Three easy ways to alter and upcycle men's shirts | Sustainable Fashion DIY |

3 Ways to Alter & Upcycle Men’s Shirts | Sewing & Refashion Ideas

Before you donate that men’s shirt, let me show you three simple ways to alter and upcycle it so it actually gets worn.

Hi, I’m Bex. I run sewing classes, clothes upcycling workshops, and clothing sustainability workshops here in Sydney. In this video, I’m continuing my How to Alter and Upcycle Clothes series and sharing practical, beginner-friendly ways to transform men’s shirts into flattering, wearable pieces.

Men’s shirts are a great base for upcycling. They’re usually made from durable cotton fabrics, they press beautifully, and most importantly, they’re easy to tailor. With a few thoughtful alterations, you can completely change the shape, fit, and feel of a shirt that no longer works.

** What You’ll Learn in This Video **
• How to reshape and tailor an oversized men’s shirt
• How to add darts and seams for a better fit
• Simple sleeve and shoulder alterations
• How to change collars, buttons, and hems
• Why men’s shirts are ideal for upcycling projects

** Project Highlights **
I walk through several real shirt transformations, explaining what I changed and why. From taking in side seams and shoulders, shortening hems, adjusting sleeves with elastic, and refining collars, these projects show how much potential men’s shirts have when you look beyond their original shape.

I also share why upcycling is so time-efficient. Most of the construction work is already done, which means you can create something unique in a fraction of the time it would take to sew from scratch.

** Why I Love Upcycling Men’s Shirts **
Men’s shirts are classic, versatile, and often overlooked. With simple sewing techniques, you can turn a $5 second-hand shirt into a one-of-a-kind garment that fits your body and style, while keeping textiles out of landfill.

** Learn to Sew & Upcycle with Me **
If you’d like help altering or upcycling your own clothes, I offer:
• Sewing lessons for beginners and confident sewers
• Clothes upcycling and sustainability workshops
• Corporate workshops and team sessions
• One-on-one virtual sewing sessions via Zoom

I’m based in Sydney, Australia, and I work with clients both in person and online.
Visit secondlifeupcycling.com to learn more or book a session.

** Have a Shirt or Garment You’d Like Help With? **
Let me know in the comments what you’d like to see transformed in a future video.
If you enjoyed this video, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe for more sewing and upcycling ideas.

#MensShirtUpcycling #RefashionClothes #ClothesUpcycling #SewingTutorial #SewingForBeginners #AlterClothes #WardrobeRefashion #SustainableFashion #SlowFashion #DIYFashion #UpcycledClothing #SecondLifeUpcycling