Working in the same building as DownEast’s warehouse store can be a problem at times. A problem because there are so many inexpensive basics. DownEast’s basic tops fit fabulously, so I thought I’d use a couple of tops for a refashion.
Ruffles are in vogue these days. Very. and they’ve swept me off my feet. I saw this top at anthro, and instantly started brainstorming how I could make something similar (but different, of course). Predictably, a month after I got the idea and supplies I finally started working on my little project.
The shirt that I bought had a neckline that was uncomfortably high, so I chopped it off and sewed my own collar from the coordinating t-shirt. I believe this was what helped the ruffles and the tee come together the way it did.
After I finished the collar (which surprisingly took about 10-15 minutes), I cut out the fabric for the ruffles and started gathering my fabric.
I laid the ruffles in the desired order, making sure the ruffles covered up any wonky sewing. I was very worried this would come out looking stupid; like a pirate shirt or an elementary craft project gone awry. Fortunately, I don’t think it did. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
Side note: I wore this to work on Friday. I felt super fancy walking around in my high-waisted skirt, 80’s suede boots and ruffle shirt. My confidence in my outfit was boosted even more when a guy in the warehouse mistook me for one of the DownEast models.
that is unbelievably cute! nice work.
VERY cool Melissa! i am not surprised you were mistaken for a model– you look hot!
I love your shirt way more than the one you modeled it after! If you were selling one like it, I would buy it in a heartbeat. You look GREAT!
Love this! Going to send to a friend who’s just recently gotten into refashioning. And you can totally be a model.
You are my creative hero.
wow, it looks amazing…very inspiring.
This is adorable, I want to make my own right now.
too freaking cute! really. I love the ruffles. I’m really becoming obsessed with ruffles. this could get dangerous. ;)
LOVE IT! i am definitely going to try this one.
Deliciously cute!
So fabulous, and I am special enough to have seen it in person! It’s always great to be mistaken for a model too! That ALWAYS happens to me :P
Melissa.. can you come refashion my wardrobe please? PLEASE? I can’t sew a lick, and even if I could, I would never think of this kind of stuff.
So, I skipped ahead and looked at all the pics before reading and my first thought was ‘she needs to design for anthro’ hehe. you totally do. I like your shirt better than the one that your inspiration came from. very nice!
melissa!! i love this one so much!!!! so fantastic.
darling, Melissa! You have such talent.
Lovely Melissa!
I have a few Shade tshirts I’ve been wanting to refashion since I bought them (so comfy, but NOT so awesome necklines)
Thanks for the inspiration!
Wow, I want to make that! It looks comfortably fancy.
That’s too funny! I saw this top on Today’s Creative Blog and stopped by to tell you it looks just like something that would be sold at Anthro :) I LOVE it! Thanks for the inspiration! ~K
I feel so special to know you!! Please move down to my neck of the woods.
Oh that t shirt is gorgeous. I love the ruffles and I agree that the different neckline draws it all together beautifully.
I desperately covet your sewing skills. So pretty!
Ceci
Absolutely love it! You are a re-fashioning genius. You give me so much inspiration!!! Thanks!
Melissa, the next time someone in the warehouse mistakes you for one of the models, say, “No, I’m just the smoking hot girl that works upstairs.” Then flash your wedding ring, spin your decolletage around 180 degrees, and strut out the door.
I’m going to attempt to do this. I’ll probably fail but at least I’m gonna try.
Keep sharing more of these great wardrobe revamps.
Gorgeous. If I send you a picture of a shirt that needs some tlc, could you give me some advice on how to go about glam-i-fying it? And, definitely do that thing that Chris suggested next time you’re so model-esque.
definitely NOT a pirate shirt. your work is HOT and you look fabulous. great idea! and great execution!
You clever vixen, you! I mistake you for a model every time we hang out because you’re HAWT like that.
Melissa, I’m scared to death of sewing, but this I have got to try. Absolutely brilliant.
That is so clever and so cute! I saw a ruffled shirt at Talbot’s yesterday and I thought- not nearly as cute as Melissa’s! (And sewing on knits is not easy, IMHO.)
You are hot! I love that you just “figured” that out. I love your crafty brain!
Thats an amazing shirt and I love that warehouse. That would be so fun to be able to alter their shirts like you’ve shown.
How absolutely brilliant! I must have one right.now.
Just stumbled the heck out of your site because oh.my.gosh. It’s AMAZING! Keep up the gorgeous work, my sweet!
[…] $5 refashion, the ruffled tuxedo: this might just be the project that breaks my sewing machine out of […]
Great work! You’ve inspired me, and I’m sure plenty of others! Thanks for sharing!
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