The Zipper Zoo: Large button-up to pintuck blouse

First of all, if you haven't noticed, I have moved! After posting last week, one of my friends let me know that in order for a reader to comment on my blog they had to have a Wordpress account... and nobody wants to get another account just to comment on a blog. So, I decided to move over to Blogger where things seemed easier for the reader in general, and Google users can now comment on my posts.

Second, I have a new tutorial for you guys. I got the inspiration from this site, but of course I had to do my own version. (Especially since it will be a really long time until I need anything maternity.)

Step1: Find a large button-up shirt. I think this was a man's shirt.

Step2: If it has pockets, carefully remove them.

Step 3: Cut off the sleeves and down each side along the seam. Carefully take out the shoulder seams. You must leave the seam allowance on the shoulder to re-sew later.

Step 4: Decide how many pintucks you want. Be sure that the blouse will still be able to fit after alterations. I took 4 tucks 1/4 in wide so I marked 8 lines 1/2 in apart, most of the way down the shirt.

Step 5: Pin the tucks, matching the lines all the way down.

Step 6: Sew the tucks along your marks.

Step 7: Press them. I liked mine pressed towards the center.

Step 8: Turn inside out and stitch the shoulder seam back up.

Step 9: Lay a well fitting shirt on top and, leaving an extra inch for seam allowance (maybe a little more if your example top stretches), trim around it. Be sure the front of your new blouse is buttoned or your measurement might be off. Then, stitch up the sides with about 1/2 in seam allowance.

Step 11: Pin the sleeves on, with the shirt inside out, and the right side of the sleeve to the right side of the shirt, pleating the top of the sleeve to fit the new hole. Once you like it, stitch around the sleeve.