DIY, F A S H I O N

How-to: Cutting the Perfect Off-the-Shoulder Tee

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Does this sound familiar? I love to buy band tees but I hate the boys’ crew neck! It would look so much better if it were off-the shoulder, but I don’t want to have to replace the shirt because I cut the neckline too big the first time 🙁 No worries ladies! Luckily, this is an easy fix with the help of a little resourcefulness.

Supplies

    • ∞ Band tee in a regular/loose fit, i.e. My shirt is a ladies’ Medium when I normally take an Extra Small/Small
    • ∞ Either a white chalk pencil or black Sharpie (depending on color of shirt)
    • ∞ Sharp scissors
    • ∞ Measuring Tape

  • 1. Fold your t-shirt in half by taking both sleeves to meet so that the logo or design on the front of the shirt is facing out and so that the shoulder seems match up. Take your pencil or Sharpie and mark the fold at the middle of the collar. The shirt must be symmetrical so that the mark is truly at the center.
  • 2. Take your measuring tape and measure from the base of your neck to just below the opposite shoulder. Take note of this number, but make sure to round down to the nearest number easily divisible by two. For example: My original measurement was 33cm so I rounded it down to 32cm because it was easier to divide in half. Take note of that final number for the next step.
  • 3. Lay your shirt flat. Taking that ^^ number, divide it in half. For me, I took 32 ÷ 2 = 16cm. Line up the measuring tape so that the tip is at the shoulder and the measurement (16cm) is aligned with your mark on the neck, ensuring that the side edge of the measuring tape is touching the outer hem of the shirt’s neckline.

  • 4. Make a small snip in the shoulder on the outside of your mark. Slip the bottom blade of your scissors through the hole so you’re only cutting the FRONT of the shirt.
  • 5. In a circular path, cut from that snip to the mark you made at the center of the neck.
  • 6. MAKE SURE YOU ARE ONLY CUTTING THE TOP LAYER

  • 7. Cut along the shoulder seam to remove that side of the collar from the shirt.
  • 8. Fold over the flap that you’ve just created to use as a stencil for the other side of the collar to make sure that it’s even. Don’t worry about being too careful—a few jagged edges won’t be noticeable.
  • 9. Again, cutting in a circular pattern (and following your “stencil”) cut the other side of the collar.

  • 10. With the front of the shirt still attached at one shoulder, lay the shirt flat and bring the flap to one side to lay it flat.
  • 11. To ensure that your neckline won’t stretch out too much and reveal more than you’d like, cut the back of the neck straight across. DO NOT cut in a curve to match the front of your shirt. You will regret it.

Voilá!

NOTE: Though all photos were taken by me and are from my Instagram, I have to give credit where credit is due. The concept behind this magical mathematical genius is from YouTube-er Petite Pear Style. << Click on her name to see the video that inspired this post <<

DIY, F A S H I O N

Great Find, Make it Fit: Tall Gladiator Sandals

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Does this look familiar to anyone?

As much as I love finding unique pieces to add to my wardrobe, I often forget the unfortunate truth that not all people fit a “one size fits all.” In this instance: not all gladiators fit all calves. Luckily, this is an easy fix with the help of a little resourcefulness.

—The supplies you’ll need:

  • ——————————–– Gladiator sandals
  • ——————————–– Scissors
  • ——————————–– X-acto blades or straight razors
  • ——————————–– White pencil for markings
  • ——————————–– Paper clips
  • ——————————–– Rubber cement

  1. Identify where the seamsof the straps are, and remove them from the buckle by slicing with your X-acto knife.
  2. Now that the straps are free from the buckle, loop each through its hoop to a comfortable snugness.
  3. Using your white pencil, make a mark on the underside of each strap.

Don’t Worry!! This is what it should look like^^

  1. After taking your sandals off, loop the strap through the metal loop and line up the end of the strap to where you drew the white mark. This is how you will be gluing the strap in place.
  2. Apply a bit of rubber cement to the inside of the strap within a half inch of the white mark. Press the end of the strap securely in place for about 30seconds each.
  3. To allow the rubber cement to set, gingerly bend paper clips around the glued areas and leave overnight. Your new sandals will be ready by the morning 🙂