Hey Friends! By now you know I’m no stranger to the easy awesomeness that is The No Sew Refashion.
I like them because they’re like mini inspiration sessions to help get your creative juices flowing and they don’t require a lot of supplies. They’re perfect for folks who kiiiind of want to start refashioning, but kiiiind of aren’t ready to splurge for a sewing machine and supplies just yet.
However, there’s a dark side to no-sew refashions as well. :/
There are some really common tutorials out there (in blogs and on YouTube) that make some refashions look super-easy when, in fact, there’s a bit of nuance to them that’s required to make them work.
Of course, if you don’t know that, you just end up feeling lousy about a refashion that didn’t work and probably don’t feel super stoked about trying again.
Enter the No Sew Button Up Shirt to Skirt Tutorial.
Here’s how it works: Take a button up shirt you like the pattern of. I chose this size 2 Chico’s top that’s a work from home comfy favorite.
Now, pull it down to your waist, (unbuttoning as many buttons as necessary) and tuck the collar in the back.
Then, grab the sleeves, like so…
Then, tie the sleeves in a double knot, or a bow if you wish (I still dislike bows, folks).
And now, you have a cute skirt that you didn’t have to cut up/damage a button up shirt for any way!
So my new skirt looks pretty cute, right?
And this tutorial is really simple, right?
NOT SO FAST!!!!!
Take a looksee at what happened when I tried to use one of Brian’s shirts for this refashion.
In order to make the seemingly simple No Sew Button Up Shirt to Skirt Refashion actually work, I recommend the following:
- Start with a shirt that’s only slightly loose. The shirt I used in the first version was exactly my size, but a loose fit. Brian’s shirt is a men’s XL, which left me with too much fabric in the front that added unflattering bulk!
- Use a short shirt. In order for this refashion to work, your shirt needs to be on the short side (unless you’re super leggy). Stay away from Extra Long men’s shirts for this.
- Use a Women’s Shirt instead of a Men’s Shirt. Women’s clothes are just cut differently than Men’s clothes, and this applies to button up shirts as well. The narrower shoulders of a women’s shirt mean less bulk around your hips, and a more fitted look around your waist!
- Put it together. To make this refashion look intentional, and not like you’re doing the walk of shame from your fella’s frat house after a wild night wherein you somehow misplaced your pants, I recommend pairing dark shirtskirts with dark tops (like I did with my leotard here), and light shirtskirts with light tops.
I wore my shirtskirt to visit my lovely in-laws for a birthday dinner!
That’s right! On the day this is posted, it will be my birthday (we celebrated a little early)!!!!! 🙂
If this no-sew refashion is right up your alley, you might like my Men’s Dress Shirt to Women’s Top Refashion tutorial!
We celebrated my turning exactly how many years old you think I am with a game night!
Birthday Cheers!
good for travel when one piece can be two pieces.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday, my fellow Pisces! My birthday is the 17th.
An adorable refashion and I love seeing you so happy. All the best to y’all!
Happy Birthday! You look so happy!
Happy Birthday!
I love the refashion, the look, the advices and the before and after pic! Thank you for sharing! Happy birthday!
Happy birthday. Looks like a great party. Beautiful cake. Love the shkirt.
Happy birthday!
Many happy returns of the day! Very cute skirt.
Happy Birthday!
Love the skirt! You make it look so easy. My favorite colors, too. 🙂
Adorable! Happy Birthday Beautiful cake, Beautiful family
Happy Birthday, Jillian! I have loved your blog for years and am so glad you’re back!
Very cute! Great advice and Happy Birthday!
I’ve loved your work for years, and really enjoy re-reading your posts. You’ve encouraged me to do some re-fashioning, please never stop! Thank you for hours of fashion fun!
Happy birthday!!!!
Great tips and post. I like that you pointed out works and what not. Happy birthday.
Happy Birthday pretty lady!! Hope your day is filled with joy and love!!
Happy birthday! Enjoy your day 🙂 Thank you for all the inspiration!
(Oops! Two entries. I didn’t think the other one went through.)
I’m glad you’re back! I missed your refashions and thrifting tips. Congratulations on your marriage and new pup! And Happy Birthday!
I love this! Thanks!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Enjoying your blog!
Happy Birthday, Jillian!
I like that you provide the tips and tricks to make these ideas work. As you pointed out, it’s simple but it’s not foolproof, and you provide the voice of experience that makes the difference 🙂
Happy Birthday! Appreciate what you do!
darling! I can see the endless possibilities for summer skirts and all those striped shirts my husband wanted to give away and i swooped in to save them and put them in my Refashion Pile!
Happy Birthday
Girl, you are so talented. I just love, love what you can do. Awesome !!!
thanks for your inspirations and HAPPY DAY
Happy birthday!!
What a great idea for traveling light, shirt or skirt, when I need the flexibility of multi-purpose looks. How do you THINK of this stuff? You’re so creative!
Congratulations on your marriage and new pup! I’m so glad you’re back. I enjoy your refashions and thrifting advice.
Happy birthday, love that your back!
Happy Birthday! You make anything look good!
Happy Birthday Jillian! Thanks for this EZ refashion, will try it out!
Happy Birthday!!! You and your hubs look so happy!!! I’m happy for you!!! 🙂
Wishing you an amazing birthday!
Happy birthday! YOU are such an inspirational gift to us!
Happy birthday! It’s my birthday today too, so your post was a nice birthday treat for me 🙂 I’m so glad you’re back to blogging. The skirt looks super cute.
Happy happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday! I am so excited every time a blog post pops up in my emails. This is one of those projects that I tried and failed a few years ago and am now ready to try again! Thank you!
Happy Birthday! Beautiful family!
Happy birthday! Great re-fashion idea!
First of all “Happy Birthday”. I love the fabric of the shirt. I think it also helps if the shirt is straight across on the bottom rather than having tails.
We have the same Birthday. Happy Birthday Jillian! Love all of your refashions!
I wonder how many of the button up shirts in my closet that never make the cut to wear, but always make the cut to avoid the donate pile would work for this…I will try this today. 🙂 Thank you for always providing accessible inspiration!!! Happy Birthday Jillian!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Love this! Will try. However, I think the hubs shirt/skirt could have worked if you turned it alittle to the side for a asymmetrical look….love that you met the right guy! Was praying for you! Devoted, Linda