Fashion Fix: Sleeveless shirt

This is a wonderfully simple fashion fix but can revive any unloved wintery tops and put them back in pole position for Summer. What could be simpler than removing sleeves?

Photo Amanda Thomas

1. Start by cutting the sleeves off your shirt
2. Sew bias binding along the colour, arm holes and pocket top. If your shirt has a pocket, you may want to unpick the top of the pocket and re-sew in place once the binding is on.
3. Change the shirt buttons to random colours which will compliment the colours in the binding.

If you want to make your own bias binding, follow my easy steps here

Fashion Fix: Boyfriend Birthday Special...Monogramming Initials

I've had to keep this post under wraps as it's my boyfriend's birthday present! This post will probably embarrass him horribly, but ever since spying this cutting in the Sunday Times Style magazine I was hatching a plan...

Like they say in the Times, the obsession with engraving your initials onto possessions has both a nostalgic quality and a way to add personal value to any item. My friend Bianca had already branded hers and Polly's brollies and I was keen to follow suit. All this takes is a bit of embroidery thread and the knowhow with a few choice embroidery stitches.

I chose bright colours to contrast with the pale linen colours of the shirts.

Here are diagrams of a few of my favourite simpler embroidery stitches good for monogramming. Use four strands of your embroidery thread for a chunky 'font'.

Chain Stitch

French Knot. Useful for full stops between initials

Split Stitch, I used this one for Ant's shirts.

And it all went in a box lined with that amazing wallpaper!