*update*
Wow! thanks so much for the kind feedback :)
I'm planning on deconstructing/reconstructing another shirt over the next week or two and will attempt to make a photo tutorial of how I go about "fabric stealing" from another garment.
The basic design of this blouse started with Vogue pattern # V8196.
I liked several things about the pattern but also knew I wanted to change several things -so- I started by making a mock up (out of cheap muslin) to check the fit and mark what I wanted to change.
In the end, I 1.) shortened the sleeve height, 2.)narrowed the sleeve bands, 3.)added a bust dart to each side for better bodice fit, 4.)changed the gathering at the bottom into pleats for a more flattering fit & 5.)most major change was to square off the neck line ,which required adding a facing for stability.
I took the original Hawaiian shirt apart at the seams to get as much fabric as possible out of it and cut the neck & armband facings out of other fabric. I usually cut anything that isn't visible out of leftover fabrics of similar weight/quality anyway to save the pretty fabric.
I worked on it 20-30 minutes a day over the course of a week.
thanks again & hope the above info is of some help in the meantime.
After many moons of lurking and procrastinating I was quite pleased to get the okay for a six month commitment to the Wardrobe Refashion :)
I have been sewing for many years and have heaps of vintage/new fabric, patterns & clothing to work from and am quite excited with this challenge.
My first refashion to share is a thrifted $5 mens Hawaiian shirt that had enough fabric to be restyled into a girly shirt for summer & trimmed out with some vintage brown rick rack trim. The facings were done with a completely clashing/contrasting fabric (that will never be seen -so- I figure it's fine).
I work crazy hours, but am amazed at what can be accomplished with only 20-30 minutes a day of sewing. This blouse was made in that time frame over this past week. My hopes are to knock out a piece a week and actually have a heap of new (to me) garments by the end of this 6 month time frame. I am also in the process of taking better care of myself/getting healthy again, which also means losing weight & neeeeeding new clothing.
It's always neat to see what other sewers are up to & thank you for letting me play, monica
more detail shots on my flickr pagehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/20735360@N08/