DIY: A Man's Button Down Now Fits Me!

I went thrifting earlier this week and got a great deal on a man's button down shirt, in black material. It was only $0.50. It was begging me to bring it home and turn it into something spectacular. Unfortunately, it did not know that I am new to sewing and pretty much suck at it. I've only had my sewing machine for a few months and have only started/finished one project, so, this shirt was pretty much just begging to go live in my garbage can.

The shirt in question.

As you can see, there's nothing special about it, so this should be super, super easy, right?! Aww heck no!! My sewing machine is threaded with white thread. It took me months to pull the bobbin thread up and after one project, I think I'm good enough to try to fuss around with the thread again?! I am obviously pretty dumb.

Looks easy enough! Nope. Changing thread is worse than going to the dentist!

Making a black thread bobbin was easy, but getting that bobbin to stay in the underneath part and do it's job was a complete no-go. In fact, I bent the needle trying to make this work. I can't believe I actually suck that badly. I had to go to the store and buy another one (and a few more just in case I bend another one). I didn't want to screw things up even worse, so I had my husband, Joe, put the new needle on.

Joe, I'm taking a picture of you lovingly helping me! This is the look you give me?!

Of course, he acts like he's sick of doing stuff for me, but he secretly loves it. He just likes to act like he hates me.

Now, was that so hard?!

"I will keep taking pictures of you until you look like you actually love me," is what I told him in order to get this shot. I only had to take 2 pictures. I'd say that was pretty good direction on my part!

Couldn't find my sharp scissors, so this looks like a child cut it.

Back on track, finally! I cut the arms off.

I REALLY need one of those pin cushion things. But first, I need to get better at sewing!

I tried the shirt on and pinched the sides to get an idea of how much to take it in. I have small shoulders, but am wider at the hips. I didn't want to take it in too much. I decided on an inch and a half.

I have no idea what I'm doing. I think I did this right. We'll find out soon!

Then I pinned the arm holes. It seemed like I was going to be left with big gaping holes, but I figured I could sew them more shut after I got a good feel for the fit.

I really do have a pinky finger. It's just really small, I guess.

Then I sewed everything together, now that I had a brand new needle and somehow magically threaded the bobbin in less than 30 seconds!! Go ME!!!

Hmm.. Got a big cat fur on my shirt already.

I cut all the excess fabric off and tried the shirt on. I didn't take into account that since it was a man's shirt that the shoulder area would be WAY broader than my own. I didn't really feel like re-sewing the armholes, or finagling something to tie it up with the scraps, so I thought maybe sewing down the shoulders would solve the problem of the gaping armholes AND the extra flap of fabric over my shoulders... You can imagine my surprise when it actually worked!

Hubba hubba!!

I threw the first pair of jeans I could find on and had my husband snap like 35 pictures of me. They all came out terribly. Black on dark wash was not very flattering... Back to the drawing board!!!

Thanks for the red belt, Mom!! It's just the pop of color I need!

I was WAY more impressed with the white jeans.

Trying out sexy faces to impress you with. I like this one a lot!

Joe didn't enjoy spending another half hour taking 78 more pictures, but he did it because I promised I'd make a delicious dinner for him the next night.

I'm not really all that in love with the shirt. It's a learning curve. I know I'm going to have to fail sometimes and this falls into that category for me. The fabric is WAY too heavy and gets all bunchy when I tuck it in. I should've grabbed something a little thinner. Or maybe I should stick with women's blousey tops to get the fabric and easier fit that I want.