Green Granny Silk

Oh yeah! It's another granny silk top that I found at my local thrift store several months back that makes a complete 180 and may now be my favorite top. I know!!! I just love it :)

Ok, here's where I started. Cue the boxy "old lady" silk top in a lovely green (my favorite color):

When I use the phrase "old lady" I'm only referring to a style, not an age group :-)

It's really quite bad...my son even described its very large sleeves as bat wings (who knew he had so much fashion sense?). It's a size 14 (I believe) and in perfect shape...errr, well, condition, aside from the fact that it needs a good pressing. What does need to change is the shape; too boxy, too big, but it has potential.

First things first, I seam picked those sleeves off and then resized them, trimming off the excess fabric and finishing off all of the raw edges with an overlocking stitch:

Next step was to reattach the sleeves, and upon sewing them into place, determine how much of the body of the shirt would come in as well. I basically gave it an A-line shape by taking it in from the sleeve armpit tapering out as I sewed towards the hem (again, cutting off excess and finishing all raw edges):

Last step was to change up the cuffs! I wanted them to be slimmer, and the double button closure allowed for me to remove a strip from the cuffs to make into sleeve straps:

Now, the plan was to attach the straps to the inside of each sleeve so that I could then roll up my sleeves and they would simply button on the outside holding them up, but in the end I decided I didn't want to do that to this top and am saving the straps for something else :)

Here's how the reshaping turned out! (Oh, and I did iron this one, which makes such a difference):

I absolutely love the new slimmer sleeves that just skim my wrists and the slight A-line changed the boxy shape into a flattering blouse! Bound to be one of my go-to tops for the spring <3

I decided to try out some styling to see how I might be wearing this top and came up with three different looks (though that is merely a fraction of the possibilities!):

Looks #1 and #3 are my favorite and how I'll wear this on an average day. I HAD to include the second look simply because my face makes me giggle ;). I definitely don't have many (read ANY) opportunities to rock look #2, but you never know...the husband and I could totally miraculously gain a night life and start going out dancing and such, right?! Well, here's hoping...

And one last look at the before and after:

Love it!

Hope this inspires you to take a second look at those granny tops when you're out thrifting! I'm addicted to a good granny refashion :)

Peace,
Andrea