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A sewing/pattern question


Guest inoubliable
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I'm thinking you'd have to shorten the sleeves --- so, probably take the sleeves off at the shoulder, shorten, re-attach -- and take in the side hems to be a width/girth that fits your child(ren). That part would be just opening the side hems and then re-sewing it where you need it.

 

I think the sleeve adjustments would be the hardest, unless you've done sleeves before (I have not).

 

Alternately, some dry cleaners do alterations; maybe you could check there, pay to have it done and count the new nightshirts as Christmas gifts?

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I've done a smock before - basically cut off the collar, leaving the collar band - most shirts are constructed to make this easy. Then I cut the sleeves to a good length, and turned up the hem to make a channel for elastic. Worked great. If you like, you can turn it inside out and run a seam up the side and down the sleeve to make it narrower.

 

I've also made cute bags from men's shirts. I use one shirt for the outside and another for the inside, plus the sleeves are great for handles. I usually "fussy cut" the pieces so that the pockets on the shirt become pockets for the inside or outside of the bag. I also sometimes "fussy cut" so that any logos are part of the bag's design. Bags are easy - you make one inside bag, one outside bag, and sew them together with the handles inserted between the two. (OK, it's a little more complicated than that - the Craftster "Jordy bag" tutorial is popular.)

 

Other ideas include checkbook covers (nice Christmas gifts for co-workers!), zippered bags for cosmetics or coupons or change, grocery totes, those things designed to hold plastic grocery bags, cloth napkins (just cut big squares and hem the edges - they will last FOREVER), field bags (to hold water bottle, notebook, and sketching pencils) for nature walks or museum visits), Christmas ornaments (cut shapes, embellish with buttons, lace, etc. and stuff them), strips of fabric to put your hair up in curls (a la Little House books - make a little drawstring bag to store them in), drawstring backpack to tote to a class, totebag to store toys (matchbox cars, Lego, math manipulatives, etc.), doll clothes, and so on and so on.

 

Men's shirts are often made of a much higher quality fabric than you can find in a fabric store, and when it's been washed a lot, it has a lovely softness.

 

Enjoy your sewing!

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Thanks for the great ideas! And, now I'm thinking that I could probably come up with several holiday gifts out of these shirts! Oh yes, these shirts are a heavy duty cotton and are just so much nicer than a lot of the plain ole cotton I find at fabric stores. I can't wait to get started now!

 

:001_smile::hurray:

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