Men’s shirts, they’re just the gift that keeps on giving aren’t they? Even if they’re often less of a gift than something you sneak out of your dad’s/boyfriends/brother’s closet…. You snooze you lose buddy! But whether they’re pilfered or acquired through honest means, either way they happen to be be pretty much all the materials you need to make something new. This one shoulder top is the perfect example of that, read on to see how to make one yourself.
DIY One Shoulder Wrap Top
So you understand just what we did here, we took the shirt and turned it around (so it’s being worn backwards), we then cut one of the shoulders and neckline off to create the one shoulder style, adding elastic to keep it in place. Finally we cut the bottom off and resewed it as a wrap. It sounds like hard work but it really wasn’t and it turned out to be such a unique piece!
You need
- A men’s shirt
- Fabric scissors
- Chalk
- Elastic (2cm wide)
- Measuring Tape
- Unpicker
- Pins
- Sewing machine and thread
- Unpick and remove any pockets and buttons from the shirt.
2. Turn the shirt around with the back facing up. Cut off one sleeve diagonally through the shirt to create the one shoulder look.
3. Cut the shirt to the desired length, saving the off-cut from the bottom for the wrap section which we will create later on.
4. Fold and pin the top raw edge of the shirt down 2.5cm (the width of the elastic + 0.5cm) to create the tunnel for the elastic to go through.
5. Measure from the top of one shoulder to the under arm of the other and back around. With this measurement, cut the elastic to length about 5cm shorter than this measurement (this is to make sure the elastic is tight enough so the top won’t fall off).
6. Using the help of some chopsticks and elastic (or anything similar you can find around the house), thread the elastic through the tunnel then secure the ends by sewing it down at the openings.
7. Sew the two ends of the elastic together through the fabric to create a continuous circle at the top of the shirt. I sewed down about 3cm and left the rest of the shirt open.
8. Pin and sew the hem up 1cm.
9. Using the off-cut from the bottom of the shirt in Step 3, trim the off-cut into a rectangular piece. Then pin and sew the raw edges down with a 0.5cm seam allowance.
10. Pin and sew one edge of the wrap onto the back of the shirt and you’re done!
To wear the top, all you have to do is slip it on and then wrap the fabric around your middle, tucking it underneath the wrapped part so it’s nice and secure.
Loving men’s shirt overhauls? Head here and here for other ones you should try!
Photos by Nicola Lemmon
I have so many men’s shirt lying in my cupboard, handed down to me from my brother, gonna make myself this top! Totally adore the wrap detail Geneva!
♡ Carina – Blog // YouTube
I totally love this project, the top is so beautiful and extraordinary!
https://www.makeandmess.com/
Thanks so much Michelle!
Oh my, I would absolutely like this try this DIY!
http://www.thoughtsinstyle.com/
Haha glad you like Neeltje, it’s definitely worth a go! 🙂
I could never tell that used to be a male shirt!
All the better the dad/boyfriend/brother won’t find out haha 😉
Wow!!! Another great men’s shirt project. You are so creative! I love the way you do what has never been done before. All your alterations are so original. I think someone could even make this simpler by not doing the bottom part and just tucking it in. I have saved this to my Men’s Shirt Restyling Pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.com/thelostapron/mens-shirt-restyling/
That’s so lovely of you to say Ana, glad you like!
This is fab & totally worth the effort!
Thanks so much Syretta 🙂
Great idea, very inspiring and I love the end result!
http://www.gloryofthesnow.com
Thanks so much Magda! x
Love the result of the DIY, and also love your trousers. Do you have a tutorial for them too? 😉
They’re a culotte from Iris & Ink from The Outnet. x
I don’t speak/write English well… so… I read your blog every day, you are fantastic , so nice and cute, I love your DIY: they are estraordinary.
I also love your trousers as Pamela…where I can buy them?
tank you so much
Hi love, they are a brand called Iris & Ink from The Outnet. x
This DIY looks so good! Thanks for sharing x
Jessica — WS Community
Thanks! So glad you like 🙂
such a great idea… love your blog… congrats
kisses
MORE_ELI
Thank you!
this is soooooo cool I need to try it!
Life is just Rosie
Instagram
Great to hear!
I just finished making my own off shoulder following your instructions and I loooove it so much! Even my husband said that the shirt ( I of course used one of his ;)) looks much better on me than it was on him.
Thank you for the idea Geneva 🙂
http://www.onestophappy.com/en/
Yay! So glad to hear you liked it! xx
I love this! but i’m a little confused on how to make it, what do you do with the “wrap” part? I dont really understand how to “tuck it in” or wrap it, could you clarify that part or does anyone else know what to do? I really want to try this! it is so nice!
Melisa.