Upcycling a Men’s Shirt with a PILLOWCASE!

Рет қаралды 64,779

Күн бұрын

In this video, I’ll add loads of volume to the sleeve by adding strips from a pillowcase! I’ll also work my way through a new-to-me technique where I combine a piped edge with a bias facing. It turns out great!
MY FAVE SEWING TOOLS: My sewing machine - Babylock Sofia 2
My serger - an old Kenmore
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#diyfashion #upcycling #thrifting
Music: Good Day (Wake Up) by NEFFEX from the KZfaq Audio Library
EMAIL: contactcatherinesews@gmail.com
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Until next time, take care!
~Catherine
0:00 Intro
0:15 The Inspo!
1:16 Analyzing & Planning
2:16 Marking
2:49 Cutting
5:01 Taking in the Sides
6:13 First Fitting
6:57 Marking Darts
8:19 Prepping the Sleeves
9:56 Cutting the Pillowcase
12:20 Piped Neckline
19:04 The Sleeves
21:05 Second Fitting
24:29 The Cuffs
25:48 Adding Snaps
27:01 Done!

Пікірлер: 316

@eeddoosshh 11 ай бұрын

"..and anybody that's staring at the pocket area of my shirt that closely..should be ashamed of themselves" xD you cracked me up, Catherine! :) That was hilarious 😂

@christinegraham2579 7 күн бұрын

I am forever dazzled & greatly impressed by your intuitive ability to tweak your inspiration & design “on the fly” like you are right now! Thank you for showing us all what we can do with a little ingenuity & perseverance.

@laurettavanlandingham243 11 ай бұрын

I have never seen anyone else “wrap around the pin” to gather! I thought I was the only one who did that! I feel legitimized. 😊

@pamalicious8526 Ай бұрын

I was taught that by my mother in law in the late 80’s. She and I made raggedy Ann dolls aprons and dresses needed a lot of gathering. Even though I took for years of home ex in school I had never learned that trick.

@sallyescrader1434 11 ай бұрын

Catherine! This blouse makeover is pure genius! I love that you do a figure of 8 around your pins when gathering, like I’ve always done. And your piping with facing technique is one I’ve been using for decades, not just on necklines. I have a tip for you for the piped corners: before you turn in the facing, pull the cord out of the piping and snip it off so it only goes as far as the edge of the shirt. Wiggle it back inside, then you’ll have a far easier job turning and folding, with less bulk. My 2nd tip is to run 2 lines of gathering stitches, the 1st at half an inch, the 2nd at a quarter inch. Especially useful for sleeves (as they’re curved, the two lines get pulled together, but the outer line then gets pulled a little tighter). Two lines keep the gathers from moving and bunching as you sew, at the same time flattening it out. Sew at five eighths inch as usual or sew in between the lines and remove the first row afterwards if you want a narrower allowance. This technique makes easing in a set-in sleeve flawless. For those who are starting their sewing journey, may I suggest that you tell everyone about loosening the top tension to gather? Otherwise there’ll be an awful lot of broken gathering threads!! You and your work are truly inspiring. I love your channel! Greetings, once again, from the U.K. 😊

@CatherineSews 11 ай бұрын

Thanks, Sally! Great tip about trimming the piping cord at the end. And for two rows of gathering stitching, well, I’ve heard that over the years but never felt the need. But your description makes me think that I should explore it a bit more. It sounds like there are some real benefits in doing the second row! Thanks so much for your kind and helpful comment!

@sallyescrader1434 11 ай бұрын

Thank you for your reply… so few KZfaqrs bother! As I’ve been sewing since I was about 5 years old (over 50 years! Good grief!) and have no one who’s interested in learning from me, I do like to share my knowledge if I can. At the same time, there’s always something else I can learn! Just watched your draping tutorial and learnt that from scratch as it’s something I’ve never done. You truly are an inspiration, Catherine…. and I sincerely wish you were my neighbour and friend! What fun we’d have! Too much “disposable fashion” around these days. My business of 30 years went from designing/making wedding one-off gowns to altering cheap tat bought online (soul-destroying!). So upcycling is becoming my new passion! Thank you again. My very best wishes to you and your family 😊

@mammastreed5070 11 ай бұрын

I’ve always used 2 lines of gathering too. It’s also nice insurance just in case you break your thread! Love the upcycle!

