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Denim never goes out of style, but that doesn’t mean it can’t use a fresh twist occasionally. With Mother’s Day around the corner, I decided to put my handmade skills to the test. I took a dive into the scrap bin to transform a classic lightweight blue button-up denim shirt (actually chambray) into a personalized work of art that reflects some things my mom likes. Read on to learn all about the journey from plain to fun as I highlight some basic techniques used in this shirt refashion.
A Sustainable Fashion Trend
With sustainable fashion and refashioned thrift flips at an all-time high and trend, you’ll notice many fast-fashion items inspired by slow-fashion looks. Jackets made from quilts, patchwork hoodies, and (my favorite) bags made from upcycled garments seem to be everywhere right now. But before you run out and buy something new that looks old, have you given a try at a refashion project using items you already have at home?
Men’s Denim Shirt to Cropped Jacket Refashion
See how you can turn an oversized men’s denim shirt into a lightweight cropped jacket, perfect for layering.
Denim Shirt Refashion Inspiration
My mom inspired this shirt refashion project. There have been countless times throughout my life that I’ve seen her wearing a lightweight denim shirt out in the garden, so when I found this chambray shirt, I was immediately reminded of her. I sorted through some fabric scraps and pulled out things that reminded me of her, like flowers, feathers, butterflies, and the color teal. I gathered a bunch of scraps that had a cohesive look and got started on this shirt refashion using fabric scraps.
Materials Used in this Shirt Refashion Project
- button-up shirt (denim, chambray, or cotton) – check your closet or the thrift store
- various cotton fabric scraps – check your scrap fabric bin or other garments in your wardrobe
- floral patches are another great option (I have an army green jacket waiting for this!)
- HeatnBond Lite (use Lite for projects that will also be sewn in place) – not required but recommended
- thread
- embroidery thread
Tools for the Project
- fabric scissors
- iron/ironing board
- pins
- sewing machine/sewing needle
- embroidery needle
Before the Refashion
This lightweight button-up shirt in a beautifully comfortable chambray fabric was beautiful in its original form but as plain as it got. Chambray and denim are similar fabrics that often get confused, both will work for a project like this.
If embarking on a shirt refashion project like this, pre-wash and dry the shirt just as you will when the shirt is complete. I washed and dried the shirt to avoid any shrinkage later when washing. The same is true for the cotton fabric scraps that were used to transform the shirt with embellishments.
Transformation Process
Like many of my upcycle projects, it’s best to “just get started” and see where it goes. This shirt refashion project was no exception. I began cutting shapes from the fabric scraps. Flowers, hearts, leaves, butterflies, and feathers were generally cut from the fabric, as well as miscellaneous shapes.
All pieces were then pinned to the shirt to get a general idea of placement. Once I liked the layout of all the scrap pieces, I took a picture to reference later.
All of the pieces were removed from the shirt and cut more neatly around each of the flower petals, flowers, and butterflies. Each fabric piece was traced onto the rough side of HeatnBond*. I cut out all of the HeatnBond shapes slightly smaller than the traced shape. This ensures that the HeatnBond doesn’t go past the edges of the fabric and get on my iron. This will also allow the edges of the fabric to naturally fray a bit, giving it an extra element of interest.
After cutting, I ironed the HeatnBond to the wrong side of each cut shape, then placed them one by one back onto the shirt and ironed them into place.*
* You could skip the HeatnBond step and pin and sew each fabric shape onto the shirt. I like having the pieces held nice and flat before sewing them onto the shirt.
Now, the shirt refashion project is ready for some sewing. I did some free-motion** style sewing around each fabric scrap piece on the shirt. I used various coordinating colored threads that added extra detail and contrast to the piece. I also varied the stitch type, including a zig-zag stitch, straight stitch, and other decorative stitches available on my Janome Sewist 525S home sewing machine.
** At the time, I did not have a free motion presser foot for my sewing machine when making this shirt refashion project. Some free-motion style sewing can be done without a free-motion presser foot; it just takes some more patience and a lot of lifting of the presser foot to turn the fabric to achieve some of the curves and corners. A free-motion presser foot is a great way to “draw” with your sewing machine, and I now use it on my Janome HD9 for other upcycling and sewing projects.
Learn how to make custom fabric patches to decorate a plain bag. Add extras and replace hardware for an even more custom accessory.
Each piece is carefully and intentionally sewn to the shirt, and this shirt refashion project is ready for some more customization.
The final detail of this shirt refashion project was the addition of embroidery stitches. Following the lines and shapes of the fabric scraps, I mainly added running stitches as highlights. You could even add more embroidery designs for extra pop.
RELATED: Another shirt refashion turned a quilted flannel shirt into a DIY Bomber Jacket.
The last part, and my favorite part, is the personalization on the sleeve, where I added a butterfly with surrounding embroidery stitches and “MOM.”
RELATED: More upcycled gift ideas for mom: sew a set of Upcycled Denim Kitchen Textiles.
This custom shirt refashion for Mom was a fun project. I think about the individual customizations that remind me of my mom. I imagine her wearing it for lunch with the ladies or in the garden. However she chooses to wear it, she will be adorned with a one-of-a-kind handmade fashion piece.
Sustainability and Creativity
With so much fast fashion and donated clothing ending up in landfills, sustainable fashion has gained more awareness than ever. Many people (not just sewists and creatives) want more sustainable fashion options like buying secondhand, mending their clothing, or refashioning clothing to fit their style. While I still purchase new clothing items, I enjoy all three sustainable options. I hope you’re inspired to try some sustainable fashion with an upcycled shirt refashion project like this.
RELATED: Got denim? Here are 30 Upcycled Denim Projects to try.
Share your Clothing Refashion Projects
Tag me @Cathi Murray on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to show off what refashion projects you’re working on.
This is beautiful! What a great gift for your Mom. I’m looking forward to your army green jacket rendition. You’re so creative and have the best ideas!!
Thanks Tina! :) You’ve inspired me to go dig it out and start brainstorming.
I have a very old chambray shirt (20+ years old) that is beginning to show a lot of wear. It was all hand embroidered. I happened upon an almost new shirt in a free clothing give-a-way, thinking I would make a new decorated shirt. I love what you’ve done with this, and it has inspired me to create something new. I’m thinking part fabric and equal amounts of embroidery.
It sounds like it was meant to be! Send pics or tag me on your socials so we can see your project. :)