Lately, I have been practicing because thrifty stores have a plethora of men's or old lady clothes that can be put to greater use using this quick method. With a stronger stitch this shirt could hold up better than the low quality overpriced shirts at big name retail.

Here's how the oversized shirt fit on me...



The blue shirt is 2x men's and was about 29 inches across. Bulky, huh?

Difficulty: Easy

First turn the blue shirt inside out and lay a formfitting button down shirt on top.



In this case the formfitting template is white. Add straight pins to shoulders, underarms and bottom. This is only to secure the shirts so they doesn't move while cutting. For more security, add an additional pin to the middle of the shirt.

Second, trace the outline of the template (white shirt)onto the blue and pin the blue shirt every 4 inches or as needed. Unpin the template so you can work on the sleeves.

Third, measure yourself like below. I was 15 inches round and I added an inch for slack.



Now I know from shoulder to pit is 16 around. Divide that by 2 and mark 8 inches like below. Use same method to measure middle of sleeve/forearm and wrist on both arms.




Now that you're all pinned up, try it on inside out and do a short exercise routine so you can adjust as needed. If it's pulling too much in one spot when you sit or stretch, give extra slack.


Fourth: give about .5-1 inch allowance when you cut it out. I didn't and you will see below what happens if you don't. It's easiest to start in the middle when you begin cutting but I started under the arm because I wanted to reuse the scrap.


Tip: when shopping for shirts, pay attention to the pattern. Good quality striped or plaid button down shirts can be folded in half and the pattern will be equally matched on both sides. Use this as a cutting guide.

Lastly, sew on your trace line, then try it on.

Here it the after



Here's a good view of the back. This is what happens when you cut too much armpit away.


Because my breasts are larger, it doesn't look like it gives in the back but i did my exercise routine and no rips or tears lol so it's extremely comfy and looks dynamite from the front.



The edges are still raw and it a little snug at the waist because I wear belts. I will add two finished slits with 2 minutes to spare on this project hehehe. When fall comes around, I will make it more pear shaped. It's too hot to not leave a little slack.


You will run into some kinks afterward. You may feel like the yolk is too wide.or the collar or cuffs are too large or floppy. I will show how to detail a button down shirt painlessly in the next tute. Btw, I like the collar size but the cuff is awkward because the yolk is too long, resulting in bunching at the cuff. I will be sewing 2 inches of cuff bunch shut.



Version #2 coming soon!