@ptoste1 11 ай бұрын

So cool! 👏👏👏🤩🤩👌👌Thank for sharing the all process. You’re amazing 🤩 👏👏👏 and so humble ❤❤❤❤❤❤

@elizabethlee6047 9 ай бұрын

Great tip about the figure 8 around pin. 👍

@juliec4750 5 күн бұрын

One of the BEST upcycling videos I’ve ever seen. Well done! 👏👏👏

@debm6507 11 ай бұрын

Catherine you have such a good eye for transforming your thrifted finds into something wearable. I was not convinced this time that I would like the finished product, but I LOVE it! Great job! I always check for your new videos. I really enjoy watching you sew!

@ioneasaramona 11 ай бұрын

I like the way you refashioned this men shirt. The quality of your sewing is top notch. Please do continue to make this kind of video. 💗

@alishajennings2013 11 ай бұрын

That pillow case is the perfect color

@PreciousMe 11 ай бұрын

So love this. You took a runway look and made it wearable. Wowza. Love your creativity. You inspire me with each video. Big Hugs

@katieduffy593 11 ай бұрын

That top is exceptional, Catherine. Everything fitted so sharply and fell so nicely. A totally professional job. Wow.

@jennifermorris643 11 ай бұрын

That is DARLING!!! So cute...I'm a new sewer and learning from smart ladies like you! Thank you!

@Cndnwoman 3 күн бұрын

1:02 Oh Catherine, omgoodness, it's stunning. You're stunning. Thank you so much for teaching us. such a beautiful project. Blessings 🙏

@ArlenePMCM 11 ай бұрын

This is upping the upcycle game for sure. Super stylish shirt!

@ThatPlacefkaNebraskaBugeater 11 ай бұрын

Love this project. The shirt did make a very pretty & feminine blouse--& green is my favorite color. Using a pillow case to add the details is so clever. Now, I feel like I have more options for altering thrifted or even retail tops to suit me. Thank you.

@kathyswearingen1509 11 ай бұрын

way above my skill level but i love watching your creativity and skill

@barbarastclair9429 11 ай бұрын

I love your design for this blouse. I like it much more than the runway version.

@lucilledaub5991 11 ай бұрын

I love the color of the material. It looks great.Cute blouse.

@vickiewilliams3259 11 ай бұрын

Simply amazing...I love the final result. I don't think I would ever have thought to do that to a men's shirt. You should wear a cape - sewing superhero!

@robinlandtroop2774 11 ай бұрын

I have several shirts that my husband and son no longer wanted but I kept because I loved the fabric. You have given me such good ideas. Thanks!

@susanbaker902 11 ай бұрын

I think this is one of my favorite thrift tops you’ve done. Thanks for the inspiration.

@JinnyCJ 11 ай бұрын

The direction of the seam on the shoulder top is so useful, thank you.

@Sharon-pb7so 7 ай бұрын

Men's cotton shirting is so nice I go to the thrift store and buy as many as I can and take them home and remove all the seams and use it as quilting fabric. Seeing this transformation has me thinking about a few fabulous shirts I've cut up and now regret that I didn't try something like this. You're very creative, Catherine and just full of great ideas. Thank you so much!

@lesliesteinhauser2595 11 ай бұрын

So cute. I am really going to have to try this. You are giving me confidence to try something like this and I am learning quite a bit. I have Sewn since I was a little girl. But I never did any pattern adjustments at all. my grandmother was a beautiful seamstress and altered and remade clothes for my mother during the depression. Absolutely beautiful things. She would make me a dress and make matching dresses for my dolls. I was not much of a doll person. I would rather be out in the woods with my brothers. But my Barbie doll had clothes to die for. Unfortunately, my grandmother died when I was in my early teens and so I wasn’t able to learn from her.

@susanskidmore9516 11 ай бұрын

Oh, that was such a fun journey.. What an impeccable, romantic, sporty garment. 💗💗💗 I learned a lot.. Thank you so much..

@jeanstrandberg6166 11 ай бұрын

This is adorable. Well done!

@lorrainedempsey3320 11 ай бұрын

Your green and white upcycled blouse, turned out beautiful 😍

@snowartmom 11 ай бұрын

Thanks for the tip on sleeve puffs. In all my years of sewing, I never learned that. The blouse looks great!

