Pillow Shirts

I haven't posted anything on this blog in literally years. But, I'm in a season of transformation and experimentation right now, and I'd like to document it (or at least the projects that come out of it).

I've been trying to learn how to sew for real lately (read: using fabric besides umbrellas, and constructing real garments). I'm still really interested in creative reuse and upcycling waste textiles, although maybe in slightly more conventional ways that I used to.

Enter the Pillow Shirt: Maybe a one-off, or maybe a prototype. I picked up this pillowcase at a thrift store a few months ago because I like the print (and I'm a sucker for the unmatched one). Its circumference is about the size of bust measurement, so I decided to try to improvise a shirt out of it.

Process

I started by turning the pillowcase inside-out, and cutting a neckline and rough shoulder seams, based on a reference blouse in my size.

Then I flattened off the side I chose to be the back, and created a yoke. I added those little pleats in the center because, uh... the single shirt I had made before attempting this had one, and that's really all I was working off of.

Then I split the front panel down the middle. At this point I tried it on for the first time and realized that my bust was not, in fact, pillowcase-size -- it's a couple of inches bigger. So, I cut a couple of strips to add as additional area for buttons and button-holes, rather than hemming the main piece.

Then I added a collar.

Finally, I added the buttons and buttonholes, and hemmed the armholes.

I used the entire pillowcase, except for a couple of piles of scraps (which will be saved for scrap projects (left) or stuffing (right)).

Here it is in closer to its true colors, in daylighting the next day:

Things to Improve

If I were to attempt the Pillow Shirt again (which I probably will), there are a few things I'd like to do better. The challenging (but fun) thing about creative reuse is that the materials are always different, so there's probably no way to truly templatize this without totally deconstructing first and just using as fabric... but here's what I'd want to try to do better:

The collar is a little wonky. It'd be nice to have some sort of interfacing here.

I was sloppy with the hems on the arm holes. I actually originally thought I'd have enough fabric to add sleeves, but ended up using all the scraps on the collar and button strips.

Speaking of the collar, it's actually two separate scraps seamed together! I think if I planned out my material usage I could at least get it so that this was a centered seam.

And lastly, this shirt has a pretty boxy fit, and I ended up throwing in some random darts at the end for a more fitted waist. I think in the future this project could benefit from some more careful darts.

Conclusion

Pillow shirt was an imperfect product but a fun exploration. I'm hoping that as a get more practice constructing garments, my upcycling instincts will improve. Excited to be back on this journey!