Re-purpose Long Sleeve Shirts into Short Sleeve Shirts! Don't get rid of shirts that can easily be transformed to wear again! Follow this easy tutorial.

Have you ever had a shirt you loved, but the sleeves were too short or just fit awkwardly?  Do you have a long sleeved shirt that you wished was short sleeved?  Don’t neglect those shirts any longer.  Re-purpose long sleeves shirts into short sleeve shirts, just in time for the spring and summer!  Transforming your shirts is easy to do.  If you are “sewing challenged”, you can still shorten your sleeves with fusible tape!  Follow this easy tutorial, and let your elbows hang out!

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Here’s what you need:

Here’s what you do:

  1. Figure out the length that you want your finished sleeve to be. On the outside of the shirt, mark that spot with a line.  (Make sure you use something that will disappear when you are marking). Continue that line across the sleeve.
  2. Using a see-through ruler or regular ruler, mark a line 1 ½” underneath the first line.  Use the ruler to continue that line across the sleeve.  This will be the line you cut on.IMG_2379
  3. Repeat on the other sleeve.
  4. Cut on the second line you drew.IMG_2381
  5. Turn the shirt inside out.
  6. Fold up the sleeve ¾”.  Fold it up another ¾”.  With the 2 folds you just made, the sleeve should now be at the length of your first line.  Adjust the fold if it is not.
  7. Press the folds on the sleeve to make sharp creases.  Pin the folds.long leeve
  8. If you are sewing, set your needle to the left most position.  Sew the hem on the sleeve. Then, set the needle to the middle position, and using the first sewing line as a guide, sew another line around the sleeve. This helps keep the sleeve flat.hem long sleeves
  9. If you are using the fusible tape, peel the paper off of the tape.  Insert the tape between the folds and the shirt.  Lay a towel over the folds and press with an iron.  I usually leave the hot iron on the garment and count to 3, and continue across the garment until I have completed the loop.
  10. Turn the shirt right-side out and press the folds of the sleeves.

Voila! You now have a short sleeve shirt!   You can do the same thing to any pair of pants.  Turn your pants into shorts!  Follow the same steps.

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5 Comments on Re-purpose Long Sleeve Shirts into Short Sleeve Shirts

  1. What a great idea. My grand kids have way too many long sleeve shirts to be living in Florida. I might give this a try. Thanks for sharing with us at Funtastic Friday.

  2. Tara I’d love to be in your classroom! My guess is that your lessons are full of incredible makes and bakes! This is a great idea… must get hubby on to it! 😛 Thanks for bringing to Fiesta Friday – don’t forget to add the link so everyone can find you!

  3. I am so delighted that you shared your smart, green and thriftyDIY repurposed shirt with us at the Healthy Happy Green Natural Party! I’m Pinning and sharing this!

  4. This is really helpful! I just bought a bunch of cheap long sleeve shirts. I love the pattern, but what I really need is more short sleeve tees.