Friday Fashions #10, Organdy Ribbon Ruffle Shirt

A while ago, I came across these shirts for a steal at only $1 each.  I immediately planned on doing some sort of ruffled shirt.  Then, a couple of Fridays ago, my sewing machine bit the dust.  It ended up being more expensive to fix the machine than it cost 6 years ago brand new.  So, I ended up getting a new sewing machine.  This shirt is now my first finished project with it.  

 I really liked the bracket with the buttons on the side of the neckline.  So, I wanted to incorporate that detail into the design of the shirt.

 I didn't want to keep the long sleeves however since we are moving into spring/summer.  So, the first thing I did was chop them off. 

 Using the other shirt for fabric, I cut it open at the seams.  Then I cut 3/4in strips on the bias. 

Using a long stitch, I sewed a straight stitch 1/4in from one edge to form a ruffle. 

 I had some 1/2in purple organdy ribbon that matched perfectly that I decided to use to make ruffles too.  This time, I sewed down the middle of the ribbon.  I only barely gathered the ribbon, just enough so that it wasn't flat anymore. 

 Next, I layered the knit ruffles with the ribbon ruffle at the top on the shirt.  I was going for a slightly asymmetrical  look along the neckline. 

 Carefully sew the ruffles onto the shirt. 

 I like how the ruffles are aligned at the top edge but that the knit ruffle is longer.

Ruffles are now complete!

 Now, to tackle the sleeves.  I could have just cut them into cap sleeve shapes and hemmed the edges.  But, I loved the way the necklike ruffles turned out and I wanted something equally special and unique with the sleeves.  

 I decided to ruche the sleeves.  Using pins as markers, I created a gather with a long straight stitch.   After I adjusted the gather to a length I liked, I went back and sewed a regular length stitch over the top of the gather to keep it in place. 

 I hemmed the edges.  Then sewed a button onto the bottom of the ruching. 

 I like the whimsy of these sleeves.  

I can't wait to wear this shirt!  

 *I know that I have been making a lot of embellished tees lately.  If you're getting bored with this, don't fear! I'm changing it up next week.  I will be making a skirt with godets, something I have never before tackled.  So, stay tuned.