Another set of summery holiday pictures, I’m afraid!

This pale yellow men’s shirt is from the British Heart Foundation shop in Whitby and cost £3.30. It’s a rather large size 17.5. The reason for choosing a shirt so large is that the collar was a massive 17.5 inches, making this year’s trend for wearing button up shirts with the top button done up a lot more comfortable.

To get the sleeveless look, I… cut off the sleeves.

I tried the shirt on and pinned it as small as I wanted around the midsection, as well as the shoulder position and a rough position for the underarm. You can see in the picture that I quickly cut the new shape on one side then folded it in half vertically to use one side as a guide for cutting the other, so I can be sure both sides are the same.

I tried it on again and decided the top needed to be a little more fitted so I added a pair of bust darts starting at the armscye. It helped a lot.

I cut some quick pockets from the old sleeves and topstitched around the pocket flaps.

Here they are added to the shirt. Of course, I also finished the armholes by turning the ends in twice and stitching.

Here’s how it looks on. I’m rather pleased with it. (More on the shorts, er, shortly!)