How to Make a Peasant Blouse Out of a Button-Down Shirt

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The peasant blouse is a warm weather essential that is reminiscent of carefree summer days. Fashion icons have given the breezy look a sense of glamour and style throughout the years. You, too, can have the iconic summer style by remaking an old, tired button-down into an off-the-shoulder boho blouse.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

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Watch the video tutorial

Things You'll Need

  • Button-down shirt

  • Measuring tape

  • Washable marking pen

  • Sharp scissors

  • Seam ripper

  • Iron and ironing board

  • Pins

  • Sewing machine with a universal 90/14 needle

  • 3/4-inch elastic (enough to go around your shoulders)

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Tip

This shirt can be made from a woman's or man's button-down shirt. The technique is the same for both. Just choose a shirt with a pattern or color that works for you.

Step 1

With the shirt on, mark the place for the new neckline with a washable marking pen. Add a 1/2 inch for a hem.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 2

Take the shirt off, lay it flat, and mark the new neckline across the entire shirt with a washable marking pen.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 3

Cut across the marked line through both layers of the shirt from shoulder to shoulder.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 4

If there is a button in the way of the new neckline hem, remove it with a seam ripper.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 5

Create a new neckline hem by folding 1/4 inch of the raw edge under and pressing with an iron. Fold under another 1/4 inch and press again.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 6

Pin the new neckline hem.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 7

Sew the new neckline hem with a universal 90/14 needle. Be sure to remove the pins as you sew.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 8

Use a measuring tape to measure around your shoulders. Subtract 1 inch from this number and cut a piece of 3/4-inch elastic to this measurement.

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 9

Overlap the elastic ends and use a zig zag stitch to attach them together. Go back and forth over the stitching several times.

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Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 10

Fold the elastic in half and then in half again. Mark each of the quarter folds with a washable marking pen.

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 11

Match the four marks on the elastic with the center front, center back and each side of the neckline. Pin the elastic to the wrong side of the shirt at each of the marks directly below the new neckline hem.

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Step 12

Use a zig zag stitch to sew the elastic to the shirt. Stretch the elastic as you sew to match the side and center marks.

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

Layer your new peasant blouse over a tank top, undo a few of the bottom buttons and tie the ends in a fashionable knot. Wear with jeans, maxi skirts, leggings or shorts, and look chic while enjoying the warmer weather.

Image Credit: Beth Huntington

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