I just took scissors to another thrift shop mens linen shirt, and made it into a loose draping toss-over shirt with the original cuff placket still showing after I cut off the cuff.
I simply cut off the sleeves about 1-1/2″ longer than I want, made a pleat, and then pressed it all into a half-inch hemmed cuff.
This time I tried popping off all the buttons on the button bands and simply sew’d the button band over the button-hole band, because as I don’t ordinarily iron, and loath gaping button bands in front, and at the bust-line especially. Its kind of funky an interesting detail,but worth the experiment.
And I left a little open at the bottom.
I was thinking I’d go over it with shell buttons and just sew them on for the faux affect, but then I will wait & decide later, for some shirts are nice to have just pure linen.
The learning curve on this one was, 1. never buy a shirt with front pocket flaps thinking they’re easy to take off (the seam ripping was torturous and long). Although the holes from the previous stitches show now, they’ll go away in the next few washings. Or maybe never.
And 2. custom bias tape rocks! With the same kind of fabric, and it can be made easily. (This I had to use some linen from my stash, as it must be on the bias), but it is a great way to finish a neckline which is curving, for one really doesn’t want a ripply rolled hem like I did on this one. This is the little bias tape tool (admittedly I don’t really know what that swiveling part on it is for)… pull the fabric through and iron and neaten the folds to the middle as it comes out~~ voila!
Then I simply sewed the raw edge of the neckline to it and folded it on the inside to sew down. Simple, tidy, and sews up so professional looking. I found a good video tutorial on how to make bias tape here
I didn’t have enough cut from the length to make the usual front insert or cuffs, so this is an experiment of how I can change the look minimally.
The nicest thing about white linen is the transparency so visible when held up against light. The warp and weft of flax threads speak a language I can understand, sort of like the neat pleats and double-folded hems are sharing with me their secrets, all which make the shirt feel crisp and just a little bit like a veiled treasure.
I’ve been on a trend lately of simple collarless shirts, for in cool weather they just invite a nice lace cowl, and I am slowly acquiring quite a few of those, more recently craving to cast on with some fine flax lace yarn.
To see all of my New From Old projects, click HERE.
And lastly, is it my imagination or are most of my photos in this post really fuzzy?
Jenjoyce Design 
This is really darling, and one of my ultra favorite textiles. Fuzzy pictures? They don’t look fuzzy but my eyesight sucks anyway!
Well, so does mine, and most of my glasses are smudgy!!! I dropped my camera a couple of weeks ago and am worried I messed it up, but then again, I’ve been doing some photographs in low light.
Photo shoot tomorrow with my nieces, better get crystal clear shots!
It looks terrific. I wish I could do that. The shirt looks light and comfy to wear.
Now Steffy darling, you tell me just why you think you can’t do this? I go through all the trouble to show you even…lol. 🙂
Sorry; my eyes crossed. Sewing is a bit intimidating to me. I would have to learn right by your side, step by step, I’m afraid.
Seriously, I’d be happy to coach. And you know what else? All the tools needed are a single needle and thread. Oh, maybe some pins can be helpful. And an iron of course. Let me know if you’d like some virtual coaching, and I’m on it.
One day when the guillotine of Christmas isn’t hanging over my head. Thank you so much.
Wonderful summer shirt !!
I never saw such a bias tape tool. This is great , especially if one is sewing so easily a new piece for the weekend Outfit 📷
That is exactly right..
Here’s a youtube video! https://youtu.be/m5KOjp4k7-o
Wow! This is so interesting. I must have a look, if I could find one here ( would be a perfect present for a friend of mine – as we all now: Christmas is near 😃)
Petra, you can find them always at fabric stores selling sewing supplies, I’m sure Germany has plenty of those! 🙂
(( I just edited in a link in the post to the bias tape making tutorial.))
Jen, I love your new shirt. Thank you for the tutorial. The photos look crisp and in focus to me.
Thank you Wendy. I am pretty sure there is something wrong with the camera, I … er… dropped it a couple of months back, not hard, but worried I may have messed it up. I can’t be sure because my vision is what is fuzzy, and all my glasses I leave about too…lol.
Thanks! I think making my own bias tape has changed the world I live in, for I can’t stop thinking about contrasting bias tape , sewn on as decorative hems. Taking the old worn out linen shirts that are beyond darning, and cutting them up on the bias now, so I can get even more use out of them!