@pato7721 4 ай бұрын

Thank you Catherine for creating this beautiful blouse. You are a terrific teacher & I am grateful to have found you. Your pleasant voice is soothing & you don’t bore us with unnecessary & unwelcome chit chat as some instructors do. You get right to the point & cover all the bases. 😊❤🎉

@Silver_Threads_Sewing 11 ай бұрын

You are AMAZing! I learn so much seeing the techniques you use.the piping, the topstitched sleeve cap and even the double thread for the snaps… wonderful. Thank you so much. The top is beautiful and no one would ever see it and think … pillowcase. ❤ Diann

@CatherineSews 11 ай бұрын

Thank you so much! That’s lovely to hear!

@EmmBee20014 11 ай бұрын

OMG - I love what you have done here. Going to tear into the pillow case cupboard as we speak lololol. Great video as always.

@dianahampton8768 10 ай бұрын

I watched a number of sewists and you have really nailed the quality of image, the distance of the camera from what you are sewing, and the position of the camera. So many people are trying to explain something and they just are not showing a good view of it. I am really impressed with the angle of view you have achieved, I can only imagine that the camera must be in your way but the result is amazing.

@CatherineSews 10 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! And you’re right about the camera being in my way, lol. That was definitely something I had to get used to!

@Puppy52 11 ай бұрын

I hope some day I will feel brave enough to cut into a men’s shirt I want to refashion 😂 thanks for sharing your process ❤

@refashionrose9499 11 ай бұрын

I Love the fabric of men’s shirts. You did a great job refashioning it. Pleas keep sharing your ideas it’s so helpful 😊

@CatherineSews 11 ай бұрын

Thank you! Will do!

@evasaker2476 11 ай бұрын

That turned out gorgeous! I love the way you do your videos, inspiration pictures, thought process, how you make your idea work and all the closeups. And how you think out loud to make us understand how the process goes. Very inspirational and useful! Thanks a lot Catherine! By the way, you have the same name as one of my daughters ❤

@terrys9798 11 ай бұрын

This video was perfect timing for me! I've been mulling over that very same idea of adding strips of fabric to sleeves in order to make them wider. I wasn't sure if it would look silly, where to look for a complementary fabric, or even how I would put it together. Thanks to your video, I now know it can be done, AND turn out looking great! Now if only i had your skills and patience! The blouse I'm planning to use is a women's pink pinstripe cotton shirt and looks similar to the green men's shirt that you used. I'm excited to get started on my hunt for a pink pillow case! Thank you so so much. I love this!

@bhallmark3390 11 ай бұрын

The end result is just lovely on you, and goes so well with the slacks!

@auntnessy7340 11 ай бұрын

Your creativity is impressive. I love your problem solving

@vickischmidt9332 6 ай бұрын

I always find men's shirts button spacing is more than women's shirts - so in love with this finished project!

@pamalicious8526 Ай бұрын

This is a gorgeous make over. Looks great on you. Your voice is so calming. Whereas mine would be bleeped out a lot during my sewing. But we get the job done.

@helenablignaut662 11 ай бұрын

Stunning! This is such a happy video. I'm searching for a shirt and pillowcase tomorrow 😊. I might give the piping a miss though. My sewing skills aren't quite there yet.

@deborahstone9696 11 ай бұрын

Just a thought, maybe save this video sew you can reference binding later. I myself am going to. Love ❤ her videos. Sewn for 50yrs now😂

@carlyk502 11 ай бұрын

Catherine, I love your thought processes to sew as you go, & how you’re so brave to rip it out, & start over again if the meticulous needs that you want aren’t met. My late mother-in-law told me…that in order to be a great seamstress , you’ll need to be willing to rip it apart & start over again. So you need to be a great seam ripper outer as well. It goes along w/the territory. Que sera, sera right? Whatever will be.

@gingerhenna9445 11 ай бұрын

Excellent fit style color and design!

@CatherineSews 11 ай бұрын

Glad you like it!

@stormyweather2807 11 ай бұрын

I love how you alter necklines. I thought I was the only one who couldn't stand anything snugged up against my neck.

@cherylraby399 11 ай бұрын

Catherine, I love your new blouse. I am inspired to try this. Thrifting and restyling is my new passion. Your channel with detailed instructions, makes this project a possibility for me. I am 77, with a DD cup, so wish me luck finding the right shirt! CherylinCambridge.

@janstetler9888 Ай бұрын

You would never guess that was a man's shirt! Lovely, thanks for sharing!

@judychapman1868 11 ай бұрын

Catherine, I love the blouse, it looks so nice on you! When thrifting I always look at the men’s long sleeve shirts; I’ve watched some thrift flips using them but this is the most feminine yet without being risqué. ❤❤Judy❤❤

@dorisshawcross4222 11 ай бұрын

absolutely stunning, another great use of a used shirt, all this super fabric at the thrift shop unbelievable I love that everything is used & given a new life thank you so much.

