Monday, November 15, 2010

Tutorial: Lace Keyhole Top from Polo


This tutorial's pretty short, but I know I always appreciate even the quickest of how-tos! I'm not sure where the inspiration for this top came from...I was actually about to cut it up to make some navy blue ruffles for a different top refashion, but I just couldn't bear to cut up something that already had finished buttonholes. I stood in front of the mirror buttoning and unbuttoning it, trying to figure out what I could do.  I only ended up saving one of the buttons, but I think it's an improvement- polo shirts just aren't my style.


Here's the "before" pic and another "after." Keep scrolling down for the tutorial!

How to Make a Lace Keyhole Top from a Polo Shirt

1. Start with a polo shirt like the one above.

2. Decide where you want the neckline to fall, probably at the button at the top or second from the top. I did this by folding the collar under so I could visualize the finished neckline, and buttoning the second button from the top. You'll leave that button on.
 3. Remove the buttons below the one you're going to keep.
4. Pin your lace trim (or ribbon or whatever you decide to use so that it covers up the buttonholes and where the old buttons used to be. You can also pin all the way past the buttonhole you're going to use and just cut a slit through the trim. That might be a better plan than what I did. Pin down the collar area (unless you want to leave the collar on. If you want to pin the lace all the way around the collar, you can do that, too.
4. Stitch the lace on. With mine, I stitched down both sides of the lace, but you might be able to get away with stitching just down the center.

5. Figure out how you want to finish the collar. Shh, don't tell, but mine is still just folded under. Because honestly, I kind of like the way it looks with the original polo collar out, too. Jury's still out. But, you can stitch it down, or you can just cut it off. Depending on the knit material, the fabric won't fray so you've got a lot of options.

6. Cover the button (optional). My button looked kind of ugly, but I don't have much of a button stash to replace it, and I wanted to use the existing buttonhole. I made a rolled fabric flower and glued it to a safety pin. Hooray! A cute pin that covers up the button and lace imperfections- and a cute new top, too!

41 comments:

  1. That is one I have not seen before! Thanks for this idea.

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  2. Great idea! I am definitely going to try this!

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  3. Ah, I love this! So cute. Now I need to see if I have any old polo shirts to spare! :)

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  4. I love it! I have lots of shirts that could use some updating. Thanks for the idea!

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  5. Very cute! I'm your newest follower~

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  6. How cute!! Thanks for the idea and tutorial.. I have a few polos I don't wear anymore, and this would be a cute way to revive them.

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  7. This is a fabulous idea! Great tute, thanks for sharing it at Tell Me Tuesday! http://vintagepollyanna.blogspot.com/2010/11/tell-me-tuesday-link-party-1.html

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  8. oh such an adorable idea!! Please come link up to Handmade Tuesdays @ Ladybug Blessings www.ladybug-blessings.com

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  9. LOVE this!! Love pretty much all your stuff :)

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  10. Wow! this is gorgeous! What a neat idea....I would have never come up with that one...

    I'm your newest follower from the Welcome Wednesday Hop. Please stop by Emma's Lunch :)

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  11. Hi Sarah,
    I finally got a chance to check out your blog! I love it! I will be referring to it for some ideas for the design of mine, that's for sure...if you don't mind! I will definitely be following it:) Take care!

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  12. Hi! That is a great idea! I am new follower! You can visit me at mymodernguide.blogspot.com

    Beki

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  13. Thanks for linking to TAke-A-Look Tuesday over at Sugar Bee Craft Edition - I featured you today! - - Mandy, www.craftedition.blogspot.com

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  14. Really cute.
    This is such a nice blog. I'm a new follower, following from a blog hop.
    http://abundanceyeah.blogspot.com/2010/11/anatomy-of-leftover-turkey-dirty-word.html

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  15. You have a great blog, here! I love tutorials...I am a hands on kind of person so this is great!

    I am your newest follower and would love a follow back on my review and giveaway blog, "In My Opinion...". Here is the link:

    http://couponsandfreebiesforyou.blogspot.com

    I do have several blogs, but this one is where I am looking to get followers. Thanks so much!! :)

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  16. Super cute refashion! I'm visiting from Whatever Goes Wednesday, check out my latest refashion:

    http://imakestuff4fun.blogspot.com/2010/11/punky-brewster-dress.html

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  17. soo much cuter this way - thanks for the tutorial

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  18. That is so cute!! Great refashion and it is so easy!

    Thanks for linking up! :)

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  19. What a creative redo- I didn't think you could improve on a basic polo shirt.

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  20. Wow! So cute! I have soooo many of those polos too, that'd be a great use! Thanks for linking up to fabric tuesday, see you next week :)

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  21. Brilliant! Love this idea. Thanks for sharing it.

    http://im-in-the-loop.blogspot.com/

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  22. great idea--easy way to change the look of a shirt.

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  23. Ohh I love it!!! I am going to have to go buy me a polo shirt tomorrow.

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  24. I love what you did with this shirt. I have tons of polo's that aren't really my style anymore. Now I know just what to do with them.
    Thanks so much for sharing!

    justenoughstyle.blogspot.com

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  25. I love it! And it looks easy enough for me to do!!! I just need to find some lace somewhere!!! lol I'm definitely not planning on buying any...it will show up somewhere :)

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  26. That turned out gorgeous and I love how simple it looks to make!

    Thanks for sharing!

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  27. I love this! I think you read my mind, seriously, I was just about to google polo shirt refashion! Thanks for the wonderful tutorial.

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  28. Love it! What a great neckline! Fabulous job!
    Thanks for linking up to Making It With Allie! I can't wait to see what you have for next week!
    AllieMakes.Blogspot.com

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  29. Interesting and amazing tutorial!

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  30. That is so cute! I have the perfect little polo in my closet that I have been waiting to try something on. I will link back to you if it works!

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  31. Thank you for linking up at Sew Woodsy! We featured your project yesterday! Please make sure you grab a "featured" button!

    http://sewwoodsy.blogspot.com/2010/11/features-winner-of-timber-green-woods.html

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  32. This is REALLY cute!! And simple to change! Thanks for the idea. :)

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  33. huzzah! finally something cute to wear out of those awful school polo shirts.

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  34. I like left polo. that nice. I enjoyed these page.I think its very soft outfit to wear. awesome!!
    sell my house

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