Flower applique shirt tutorial

J Crew inspired shirt

I found this plain shirt at the thrift store and thought it could be fun to spruce up. Go through your closet to find a shirt you have not worn in a while. I try to have a few shirts on hand that I find at the thrift store to cut up for ruffles or projects like these.








You dont have to do these next few steps but it really transforms the shirt.
Cut the sleeves to a desired length making sure you measure to make them even. I cut 12 inches off from sleeve opening.

I then cut off a wide V neckline, taking it off all the way around the collar of the shirt. There is no exact amount to cut off  just make sure once again its even and leaving room to fold over for a hem.

Now around the neckline press 1/4 of an inch fabric over to have a finished seam. You can leave it if you like that look.

after pressing fold it 1/2 inch again ,making for a hidden seam. when finished sew a 1/4 inch inseam around the neckline.
Do these same steps around the sleeves of shirt but instead the 1/2 inch fold make it a 1 inch fold for a wider hem line.

If you would like a ruffle, sew with as widest stitch possible starting at the shoulder seam, backstitch and sew around the front neckline of the shirt finishing at the opposite side . Do not backstitch here . leave some thread length and cut threads. pull one thread while holding the other in place. Your fabric will start to ruffle up. spread out the ruffle until its evenly distributed around the neckline.

Like this. Now sew once more just around front of neckline from shoulder to shoulder to keep your ruffle in place.

Cut out some flower shapes from an old t-shirt or your favorite fabric, they don't need to be perfect. the more abstract the better. I then cut a smaller one to place inside. You can stack as many as you want to get a fuller flower effect. Pin in place where you like them.

Then stitch around the flowers.

And you now have a fun new shirt.

This is my first tutorial so please ask me if you have any questioins. I would love to see yours if you decide to make one!