Most people start with a piece of old clothing they want to improve.
Not me.
I started with a pile of linens I wanted to use to improve something.
And then I spotted this linen shirt in the local charity shop, for a fiver…
It looks a bit saggy hung up there, as linen is frankly wont to do, but it does fit me and looks better on, honest!
It’s not vintage, but it is pure linen, has three-quarter sleeves with cute cuffs and was ripe for pimping up. So home with me it came.
I had a right good rummage through my linens pile and got to work.
My first thought was to appliqué something onto those pockets, which I might still do, but I couldn’t find anything exactly right.
So I started at the back instead…
I made a greaseproof paper template by tracing around the shape of the yoke, then pinned it to my linen, adding a seam allowance when cutting it out.
I used a touch of spray starch to make the fabric less floppy, turned the seam allowance under and pressed it, before pinning and sewing in place on the shirt.
I felt rather flushed with my initial success.
But to balance it out (and reduce that slight “rhinestone cowboy” vibe) I thought it needed something on the front as well…
So I repeated the process, patching several bits of linen together to cover the collar.
I’m not sure whether I’m done yet.
But so far I’m really happy with it.
Might have to go rummaging for something else to pimp up… ♥
very pretty! maybe just a little strip across the top of each pocket, not the whole thing…?
I couldn’t find any ready-done embroidery to fit the pockets, either the whole thing or the top strip. Will have another rummage later – failing that, I could embroider my own design as I can turn my hand to a few stitches!
love it, well done! I’ve been inspired to do something similar since you first posted your thoughts on doing this, but not been able to make a decision on what exactly to do.
Oooh I do like the collar, very sweet!
Looks really, really good. I’m especially drawn to the collar. I really must go and dig out those embroidered tea napkins at the back of the linen press….
Sublime. Purely sublime!! Now, please photograph yourself in it and post it somewhere so we can see just how much you rock it 🙂
I find it virtually impossible to photograph myself Sue (and believe me, I’ve tried!)
I can’t even get my partner to photograph me at the moment, as he’s away. Although last time I asked him, the results were less than satisfactory. I’ll have to get lad trained up!
It is hard to do a photo of oneself. Even with tripods and gadgets. We need to train up our kids to show us in our most flattering light :-).