How to Fix Shirts that are Too Big
Sometimes there are shirts hanging in our closets that we don't wear because they are just a bit too large. It may be that the sleeves are too long, but more commonly, the shirt will be too wide to look fashionable. With just a few basic sewing skills, it is possible to taper the shirt to make it a size or two smaller and more attractive.
Things You'll Need
- A smaller shirt that fits well
- Tailor's chalk
- Pins
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Iron
Instructions
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1
Button up the large shirt if it is a button-down shirt. Turn the shirt inside out. Lay the shirt on a flat surface.Turn the smaller shirt inside out and lay it on top of the large shirt.
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2
Use the tailor's chalk to draw two lines, one on each side on the side seams on either side of the shirt. Draw the line 1/2-inch wider than the side seams on the smaller shirt. Remove the smaller shirt. Cut along the drawn lines with scissors.
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3
Place the straight pins along the two cut seams, spacing the pins about 1 inch apart.Stitch the two side seams using a straight stitch on the sewing machine and matching colored thread. Clip the excess threads. Press the seams open.
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Tips & Warnings
If the sleeves of the shirt are too long, fold the ends over 1 or 2 inches and stitch in place with a straight stitch, 1 inch from the folded edge. Sew a second line of stitching once more around the sleeve, near the edge.
Do not leave pins and scissors where small children might pick them up.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Creatas/Getty Images
