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How I Upcycle Sports Shirts to Dreamy Ruffled Dress

upcycle fashion, sustainable fashion, thrifting fashion

Hey everyone! As promised, I am here for another upcycling project!

This isolation period is pushing me to be craftier and more creative, and somehow creating my own bubble. Sewing and fashion upcycling is my go-to hobby whenever I am in a state of writer’s block. These activities help me to reboot my thoughts and be more comfortable until that brilliant idea pops.
Although my upcycling activities are already a good source of blog content, I am also interested in other topics beyond that.






And I cannot imagine giving up my love for upcycling and sewing, especially now that I finally bought my first sewing machine!

(Disclaimer: the previous sewing machine was loaned to me by my boyfriend’s Mom, and I already sent it back… after months of using it…so she can make her own DIY too!)

For today’s project, I used two old white sport’s shirts that were outgrown by the kids, and extra fabrics that Grandma gave to me last month.

upcycle fashion, sustainable fashion, thrifting fashion
These shirts are big enough to create a top and a skirt. 

First, I removed the color and the buttons (saving them for a future DIY project), then I cut the other shirt across to make a skirt. 

upcycle fashion, sustainable fashion, thrifting fashion
I used this white lace for my top and trace it to the sleeveless shirt, sewn them together. I also sewed the hemline and insert a garter.

upcycle fashion, sustainable fashion, thrifting fashion
For the skirt, I sewed together with the remaining sports shirt fabric long enough where I could attach the ruffles later.






RELATED ARTICLES: How to Turn the Old Winter School Dress into a Stylish Dress


upcycle fashion, sustainable fashion, thrifting fashion
Next is cutting fabric strips (around 6 inches wide) to make some ruffles. Since I don’t have enough fabric, I decided to mix them all together (anyway they are the same type of fabric but different prints!). 

upcycle fashion, sustainable fashion, thrifting fashion
upcycle fashion, sustainable fashion, thrifting fashion

Ruffles time!

Speaking of ruffles, it is my favorite designs in many dresses. I always find ruffles very girly and romantic and gives full life to a boring dress. 






However, making these ruffles are quite tedious because I must connect scraps of fabrics making sure they are in the same measurements, etc. It needs true patience and focus!

I continued to attach the ruffles until I fully covered the white fabric. For the last layer of ruffles, I used a scrap white fabric (and I thought it is okay coz the top is color white after all).

And here is the finished design!

upcycle fashion, sustainable fashion, thrifting fashion
It turns out to be a romantic and girly look! 

I also made a huge white scrunchie to pair with this dress. 

upcycle fashion, sustainable fashion, thrifting fashion
upcycle fashion, sustainable fashion, thrifting fashion
upcycle fashion, sustainable fashion, thrifting fashion
Here’s how I styled this dress, after 5-days of consistently and patiently making it. 








upcycle fashion, sustainable fashion, thrifting fashion

upcycle fashion, sustainable fashion, thrifting fashion

upcycle fashion, sustainable fashion, thrifting fashion
This quarantine period is truly making me appreciate more of slow lifestyle, enjoy what I want and that includes my hobbies, and create my own bubble. I know that one day, reality will hit and this bubble will burst, however before that happen, I won’t think about it coz I hate stress.






RELATED ARTICLES: I Thrifted Old School Uniforms and here’s the result


upcycle fashion, sustainable fashion, thrifting fashion

upcycle fashion, sustainable fashion, thrifting fashion
I’m just happy playing in our backyard with my cat! And she can’t help playing with my skirt, I reckon she loves the movement of those ruffles, hahaha.

upcycle fashion, sustainable fashion, thrifting fashion
For my fashion road test, I decided to pair them with this oversized jacket coz it was 10-degrees Celsius and makes me feel freezing! We walked all the way to Bunning’s to buy some home supplies when we met our neighbour’s adorable cat. He is so fluffy and huge! He is outside waiting for his master.

upcycle fashion, sustainable fashion, thrifting fashion
Got the reliable 3M hooks that I will use to organize our kitchen pantry cabinet. 

What do you think of my latest DIY dress?


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140 comments :

  1. Absolutely gorgeous! I wish I was half as talented as you when it came to designing and recycling clothes!

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    1. Thank you Renee for visiting my blog. I'm also thankful for my Mom for teaching me the basics of sewing. Pinterest is a good source of inspiration :)

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  2. You have a great talent to transform old clothes into beautiful dresses. It looks beautiful and fresh! Great job

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    1. Thank you Daniel! I'm currently working on my next upcycling project :)

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  3. This is awesome idea to make something out of the things used in the house. It looks nice!

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  4. How beautiful! From one seamstress to another!! You did a great job!

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  5. That is such a commendable skill! It's great to know that you've been so productive while we're still on quarantine. You have great eye for design and I really love that look!

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    1. Thank you Alyssa. Pinterest and watching Netflix are good source of inspirations too.

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  6. Wau, great post and great idea, you are very resourcefull :)

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  7. This is such a genius idea. You are so talented in your sewing and designing skills.

