I was recently looking at pictures from my mum when she was about my age and the thing is: all that she wore is now totally in trend. Like Birkenstocks, ankle-free jeans and sleeveless shirts. This may or may not have been the inspiration for this refashion project here.

how to refashion an old blouse into a fashionable sleeveless shirt

My sister came by the other day with clothes she sorted out. Besides a fantastic white jeans that I wear now constantly I also took on a jeans blouse she wanted to throw out. It ripped on one sleeve and I saw the potential to refashion. So today I show you how to turn a blouse into a sleeveless shirt.

how to refashion an old blouse into a fashionable sleeveless shirt

This could be totally from a photoshooting in the 80s. Do you like it?

how to refashion an old blouse into a fashionable sleeveless shirt

All you need is:
– a blouse
– scissors
– sewing material (the needles and thread stand for my sewing machine – she’s shy and didn’t want to be on the blog)
– pins (not in the picture, I admit: I forgot them)

how to refashion an old blouse into a fashionable sleeveless shirt

1. Cut off the sleeves right at the sewing.

how to refashion an old blouse into a fashionable sleeveless shirt

2. Your blouse should look like this.

how to refashion an old blouse into a fashionable sleeveless shirt

3. I cut the hole a little bigger to have enough room.

how to refashion an old blouse into a fashionable sleeveless shirt

4. Take a cut off sleeve and cut 2 stripes out off it of 1,5 cm width.

how to refashion an old blouse into a fashionable sleeveless shirt

5. Pin the stripes along the arm holes with the right side on the right side of the blouse. Sew them on.

how to refashion an old blouse into a fashionable sleeveless shirt

6. Fold the stripes twice inside. As seen in the picture above. It hides the cut edges and makes a great hem.

how to refashion an old blouse into a fashionable sleeveless shirt

Voilá! You just made a sleeveless blouse that had been trendy 30 years ago. It might even be an investment and be hip in 30 years time. That’s some great upcycling right there!

how to refashion an old blouse into a fashionable sleeveless shirt

You might remember that jeans short I made a year ago. I still love to wear it. I look like a hippie now. A fashionable hippie though.

Now. Carry on!