How I make a basic shirt.

This is the procedure I used to make my first basic shirt in the Gimp. Not knowing that I could use the psd files in the Gimp, I used Robin Sojourner's jpegs for my templates; there are also templates available from Chip Midnight.

• Open the upper body template, 512x512 resolution. We're not too concerned about fiddly little details, so 512 is fine. If we wanted more detail, we would pump the texture up to 1024 or 2048 or something larger, then resize the image just before saving to import into Second Life.
  
• Save the file under a new name, eg Shirt.xcf. This is so that we don't accidently blitz the original template file.
• Create a new layer over the top of the template layer. I usually default to a transparent layer, but in this instance, it's not too important.
• Using the Bucket Fill tool, fill the new layer with the color you want your shirt to be.
• 

Reduce the opacity of the new layer, so that you can sufficiently see the template behind it.

• Now it's time to cut away the pieces of the new layer to create the neckline, and to determine the sleeve length. Using the Path tool, select the area to be cut away; next, alter this path to create the curves you require.

• Select "Create selection from path" and press ctrl-x to cut that section away.
• Repeat for the rear of the neckline and both sleeves. It's important to delineate the cut here rather than leaving it until you get into the Appearance editor in Second Life - you will get a crisper line this way.
• Remember to turn off the template layer and move the opacity back up before you make your final save for the purposes of uploading to Second Life!
  

• Save the file as a Targa file, eg Shirt.tga. Uncheck both the options before saving.

• You are now ready to upload the file to Second Life!!
• Choose File->Upload image (L$10)
  
• Browse to the location of your tga file and select it. You may want to have this file somewhere very easy to browse to - while I have no trouble, I know people who have a time limit within which they must make their selection, or the upload fails.
• In your inventory, right click on a folder to go to New Clothes->New Shirt and select.
• Right click and wear the shirt.
• Right click on yourself and go into Appearance mode.
• Under Clothes select Shirt.
• In your inventory, find the texture you uploaded (the result of Upload Image). Drag this texture from your inventory over to the Fabric selection box for the shirt.
• Remember to save what you have done before you close the Appearance window!
• You are technically done at this point, unless you find that the front and back parts of the garment are not matched up properly, or something like that. Otherwise, you are finished!