For this week’s post I thought it would be fun to put a spring twist on the traditional button-down shirt. The warm weather brings out brighter colors, so add a little neon to a plain button down from Goodwill and go enjoy the sunshine.

You will need:

-A button down from Goodwill in your size (check the sleeve length and neck size for good fit)

- Neon piping from a fabric store (sold by the yard, I got five yards and had extra, but you can bring your shirt and measure it out exactly in the store)

-Thread to match your shirt

-Pins

-Seam ripper

-Matching buttons, or button cover kits, and matching fabric

First seam rip a few stiches at the base of the collar so that you can insert the end of the piping into the seam.

Then begin running the piping around the collar, using pins to secure it in place. Take you time going around the collar points- fold the piping so that it goes around them neatly. When you get to the end, rip a few stiches, cut the piping and insert the end into the seam.

Next trim the buttonhole placket. Start at the top right and make your way to the bottom, pinning along the edge. Once at the bottom corner, seam rip the edge attached to the front of the shirt so the piping can slip under the corner and continue up the other side.

Next sew the piping in place. When you get to the corners its helpful to use the point of your seam ripper to keep the piping in place as you pivot around the corner.

Finally remove the buttons from the shirt and replace them with new, matching buttons.

That’s all it takes. In about 30 minutes you can transform a plain shirt from Goodwill into a unique statement piece for a quarter of the price of a designer shirt. And, you’ll be helping your community at the same time by shopping at Goodwill!