made, embellished, or refashioned. I hope that you'll stop by.
Tricia
http://leafytreetopspot.blogspot.com/p/top-toberfest.html
it turned out really cute, maybe I'll be brave and try and make one, it looks easy to make.
ReplyDeleteWOW! That turned out beautiful! I love it! Your flowers are gorgeous. I soooo need to make time to make something for myself! I always sew for the kids, not me.
ReplyDeleteFabulous blouse!!!! Could you send me the name of the pattern you used - www.janaeking.com I would love to make one too.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is too cute! (And I love the shoes, too! ) :P
ReplyDeleteThat is so cute! It turned out great and I just love the color! Thanks for sharing at My Backyard Eden!
ReplyDeleteHi, You really should sell these! I would LOVE to buy one!
ReplyDeleteThis shirt is ADORABLE! Love it! Did you not use a pattern??? I really need to get my machine out..... I am now following.
ReplyDeleteI'm so impressed! It's adorable!
ReplyDeleteHi! I'm stopping by from CSI. I LOVE your top! I love to sew too and would love to make something similar, but I'm nervous to dive into making a garment without a pattern. Please keep us posted if you find a pattern you like!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love this! The detail at the back is outstanding!!
ReplyDeletehttp://ninetomidnightdesigns.blogspot.com/
beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I love the detail in the back -- as if the front isn't cute enough! Love it!
ReplyDeleteThe shirt rocks!!!!!
ReplyDeleteso beautiful! I can't bring myself to wear full on skinny jeans either!
ReplyDelete