Upcycling a Men’s Shirt with a PILLOWCASE! 

"..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 😂

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. 😊

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. 😊

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

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!

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!

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. 💗

That pillow case is the perfect color

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

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.

Your new blouse is beautiful on you. It looks nothing like a man's dress shirt anymore. Wonderful. I love the sleeves and the neckline. Great job! You look cool, comfortable, and so dressed up in your smartly up-fashioned outfit. Someone told me that women's blouses, shirts, dresses, and jackets button to the left because women used to ride horses in side saddles. Buttoning to the left was supposed to keep the wind from going inside their tops. I have no idea if this story is true or not. My grandmother rode horses in a side saddle; but, both of her daughters (my aunts) rode astride (in dresses during the 1920's and 1930's). I have never been on a horse in my life. Now, could someone please tell me why today's runway models look so sad and pissed off? Runway models used to look happy and pretty.

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

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.

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. 😊❤🎉

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

That turned out 💯times better than I expected.

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

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

Material for the edges: old mens ties. They often have beautiful patterns, are multicolor so they will easily fit, and are always cut on the bias. Often they are silk (you can expose that binding to regular washing, if it is only a small edge). Could add an interesting touch. The other thing for not so experienced seamstresses: Crochet (or knit) a border and use that to finish off and to decorate the edges. Can be a nice detail. I once did a border. First row was a chain, and the next row was just a "grid pattern": One stitch / double stitch, one chain. Then the next stitch / double stitch with a little distance into the base. Normally with 1 chain in between stitches or double stitches (depends how high you want it) you would leave out also one chain in the first row = the base. But the band (which is a bit elastic anyway) can also be shaped into a curve by leaving out more spaces on the first row. You can shorten the second row and thus force it into a slight curve (done occasionally, but in a regular manner. Or only at certain spaces). That border can be sewn on with a machine or manually. I used a "feathery" effect yarn in a matching color and it came out great. The long sleeve shirt was a fine, very stretchy, high end jersey. It had a tight turtleneck and when I cut that off (directly at the seam) unexpectedly there was this huge gap: the neckline was much larger then expected (material and pattern was too tight so it was worn out a bit). So the original plan to just turning the edges over a tiny bit and fixing it with a manual, decorative running stitch would not have worked. The crochet border protected the cut edge and added a bit of material to the neckline. It was still generous, but not excessively wide / deep. I could have left the seam and cut on the other side (= the side of the turtleneck) then it would have prevented the material from giving so much way. Not a solution in this case, as the material was so thin one would see the former seams. But I will remember it when cutting up other textiles.

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.

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 ❤

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

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

This is adorable. Well done!

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!

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

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

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!!!

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.

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

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

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❤❤

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!

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.

Excellent fit style color and design!

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!

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.

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

This may be my favorite Catherine upcycle yet.

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.

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

Beautiful! Great job.

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. 😃

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! ❤

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

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 🤗💗🇨🇦

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!

Oh wow I love the piped edge. Definitely adding that to my sewing tool box. Love the way the piece came out. The green looks FABULOUS on you.

Your green and white upcycled blouse, turned out beautiful 😍

Cathrine: I do think you can make a silk purse out of a sows ear. This blouse is a beauty and I liked the last one you refashion. I wish you were my sewing teacher when I was learning.

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.

The blouse looks soooo lovely 😊

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

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.

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

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.😊

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

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!

OMG! Your blouse is gorgeous!!! I think I’ve said before that you are a genius, but you have really surpassed your talents with this one. The extra tips were brilliant also.

Funny that you used a pillowcase. Just yesterday, I bought a beautiful designer bed sheet with thin blue lines and tiny whales printed on it. I plan to use it to make pyjamas.

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.

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 ❤

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

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

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!😊

This is so impressive it looks great what a cool idea! I have a similar project afoot…I took one of my Dads shirts that had a ditzy lavender pink purple floral pattern on it after he died, he wore it on the last Christmas he had with us. About 5-6 months after he died I found a second identical matching one on EBay and now I have enough fabric to make a beautiful blouse. Kind of like a feminine early 60s look with a bow /ascot detail at the neck and it perfectly matches both a purple and fuschia wool mini skirts I have, I’m still narrowing down my vintage patterns-arms bodice neck-which I might put together piecemeal. It’s a very smart mod look. My Dad was an art director he had very good color sense and taste. Who doesn’t love repurposing a men’s shirt?

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

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. :)) .

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.

Your creativity is impressive. I love your problem solving

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

The piped edge on the neckline is fabulous & so very feminine. 🫶🏽

A terrific look -the neckline is so pretty! I love the addition of the pillow case cover , it really makes the whole look very special. Great job Catherine! ❤❤❤

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

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! 👍👏👏

Watching your videos and listening to your voice is ASMR for me! And you teach me so many things about altering garments! Thank you.

Wow, this transformation is fantastic. I love the finished product. You are such an inspiration. I need to go thrifting for men’s shirts.

Hi Catherine, I enjoy your videos and have just watched this on. I have a couple of tips that might help you. 1. Pull the cord outhe end of you pipingt about 1 cm so you can fold over the end without folding the bulk of the cord as well. 2. Use dental floss to secure domes. It is strong and doesn't twist and tangle as you sew. Also don't use a knot at each end. Do three little rows of tiny back and forward, stitching away from the dome and same to tie off thread. When cutting off ends pull a little so end of thread will disappear back under fabric. . 3. When creating gathers use two rows of stitching, about 2mm apart. This creates a stable base and more even gathers. 4. Never finish your stitching at the edge. Backstitch 1 cm then cut the top thread 1st. Then tug the bottom stitch before cutting to pull rhe remains of the top stitch through to the wrong side. This creates much cleaner finish. On seams that will have a crossed seam such as side seam into armhole don't backstitch. Wastes time, and someone's creates disturbance in fabric. Never unravels if stitch length correct. Keep up the good work and inspiration.q

You are such a professional 😜. I luv all of the various techniques that you used on this upcycled green blouse. The whole video was just, WOW, WOW, WOW. Thank you so,so much.

Especially loved how you split the difference and marked the darts. AND. like how you wrap the gathering thread around the pin!

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

Catherine, it's prettier than the inspiration...you go girl!

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!

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

Katherine, I have learned so much from your videos. I love the up-cycling projects, seeing your thought process and adjustments you make on the fly.

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

Wow! You really have the knack of improving things and making them fit you so well and look great! Thank you for sharing with us! I love the idea of taking runway inspiration and making it wearable.

Catherine, your creativity amazes me. I love the blouse. It looks fantastic on you. Well done.

Your version is so much better than the photo! Love how your shirt turned out! Good job!

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

Love to see clothing makeover videos. That took some work. You have a gift from God. Glad you didn’t give up. Take care and have a good day!

I love the way you deal with the serger threads starting at 5:32. I come back to your video over and over again when I forget how you did it. I love this method. The other methods have never really worked for me!

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

Appliqués fix everything! Handbag or clutch to finish it off and carry your pink lipstick! I splashed bleach on a beautiful navy tank dress, ending up with pink splotches ( far worse than your dye job!) so I sewed little pink butterfly appliqués on every pink dot and then little curved trail stitches behind each - turned out fabulous!