Monday, January 03, 2011

A Big Girl's Smock from a Flowery Shirt


Man's shirt from the thrift store? No man was going to wear this, it was way too pretty. A crisp cotton with little flowers on it, brand new from Banana Republic.

I kept the button placket intact, cut off the collar and the sleeves, and cut the front and back into sort of an A-line shape. A little self-bias binding around the neckline and armholes, and inverted pleats at the back neck to take in some fullness, and I had a darling big girl smock.

We are so lucky to have thrift stores, seriously.

21 comments:

Lisa said...

Anna, how cute!! (a floral shirt for men? really?)

Lisateresa

Anonymous said...

Oh, Anna, that is beyond charming! And you are too clever. Thinking I'll be making a Goodwill run in the near future!

Birdy

MushyWear said...

What a find and what a transformation!

Tracy said...

I'd love to see the front, as I can't imagine it at all. Very cute from the back/side, though!

priest's wife - S.T./ Anne Boyd said...

oooooo- I am taking this idea! Love it!

Sonja said...

Beautifully clever! And yes, I love thrift stores too and find myself thankful for those who buy new xnd recycle so we have something to browse! And not to mention all those vintage items they so thoughtfully give up! :)

Flannel Jammies Farm said...

This is so adorable... can I be a big girl, too?

kath said...

What a wonderful idea! You always have the best projects! I was going to make aprons for my two little granddaughters, but this is a much better idea (and with a husband and three sons, there are a lot of old shirts to go around!)

Shana said...

Love this idea! I made a little dress for my daughter out of one of my husbands stained dress shirts. I will certainly use this idea.

Thanks!

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

Oh, I know. I love my thrift stores and Goodwill. Not only clothing but I often have people comment on how beautiful our home is and so much of it is "thrifted".

It never ceases to amaze me how God leads me to a thrift store just when they have an item I've been needing (or just wanting). :)

Maven said...

That is the cutest thing ever - seriously, Anna, you are outdoing yourself! Daisy is ADORABLE! Have you ever read the "Mindy-Molly-Mandy" books with her? MMM keeps talking about her "frocks". That is what Daisy reminds me of, a sweet little old-fashioned girl in a frock.

We have some great thrift stores where I live, too. I have two older teenage girls who love the "name" brands. Last week they picked up an Ann Taylor Loft shirt from last season (we had seen it at the store in the spring) and a new Vineyard Vines tote for less than $3.00 total. I don't sew as much as you do, but I do occasionally modify a skirt length, etc. for them. Did I mention the men's ties for $2.00 each? My husband now has a plethora of ties. We live in an urban area, and the "metrosexual" young men around here seem to be always cleaning out their stashes of ties. Consequently, I always find at least two great all-silk, imported ties when I go thrift shopping. DH wears a suit and tie everyday so he puts them to good use and he likes the luxury of having several to choose from. What a blessing.

Shelley in SC said...

So adorable and creative!

Laura said...

What an amazing idea! I, too, love thrift stores...we have a great one locally and it sparks some of my best "creativity"! Thanks so much for sharing this...never again will I pass by a "pretty" man's dress shirt!

Have a blessed day,
Laura

Leah H said...

You are so creative. I would have looked at that "men's" shirt and thought, "you're kidding me" and walked away. Daisy's smock is so cute!

Margo said...

a-dorable. Especially over her blue dress.

I know bias binding, but what is self-bias? Do you mean that you made the bias tape yourself from some of the shirt?

I have this idea of making my son a button suit/John-John suit from a man's shirt, keeping the buttons and placket. Maybe this will be the summer I do that!

Polly said...

That's some smart sewing!

Sharnee Torrents said...

WOW Anna I totally LOVE THIS!! it's gorgeous!!! What a fabulous idea, must go op-shopping too sometime, though my sewing skills aren't fab so we'll wait and see! Love you blog! thanks for the inspiration!!
Happy days
Smiles Sharnee :)

Tanith said...

Wow! Great job, I am horrid with self bias, but have made Daddy's shirts into smocks and dresses for the girls. PS, have you heard of Tangle Teezer, makes combing hair a dream and no tears!

Happymom4 aka Hope Anne said...

So sweet!! Would love a frontal shot too . . . Yuor creative ideas always inspire-thank you for sharing them with the rest of us!

Patty said...

Hi,

I like this idea; the smock reminds me of Little House on the Prairie.

My daughter loves for me to sew clothing for her, especially skirts. I love to purchase women’s skirts, at garage sales/thrift stores, and cut them down to her size. The style that works best is the tiered skirt. I usually remove one tier and remake the waistband.

Being able to sew can really save money as well as adding variety to your wardrobe,

Patty

jlynn said...

Loved the idea. Would you give us the directions on how you made it and show us the front. The top would be prefect for me to make for my 2 little grand-daughters. Thanks , J Lynn

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