Erin Kilfoy

From dresses to T-shirts, and even leggings if you want to take it that far, trendy cut outs have been hard to avoid.  But nobody wants to spend Urban Outfitter’s sixty dollar price tag for some shirt that you can’t wear every day.  Instead, make one yourself!

Step One: Take a drive to your nearest Goodwill or Value Village.  These thrift stores are filled with racks packed tight with cozy old sweaters and brand new pieces from Target’s overstock.  If you’re lucky, you might be able to find more unique pieces like the Indian embroidered elephant vest I gave away for a white elephant party.  Ignore all your uncomfortable feelings about used clothes, the sweater you’re about to buy is a whopping three dollars.

Step Two: Buy Sweater

Step Three: When you get home, lay your sweater out on a flat surface.

Step Four: Fold the sweater in half. You could do each sleeve individually, but this will make the cut outs symmetrical.

Step Five: Take a pair of scissors, and cut a triangle shape out of the shoulder.  Proceed to cut more triangles down the sleeve until there you approach the wrist.  Make sure each one is evenly spaced, and also to leave room between your last cut out and wrist.

Step Six: Unfold and wear! If there are any minor imperfections, feel free to go back with a pair of scissors and perfect your masterpiece.  Enjoy!