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Shorten Button Up Shirt Sleeves – Sewing Tutorial

January 11, 2023 by Anne Weaver

Shorten Button Up Shirt Sleeves - Sewing Tutorial

Isn’t it annoying when the sleeves of your button up shirt are too long?  Mine seem to always be about inch too long.  Sure, you can roll them up but it’s nicer if the sleeves are actually the right length.  Heather Handmade shows how you can shorten button up shirt sleeves.  This is an easy alteration that doesn’t take as long as you’d think it would.  And it’s so much better when your shirt sleeves are the right length!

[photo credit: Heather Handmade]

And if your button up shirt has more issues than just sleeves to be shortened or is just plain worn out, why not upcycle it into something else entirely? You can make something really cute, while keeping an old shirt out of the landfill.

  • You can turn a button up that’s too big for you into a cute off the shoulder top.  This refashion keeps the button placket and classic styling of a button up shirt, but gives it a more flirty, feminine style.
  • You an also turn an old button up shirt into a simple short sleeved top with a button placket down the back.  I love this idea because it keeps the details of the button up, but in a way that you wouldn’t expect.  
  • Or how about a color blocked shirt?  Here’s a tutorial showing how to use a button up shirt to make a pretty color blocked sleeveless top. It’s pretty made with lace color blocking but a floral print t-shirt knit would also be super cute.
  • This tutorial shows how you can upcycle an old button up shirt into a tote bag. How cool is that!  This one uses a flannel shirt but it would also be fun out of a dress shirt. 

For even more ideas, here is a roundup of ways to upcycle a button up shirt. 

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Have you read?

Easy Cosmetics Bag Sewing Pattern

The bag is simple, uses very little fabric (about 2/3rds of a fat quarter), has no fussy inside pockets (although you can add your own if you like), and takes me well less than 30 minutes to print the pattern, cut out and sew. But quick and simple doesn’t mean it’s not awesome!

It’s the sort of bag that is versatile enough to be used for lots of applications, not just cosmetics and toiletries. Keep all your pens and pencils in order, use it for a small first aid kit for the car, keep it in your desk at work for a few headache pills and other personal supplies.

Make some for yourself, for gifts or to sell.

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