Button Down Rehab Day 5: Pillow Monster

Today's BDR guest poster is one of my favorite people. She's got an amazing eye for creativity, style, photography, and she's one of the funniest people I know. Plus, she's my sister-in-law, so that automatically gives her cool points ;)  

When she's not working full-time or going to school full-time Shannon blogs over at Details of a Love. I'm so glad she was able to find time to make something for the series!

And you're definitely going to want to save a shirt for this project, cuz oh man is it cute!
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With this any-ding-dong-can-do-it pictorial tutorial, I'll have you making a pillow monster in 15 easy steps!  I'm going to stop before I start sounding too much like an infomercial.  Like I said up there, I'm Shannon.  You can find me over at Details of a Love (when my insanely hectic life gives me the time to be there).  Right now I work full-time and go to school full-time for architectural drafting.  So that leaves very little time for the fun things in life.  

I started making pillow monsters as gifts for the nieces / nephew.  It's completely baby-friendly because there are no hard pieces, and 100% cuddle-able.  The best part... you can make it look like whatever you want!  I never use a pattern.  It's just kind of a go-with-the-moment type of project.  

What you need for this, aside from the basic sewing paraphernalia, is your button down shirt to rehabilitate and some plush fabric that is snugglicious.  The monster can be any size you like, any shape and any color.

Anyway, LET'S GET STARTED!

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Thanks Shannon!! This has to be the cutest button down shirt refashion I've ever seen.

If you're ever in need some good eye candy, hop on over to Details of a Love, Shannon's photos, decorations and fashion never disappoint.

In case you missed the past few days, click on the picture below to see the other Button Down Rehab projects.

I hope you've been enjoying the series so far and finding some inspiration to transform your old button down shirts.

Next week, I'll have more guest posts, great rehab projects, and the chance for a giveaway.

See you back here Monday!

Button Down Rehab Day 4: Roll Cuff Sleeve Refashion

Unfortunately, one of the guest posters couldn't make it, so here I am again for day 4 of Button Down Rehab!

We're 4 days into our fabulous button down shirt upcycles and refashions, and I still have some other great projects coming to you from Shannon of Details of a Love, Gwen of Gwenny Penny, and Rebecca of Searching Out Simple.

But today, you get me again :)

This project is a simple refashion that is perfect for beginners.

I had a long-sleeve button down that's been sitting in my closet because long sleeves are definitely a no no in the sweltering Tennessee heat. With a few cuts and simple sewing, I refashioned the long sleeves into roll cuff sleeves with pick-ups.

Supplies:

• Women's button down shirt that fits you  
• Rotary cutter and mat
• Sewing machine and thread

This is the shirt I started with:

Step 1: Trim your sleeves.

First, I used my rotary cutter and mat to cut my sleeves off approximately 2 inches before the elbow to make it short-sleeve length. Remember, you'll be rolling the sleeves, so take that into account when trimming your shirt length.

Make sure you save your cuff, you'll be needing that later.

Step 2: Make your cuff.

Roll the raw edge of your shirt sleeve up about 1/2 inch and sew straight across all the way around.

Now, roll your sleeve up so that it's resting at the final length you want it to be. Your raw edges should be hidden now.

Step 3: Make your pick-up.

The pick-up is the small strip of fabric that will be holding your sleeve cuff in place.

Measure from the bottom edge of your sleeve to where you want the top of your pick-up to be and add 1/2 inch. This will be the length you need your pick-up to be. My measurement was 3 inches from where I wanted the top of my pick up to be to the bottom of my sleeve, so I added 1/2 inch and got the final length of 3 1/2 inches.

You will be making your pick-up from your shirt cuff. You want to cut your pick-up in a way that will include one of the buttons (or snaps in my case) for decoration. I laid my cuff out and cut it down the middle with my rotary cutter, then I trimmed it to the length I needed. Tuck the raw edges in and sew the edge of your pick up closed (as you can see in the picture below, I forgot to tuck the raw edges in, oops!) Repeat with the other cuff to get 2 pick-ups.

 

Next, pin the bottom 1/2 edge of your pick-up to the inside of your sleeve, making sure it's positioned on the side opposite your armpit. Make sure you pin your pick-up so that the button will be showing on the outside of your shirt when the pick-up is folded up.

Sew the bottom of your pick-up to your shirt cuff close to the edge.

Last, fold your pick up over top of your cuff and sew along the top of the pick-up to secure it to the shirt.

Now you have a cute short-sleeve shirt for summer. I layer mine over a tank top and wear it to work. I love my "new" old shirt.

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Click on the pictures below to check out the other great posts from the Button Down Rehab series!

Tomorrow, Shannon from Details of a Love will be guest posting with another fabulous (and really cute!) upcycle.

Linking up!

Show and Tell Wednesday at Blue Cricket Design