Toddler Boy's Hawaiian Shirt- from a men's XL!

I am participating in the fun sew-along at Project Run and Play.  It is so much fun to see what everyone comes up with!  Some of my competitors are just fabulous in the sewing room and with the camera, so it is a little intimidating...but I am still going to give it a shot every week!

Tommy in his new shirt- he even brought an accessory!

 This week's challenge is to make Boy's clothing.  I don't have a son, but I have plenty of nephews, and one happens to live not too far away.  It didn't take long for me to get inspired- my husband and I were getting a box together for Goodwill when I saw him toss in a hideous Hawaiian shirt from a Magnum P.I. themed party we attended last summer.  My brother LOVES hideous Hawaiian shirts, so I could have given it to him, but instead I decided to use it for this challenge and re-purpose it for his son Tommy.

No outdoor photos today, buddy- we got our first big snow!

I think it turned out pretty cute!  It actually took me less time than you might think- I used the existing button holes, bottom hems, collar, and sleeve hems.  To do this, just grab any boy's shirt pattern you have (I used a pajama pattern for a looser Hawaiian-y fit) then line up the pieces where the part is on the big shirt you want to use.  Remember that you won't need your hem allowances or placket parts, etc., so move over your pattern accordingly. 

The center back seam of the collar- doesn't look bad at all, and saves a lot of time!!!

The collar was super easy too- I just cut it down the center, removed several inches to fit, and attached to the top of the shirt.

It really was amazing how easy this was, I will have to make Tommy more shirts in the future!

I really love this shirt!

No, for real, I mean it.

I did make his shorts too...they were out of an old pair of my husband's khakis.  I think I'd like to do a more formal tutorial on this so I will leave out those instructions for now.  By reusing all pockets, they sure are cute and easy, but more complicated than the shirt.