DIY: Cut-out checks {how to}

So as promised, here are the step-by-step instructions of how I transformed my plaid shirt. You can do this to any shirt/top – so use your imagination

So here’s what the top looked life before I did anything to it.

Step 1. Fold your shirt directly in half (symmetrically), making sure everything lines up perfectly and then iron along the seams to ensure they are flat and smooth.2. Cut along the shoulder seam of the top to create the cut-out. Cutting a small amount at a time works best, as you can always keep cutting if it’s not enough. Cut in a slight curved shape, so the fabric drapes around your shoulders nicely. Try the top on to see how the cut-outs are sitting, and if need be cut more – keep repeating this until you get the look you desire.3. This is what mine looked like once I finished cutting.5. I then decided that I wanted to curve the hem as well. To have the front hem shorter than the back. So if you would like to do this as well, fold the shirt in enough again (vertically), making sure everything lines up. Iron down to smooth it all out if neccessary. Then cut the hem to the shape you desire.

6. Here’s how  mine looked after cutting the hem. After I cut mine, i realised that the pockets stick out a bit under the hem – but I quite liked the rugged-ness of this, so decided to keep them

7. The final step is to hem all the cut edges of the top. Depending on the fabric of your shirt, you might need to iron down the hem folds first to make sure they stay in place. I hemmed mine by hand, as my sewing machine is still in London.. but either way works.

And here’s what it looks like finished.

Would love to know your thoughts – or even better pictures/links to your attempt at this DIY.

Have fun creating!

(Outfit: DIY top; Mango jeans; River-Island boots)

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