How to Alter a Button Down Shirt

Whether you've recently lost weight or received an oversize shirt as a gift, altering that shirt for the fit you want isn't as hard as it seems. With a basic knowledge of sewing, you can alter a button-down shirt rather quickly.

Things You'll Need

• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Shirt to be altered

Instructions

1. Put your shirt on inside out.

2. Have a friend pin the shirt along the sides so that it fits you the way you want. When your friend is pinning the shirt, be sure to hold your arms straight out at your sides so it can be pinned more easily. Make sure the sides are pinned evenly.

3. Take off the shirt and get ready to sew.

4. Start just above the armpit and sew straight down the side of the shirt to the bottom following the line of the straight pins. Be sure to sew in a straight line. You don't want your shirt to have crooked seams.

5. Do the same thing to the other side of the shirt.

6. Turn your shirt right side out and try it on. If you're happy with the fit, you can cut off the excess fabric inside.

Tips & Warnings

• You can do this by hand, but using a sewing machine is a lot faster and makes it easier to keep your seams straight.