“Well, anyway let me say you’re welcome.” — Maui
David had a request for me. The drive in theater that he works at would soon be showing Moana 2, could I make him a Moana shirt? Of course I could! I’ve been trying to use up fabric that I already have, or I try to up cycle things. I had some Moana fabric, BUT a very small amount. I looked through my entire pattern collection for a men’s shirt that had panels in it. The only pattern I had that would work with my fabric was this one, that I’ve already made. Oh well, the pattern was perfect for what I had to work with!
The grey fabric was an old cotton sheet, the turquoise was leftover from the “pond” that I had put on baby Connor’s quilt. The Moana fabric was a halter top that Mia had made for herself for Lauren’s first birthday. Here Mia and Lauren are, dressed up for her Moana themed birthday party.
To check out the pond, you can visit or revisit the post where the turquoise was first featured.
When the birthday party was over Mia said she would never wear the halter top again, so I tossed it into my stash. I pulled it out and got to work taking it apart, and making the fabric usable to me. The first time around this fabric was a halter top, now it would be a shirt. It truly is Moana 2! HA!
I carefully laid out the pattern pieces on the color I needed them to be.
I laid out the sleeves.
The collar and center stripes where the buttons go were going to be turquoise. I got those laid out and cut out.
For the two pieces of the Moana fabric I had to piece them together. The halter top was shorter than these pieces, so I cut the pieces and got them together!
I then got busy assembling the shirt!
Pinning the side grey pieces to the other colors.
Ironing on the interfacing to the inside of the collar.
The shirt facings also had interfacing. Then I pinned them into place.
Sleeves in place and ready to be sewn!
Sides pinned into place.
This picture is strictly me congratulating myself on lining up the pattern so well! Do you see the seam?
The button holes were marked and ready to be sewn. I chose some grey buttons that I had in a jar to have some new life with this shirt!
A quick finishing touch.
David was ready for his shift at the drive in!
Of course he had to do a quick photo shoot for his mom!
I love the way the shirt turned out! Of course it’s Moana, but I think it could be worn to any Hawaiian themed event.
Or he can just wear it any day of the week!
David goofing around on the piano instead of taking his photo shoot serious! HA! But he can actually play, he taught himself. (*proud mom moment)
David said he got lots of compliments about his shirt, but more importantly it made him happy! You’re welcome son!
Sewing this shirt was very satisfying! I’m glad I was able to use what I had on hand and make it into a super cool, custom shirt!
Up cycling projects are always fun ones. I love a good up cycle! How about you? Any good up cycling tips or projects? They don’t have to be sewing related, I just love hearing about and seeing people’s creativity! Comment below or let me know!
As for me, onto the next!
Love it!!
Love the shirt! It looks so great on David too! As for up cycling, here’s a cooking tip…when you have leftover, it can get kind of boring just heating them up. Instead, think about making a crescent ring. We had nachos the other night, and instead of just having nachos until everything was gone, I put some crescents into a ring (long ends together with the tips pointing out). Then I put the beans, beef, and nacho cheese onto the crescents. You then wrap the point ends over the filling. Bake it until the crescents are golden brown. I served it with the other nacho sides…sour cream, avocado, salsa (this could have gone inside), lettuce, olives…whatever you like. There are endless ways you use this idea. You can even make breakfast ones or dessert ones. Tonight I’m trying leftover fried chicken and gravy.❤️❤️❤️
Yum! That sounds delicious!
Love a good upcycling project!! The shirt looks great on David!
David looks quite dapper in his new Moana shirt. I feel like I probably upcycle more than I realize at this exact moment, but a most recent upcycle idea I saw was freezing old candles that have burned to the bottom. When the wax is frozen it should slip out of the glass container. Clean it up and use it as a pot for a plant.
Looks great!! Another project well done!
What a great make! David certainly wears it well and I’m sure he will show off his Mom’s skills frequently!