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    1. Aww I am humbled. I try my best to learn new things everyday.

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  8. Oh I love this. I made my and my daughters tule skirts, so this is just so great.

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    1. Aww wow that's cool! Tulle skirts reminds me of Carrie Bradshaw :)

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  9. I love that outfit! So creative. It is something that I would wear! Upcycling is awesome

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  10. That is really nice what you did with those old clothes. You are really crafty.

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  11. You are talented. Bravo. This style fits you very well. You look adorable.

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  12. Well, all I can say that you really did a good job in making that dress, it's beautiful and I like it!

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  13. Wow, how creative! You are talented! What a great way to upcycle material.

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    1. Thank you Christine, upcycling makes me happy and inspire to create more contents for my blog.

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  14. This is so cute. You are relly a pro when it comes to upcycling clothing. And I love how you style them too.

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  15. hi
    so innovatinve for this transformation. truly talented

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  16. If only I knew how to use the sewing machine, I would undoubtedly try your suggestions. Also because beautiful outfit ideas always come!

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  17. What a creative idea! I need to get better about upcycling my old clothes.

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  18. Such a pretty skirt. What a great way to reuse fabric

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    1. I agree, and I am glad that I made something nice.

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  19. I love these ideas of yours to transform old clothes to new. I guess I can try them too.

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  20. i love the ruffled skirt. what a great talent you are, BLAIR. Bravo on your talent and great work.

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  21. This is so gorgeous! I love your final design so much. I am so impressed.

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    1. Thank you Kathryn! I am currently working on a new upcycling design.

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  22. That's so creative and sassy. I'm amazed how people can sew and turn a used or simple cloth into stylish dress that can be casual and for parties too. Really great job.

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    1. Yes, I am thinking of wearing this to one of the upcoming bloggers' events soon.

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  23. Wow! That was a really creative idea. The most up cycling I did was making masks with mismatched dicks and old bras. But this is really different.

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  24. Wow, I am so impressed! I wish I had your sewing skills and creativity!

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  25. Oh wow your clothing creations are really good and what you do is so clever for sure. Looking fab by the way x

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    1. Thank you so much Melanie! I am inspired to make more upcycling projects and also helps to encourage our teens at home to appreciate more of their clothes and take good cake of them.

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  26. Very talented! Inspiration to actually start some DIY in the house!

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    1. Thank you! It is my way of keeping myself productive while at home.

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  27. Congrats! Love the ruffles. It's so feminine. Love the choice of colors too.

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    1. Thank you Emman! Pang summer and spring lang kaya ko :)

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  28. wow you really nailed it, i love the ruffles on your skirt, it looks very beautiful.

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  29. It's amazing what you can do with old materials. The outfit is gorgeous!

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    1. The trick I learn is use colorful fabrics. Even they are old, together when combined they all look like an art.

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  30. it looks awesome! I would totally order something like that! You are so talented

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  31. This is so inspiring! I've been thinking about dusting off my old Singer machine and trying to do some small projects (it's been forever since I've used it) and I love how you upcycled in order to make this dress! Love the sneaker/blazer styling, too :)

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  32. This is an amazing and lovely way to reuse sports shirts..i just love ruffled type dresses they looks so adorable and gorgeous...you looks fabulous in this amazing outfit and the color suits much..🙂[World in Eyes]

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    1. Aww thank you Jhangi. I still have some white button-down school uniforms here that are waiting to be upcycled :)

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  33. This dress is fantastic! I especially love the mix of colours and prints on the ruffles. As my boys are growing our of their clothes, I need to start thinking about upcycling them more.

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    1. At first, I tried to sell them for FREE online, however no one seems wants them. But I don't want to them to the bins, so the best way it to upcycle them.

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  34. Oh my gosh I love it! What a great idea! We called these "ra-ra" skirts when I was growing up! Love that this was refashioned too!

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    1. Ohh wow that is a cute name for this skirt "ra-ra" :D

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  35. Wow. This freaking amazing. Love the colors or the dress and I am sure it is pretty popular.

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  36. Another stylist clothes there Blair. Your really know your stuff. You look fabulous.

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    1. Thank you Neil! I am enjoying so much upcycling :)

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  37. Oh my goodness! You’re so talented girl! Love how you turn fabric into an amazing outfit

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  38. This is so creative! I would never have thought this skirt was sport shirts at a time!

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    1. Thank you Nyxie, I have another sport shirt in green color waiting to be processed.

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  39. This is so creative! You would never tell that it used to be a sports shirt! You are insanely clever!

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  40. Maaaan, you are so good at styling clothing! I wish I could do it like you!

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  41. oh wow, you're super creative!!! I loooooove the dress idea, looks amazing on you, love it.

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  42. This is really creative and not only that but it turned out to be really nice. Good job.

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  43. That is such a cute idea. I would have never thought to do that.

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  44. I love how creative this is. Everything looks good. Loving it!!