@barbarawarner4645 11 ай бұрын

You always inspire and validate my own sewing. I’m off to do this to a blue checked shirt that has been hanging in my sewing room for two years waiting for this video! Thanks.

@Queenread82 11 ай бұрын

Oh wow Catherine. I like this so much more than the Westwood one. Great techniques, lovely finishing.

@martasarber7133 11 ай бұрын

How adorable! Love how the pillow case matches perfect. Very beautiful. Thank you for sharing with us.

@juliescheidler7763 11 ай бұрын

I'm so jealous of you, you make it look so easy!

@donnasanders966 11 ай бұрын

Turned out great! Looks lovely with the slacks. Such a nice match.

@carolcarter865 11 ай бұрын

That look’s amazing. I like your version better then the designers. You knocked it out of park.! You are so inspiring. ❤

@DH-ku6qg 11 ай бұрын

Wow!!!! Stunning results. Great job... and loved watching you figure it out.

@heatherannekennedy9368 11 ай бұрын

So cute! I learned to sew when my grandmother died and left a trunk full of fabric, a sewing machine and two very detailed sewing books - one was the Bishop Method and the other was Vogue sewing techniques. My sister and I sewed all sorts of projects from those two books! I determined one winter that I would sew every project in the book cover to cover - starting with the simplest project - an apron or pillowcase I think - and ending with a fitted suit jacket and lined skirt. I was 11 at the time and it took me several months but I accomplished my goal ... many trips to Fabricland required! I felt like royalty in my suit with welted pockets and buttonholes. I'm pretty sure that your piped bias binding was one of the techniques I learned all those years ago ... but it's been more than 40 years so I can't be certain! Thanks for the reminder!!!

@franziskani 10 ай бұрын

You made a fitted suit jacket - as a _child_ - Impressive !

@heatherannekennedy9368 10 ай бұрын

@@franziskani the hardest part was dragging my mum to fabricland to get the notions I needed. She was not a seamstress!

@janetpaden8878 11 ай бұрын

You have inspired me! I can't wait to get to the thrift stores to find some men's shirts. Some of the things you tried, I have done myself. I think we all have tried something and surprised ourselves at how well it worked out. Never lose that creative spirit!

@ladyhawc03 11 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing it w/us. The top looks great on you. I soo enjoyed your video!!

@PamSmith-iv8zu 11 ай бұрын

Beautiful! Great job.

@lorieburtt592 11 ай бұрын

I love this! I thrifted an almost identical men’s shirt a few years ago, but hadn’t decided how I wanted to alter it to make it more feminine, or even precisely how feminine I wanted it to become. This gave me some great ideas. I often find that I am not bold enough in my upcycle aspirations. I’d like to go back in time, temporarily, to visit the fearless girl I was when I first started sewing. 😃

@sandygentry8455 11 ай бұрын

Notice men’s shirts have a little more space in between.

@olivemd 11 ай бұрын

Perfect. Love it. Suits you perfectly. Not my style, but I’m going to be looking at men’s shirts differently from now on.

@bonniecrowe1531 11 ай бұрын

This is my favorite one yet.

@sallysusinno7619 11 ай бұрын

I love your upcycles! Too often on other upcycle channels they down size a way too large garment or they way they do it …I just can’t see myself doing it. Yours are so very helpful and inspiring

@sharongallagher3443 11 ай бұрын

You made a cute blouse out of the men's shirt . What a transformation!

@Helenfromeugowra 11 ай бұрын

Another fabulous upcycle. 🎉

@Becky_in_Tucson 11 ай бұрын

Such a great top! Looks wonderful

@helenv2906 11 ай бұрын

Love these videos of shirt hacking! Have so many shirt from my husband and not know what to do with them. ///thank you for taking us with you on this venture!

@leannebarley9278 11 ай бұрын

This may be my favorite Catherine upcycle yet.

@robintheparttimesewer6798 11 ай бұрын

Love this! There are so many men's button down shirts in thrift stores you will never run out. It's also really nice seeing a recycled blouse that didn't involve cutting down something that was huge and still somewhat stylish.

@mjdevorick8404 11 ай бұрын

What a great up cycle!! It’s beautiful.

