Flannel & Lace Sewing Tutorial

I finally have my first sewing tutorial put together!  I got the idea for this top while looking around at the store Altar'd State.  I thought the idea of adding a bit of femininity to a bit of a masculine shirt was cool.  When I saw this top at the store I knew I could put this together for half the price by using a shirt from a thrift store and everything else from the sewing store.  The flannel was easy to find, I found it at Thriftland in the men's section.  What drew me to it where the colors and pattern of the plaid and it's super soft.  It's also OshKosh, so I knew that this shirt was old and of good quality.  There's also a special place in my heart for the OshKosh brand.  Anyway, the lace was a bit more of a challenge to find.  I didn't see anything I liked at Joann's.  After researching a little about lace and the type I had in mind, I discovered I needed to find a tulle trim with an embroidery on the bottom.  I ended up finding what I wanted on Etsy from a seller in China.  I got 2 yards of the tulle trim for $10. I also decided to shorten the sleeves and adding faux sleeve tabs.  I thought the shirt came together quickly and looks cute.  It's great to layer over a graphic tee with leggings or jeans.  Here is how I put it together:

1. Measure and cut 3 inches from the bottom hem line of the flannel shirt.

2. Measure and cut about 8 inches from the bottom of each sleeve.  For me, this was where the split on the sleeve cuff ended.

3. Next, baste stitch about 1/4 inch from the raw edge of lace.  Gather the lace a little by pulling on the bobbin thread.

4. Press up a 1/2 inch hem on the bottom of shirt.  Pin gathered lace trim to 1/2 inch hem (the edge of raw lace should meet raw edge of flannel). Sew together with lace side up to keep raw edges even while sewing.  Press hem again on flannel side.

5. For sleeve hems, press up 1/2 inch hem,  then sew.

6. For sleeve tabs, measure and cut 2 pieces from scrapped fabric (mine where 8 inches x 1 1/2 inches).  Fold and press length wise, right sides together.

7. Sew one short end of tab, turn corner and continue down long end, leaving about 1/8 inch seam.  The other sort end will be left open.  Turn right side out, clip corners, press.

8. Determine where to place button and sleeve tab.  Measure about 4 inches from sleeve end, mark where sleeve tab will be placed (tab may be longer than needed).  I measured about 5 inches of the tab to come up and over sleeve end.  Sew open end of tab on inside of sleeve.

9. Pull up sleeve tab to outside of sleeve, adjust  how much of sleeve you want gathered, sew button through all layers.