I love chambray just as much as the next person, well maybe a little bit more than the next person but there’s no way I could wear my collection of thrifted long-sleeve chambray shirts over summer in Queensland…that was until I got wind of A Pair and a Spare’s DIY tie up top project.

This DIY is a piece of cake and took less than half an hour so for all those time poor people with minimal sewing skills, this one’s for you!

Here’s the how to…

1. The first step is to thrift yourself a men’s shirt…look for slim fit styles and check that the sleeve opening connecting to the shoulder isn’t too ginormous as it’ll leave gaping holes! I found this Jag men’s pyjama shirt at the Preloved Boutique in Morningside for $3.50!
2. Chop off the sleeves at the shoulder seam

3. Fold the sleeves in at the top about a centimetre deep and iron flat to create a clean edge
4. Figure out where you want the sleeves to attach to the sides of your shirt and pin on (use a tape measure to make sure that both sleeves are even)

5. Sew the sleeves on to the side seams, tie your top up and Bob’s your uncle!

I know I’ve gone on a lot about chambray, but you can actually use other coloured shirts if you like…you have my blessing. I think this DIY would look super fresh using a crisp white collared shirt as well as any kind of stripe prints, because stripes!!!

Let me know if you have any other chambray shirt DIYs I can do in the comments below (pretty please)…