@doudou53d44 11 ай бұрын

This was outstanding !!!!👍😎🐕‍🦺🐈‍⬛

@lynmcnorton9627 11 ай бұрын

The blouse looks soooo lovely 😊

@dsiemen1136 11 ай бұрын

Wow! I love this blouse! You would never know it was a men’s shirt & pillowcase! ❤️

@belieftransformation 10 ай бұрын

Wow, great makeover; thanks for sharing! My mom taught me how to cut fabric on the bias for ruffles & facing many decades ago & so I’m so happy how that worked for you! Blessings to everyone 🤗💗🇨🇦

@jdcogar180 11 ай бұрын

That is one of my favorite things that you have made. Love it.

@susanpendell4215 11 ай бұрын

And not only do the colors of pillow case and shirt go together as well as both being cotton and sage green. But you've got an original design by you that fits you😊 I like this a whole lot better than the one that you showed at the beginning with the far too exagerated neckline, it was too naked. I like your design much better. I like the piping too, that looks like fun. As for the bias that you made, I think that I've seen someone do the same exact thing when making bias tape. That's because you asked, yes, I have seen someone else here online do that.

@Sharon-pb7so 7 ай бұрын

I do bias binding for my quilts. It's surprising how much binding you can get if you cut it on the bias, plus it makes such a nice finish as the last step in making a quilt.

@profesorakarenv 11 ай бұрын

Love this! You have inspired me to get out my long-neglected sewing machine.

@bohorustica8545 11 ай бұрын

You did it again :)) The tonal stripes in your sleeves is lovely and really does add a unique kinda chic to the classic stripes. Reminds me of the stripes in the MacKenzie Childs fabrics they used on their oh so wonderful early pieces. My first jump straight into the fire sewing project was cushion covers for my deck furniture. Figured out the piping ehich I did for most of the cushions. It looks so cute on your collar. Appreciate your sharing, most inspiring. :)) .

@bleudragon9 11 ай бұрын

Fabulous! I loved your last men's shirt upcycle and in this video you took it up another level. I'm going to try both. Thank you! ❤

@gloriahill9519 11 ай бұрын

You are so creative. It looks wonderful😊

@ZeroGravity514 11 ай бұрын

I love love love this transformation. Thank you very much. I’ve been trying to learn how to do something like this and messed up several men’s shirts. I think I got it now.😊

@henriettelinkshanderin1449 11 ай бұрын

I just love what you do! Your projects are so cute and smart and sustainable. Thank you!

@carolines2088 11 ай бұрын

I'm so waiting for my husband to declutter his shirts (that he hasn't worn for five years) so I can snatch some and make them mine! Great inspiration! Thank you!

@twillett100 11 ай бұрын

I love watching your remakes! Your skills are enviable! Keep giving us great ideas! 💚💚

@daxxydog5777 11 ай бұрын

This video was great timing! I am remaking hubby’s too big shirt with beer mugs and palm trees into a summer high-low tunic top, and I was pondering what to do with the neckline. Now I think I have some better ideas to make it much prettier!😊

@margaretttowler9404 11 ай бұрын

I really love how it turned out. You are so talented.

@Marilyn100w 18 күн бұрын

I remember my sewing teacher telling us we should use buttonhole stitch to sew on the snaps. I’ve never heard of that anywhere else but I always do it. It does look a great finish. 😊

@lindahodges2236 2 ай бұрын

A great job Catherine. Turned out wonderful. I would love to have the guts to try this. You would never believe that it was a man’s shirt let alone a pillowcase. Congratulations.

@janstetler9888 11 ай бұрын

How sweet. You did an amazing job!

@florencemoran2746 11 ай бұрын

I am so impressed with your design ability!!!

@sonsandgrandsons 8 ай бұрын

You made great decisions and your final blouse is A+.

@trishcostello813 11 ай бұрын

Loved this. I haven’t made piping for years! Looks great. I lost my sewing mojo (have been knitting instead) but having found your channel you have inspired me again. I have thrifted 2 dresses and remade one to take on holidays. I even made 2 pairs of children’s shorts (easy peasy) for 2 little great nephews we shall meet on this holiday in Fiji. It has been 4 years since we caught up with our New Zealand family so will be fun.

@hanliehaasbroek8504 11 ай бұрын

I am so inspired!! I'll buy my husband some new shirts. Gonna gut up his current ones!!! 😂

@dollmm23 11 ай бұрын

I love, love, love how it came out. Love the piping around the neckline and the inserts in the sleeves. The color is so soothing as well. It's a winner! 👍👏👏