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  45. This looks so good! Not sure I could do this, but, for what it´s worth, you did a great job

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  46. I love that you are giving new life to old clothing and fabrics. Very creative!

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  47. I could never pull off that look. You look amazing and the fact that this is sustainable wear just makes it even better.

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  48. You've done an amazing job! You're so talented :)

    Louise x

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  49. Great project, I agree with ruffles being girly and pretty!

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  50. That is super cool dress. You are a fashion model. I love your style and your attitude on the picture. Really makes you good model.

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    1. awww thank you Papa Jack! Dito lang ako sa blog ko mag-model , hahahaha

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  51. I personally love the last style you featured. That one with oversized coat with your hair in a pony tail. You look so classy and trendy. Great upsizing!

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  52. You are really engaged to sewing na talaga Miss blair. Look at these ruffles, it looked so sophisticated, and then there's the vest it looked so classy. Sewing is indeed a good time investment and as a hobby. Looking for more of this content.

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    1. Thanks Franze! Our movements are still restricted so focus muna ako sa hobby na ito. Nakakatuwa kasi kahit ako na-surprised din sa result :)

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  53. I've been upcycling my dresses also pero thru crocheting.I want to learn sewing also. Your skirt looks amazing, I wanna dance Conga! ❤️

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  54. you are so talented! i would never think of this hahahaa!!! but seriously, if can be worn nga sa mga formal occasions!

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  55. OMG! Ang ganda! You have a talent ah! I love the designing and choice of color! From a simple shirt to a fabulous dress. Amazing work! Congratulations also to your first sewing machine! To more beautiful dresses!

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    1. Thank you Karla! Eto maraming naghihintay na outgrown clothes for upcycling :)

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  56. I love the colors you choose to what you upcycle! Upcycled fashion was given light too here in BAguio City a few months ago. The artists here held competition in Upcycled fashion :)

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    1. awww that is wonderful! Hope many artists and designers will push for more upcycling.

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  57. You're a visionary. The dress looks amazing like i would have smome extra fun wearing that because of the ruffles. Hahaha. Wish i knew how to make dresses

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    1. Thank you Christian! Ruffles is always in-style :)

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  58. Wow! You are sooo talented at this! I wish I had the ability to make something like this, but I'm not good at sewing, or even imagining designs. 😍

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    1. Thank you for appreciating my latest upcycle project. More to go!

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  59. I love the floral print! It looks perfect for summer or spring! I wish i’m as talented as you are or i know how to operate a sewing machine.

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  60. What!! You are extremely creative! I wish I could sew also to upgrade my fabrics. The colors look good on you also

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  61. Love it! I wish I also have a talent like yours. I really wanted to try DIY fashion too, but I am hesitant. Haha! I also don't have knowledge in sewing. :D

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    1. Hi Elaine! Don't feel hesitant, fashion is another way of expressing your feelings. It is also an art.

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  62. Ang ganda ng ruffled skirt! Yung feeling na sana may talent din ako sa ganyan. ��

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  63. Very creative and chic! I love how versatile you are paring the new garment with different styles of shoes. The ruffles are amazing, you did such an amazing job!

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    1. Thank you dear! I will share more upcycling projects to come.

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  64. Very creative in upcycling project for old dress. Love the design and color combination of the ruffles.How long you finish this project?

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    1. Thank you dear! I think it took me 5days of meticulous ruffling! hahaha. Also I've been doing my other hobbies like gardening :)

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  65. Wow thats so cute! You're so talented!

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  66. i really like your work, my dear. I wish I have your talent, too. your pieces look professional and you even wear them outside for shopping. truly love this!

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    1. Aww thank you Wendy! There is no limit on creating :)

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  67. Your hands are so great in creating fashionable items! Would love to collab. Gaganda eh!

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  68. Good for you! You did a wonderful job with the materials you had. It's a fun summer dress too. Elizabeth O

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    1. Yes I had so much fun sewing and also modelling my creations.

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  69. The ruffle dress is so gorgeous! I love reading this type of content. You really inspires me to learn how to stitch and revamped old clothes! - www.nicolesanmiguel.com

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    1. Thank you Nicole for appreciating my blog and diy :)

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  70. Hello Blair! First of all, I love your unique style and ootd shots here! It's like it came out of a chic vintage magazine but you placed some modern tweeks in it! I hope to see more of your outfits! Frustration ko din ang mag fashion design but I have too much on my plate for now haha I really admire your hard work on all the outfits I've seen in this blog. Your dedication really shows through the outfits. Keep it up and I can't wait for more!

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    1. aww thank you Mariella! Yes will share many upcycling transformations :)

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  71. omg this is so so cute!! I always love your posts on upcycling. Such an awesome way to turn old clothing into beautiful pieces. More please!

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    1. Yes I have lots of upcycling projects to share, currently processing my blog about them.

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  72. As look at your upcycling projects I want to learn how to sew. Those ruffles really are something!

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  73. Thank you for your post, I look for such article along time, today i find it finally. this post give me lots of advise it is very useful for me. maturity matching definition

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