DIY: Oversized Shirt Into Fitted Peplum Top

I posted my last refashion about 5 months ago. Why has it taken me so long to post another, you ask. Mainly because I stopped looking for stuff to refashion. The new thrift store I frequent offers lots and lots of clothing items that are already perfect. But I was dying to make something mine again!

So, the past couple of weeks, I've been trying to look for a shirt of some sort that was a couple sizes too big so that I could work some magic on it. That's when I came across this little number:

Mitchell wanted to be in the picture with me. And I have a crazy hair!

It's this really colorful paisley-esque pattern. I hit the jackpot when I snatched this shirt up for $0.30!

Judging from the tag, it was from Kohl's. The pattern was kind of old ladyish, but that was what I loved about it. It was going to be an eye catcher: A modern shirt with an unexpected pattern!

I look like a fabulous Christmas tree!

On to the re-imagining!!

WAIT!!! I want to brag for a second. You know how I was always telling you that I needed to stop forgetting to purchase pinking shears?!

I finally effin' bought a pair! Woo hoo!

Ok, brag over. Back to this shirt!

The boring inside of the shirt.

So, I flipped the shirt inside out. I planned on turning it into a peplum, 3/4 length sleeve top. So I got to cutting:

5 inches off the arms and 9 inches or so off the bottom.

Then I tried it on to figure how much I'd need to take it in in order to make it fit nicely.

I measured and pinned about 4 & 1/2 inches on the sides and about 3 inches in the arms.

Then I sewed the arms and bodice where I pinned.

I also got a new kitchen set since the last time I had my sewing machine out! Worked great with the new set up!

I also needed to sew up a new cuff (or hem or whatever) on the arms. I just eyeballed it and did not pin or measure. I'm a rebel!

I lucked out in that my laziness still yielded perfect results.

OK, this is the dreaded part where I'd need to reattach the bottom to the top.

I've done this before on a dress, but it was so long ago (and only once) that there was some trial and error during the pinning process this time, but I made it happen.

Ohh joyous moment! I can feel how good this is turning out already!

My last bit of sewing and a slightly better shot of my table!

And that's it! I got this project done in hardly any time at all! I think one thing that majorly helped was that I couldn't find my tripod in order to take my before and after shots. It takes a lot of time to wait the 10 seconds between hitting the shutter and the camera taking the pictures because I always want to take 15 or so pictures to ensure I have one that doesn't suck.

Without the tripod, I used the next best thing: Quinn. And she just captured picture after picture in such quick succession! Thanks, kiddo!  It was fun to work together, little helper!

And here it is:

My eye ball looks weird. Don't look at it!

I am really happy with how the shirt turned out!! I even had these perfectly matched light blue heels to wear with it!

My blog wouldn't be complete without a picture of me with a double chin!

I think this is my first refashion that I've gone into knowing exactly what I wanted to turn my garment into . It's also the first refashion that I can wear with the current state of the weather!

This angle makes me look really thin! Score!

I'm ultra, mega pleased with how this turned out. I'm on the fence on if I should've made the bodice and sleeves a bit tighter or not. I'm kind of thinking it's better a little looser. It feels more comfortable that way.

I hope I can keep the momentum going and do a couple more refashions in the upcoming months for you guys!  Hope you enjoyed it ask much as I did!