It can be annoying to discover that your favorite T-shirt is slightly too big, but you don’t have to give up on it just yet. There are techniques to get a shirt to fit perfectly, regardless of whether it’s brand-new and a little oversized or worn out and stretched out over time. The good news is that you can pull it off without being a seamstress extraordinaire. A few basic sewing skills will allow you to resize your T-shirt at home with ease.
We’ll go over some simple techniques in this post to help you shorten the sleeves, take in the sides, and even reshape the neckline if necessary. Whether you’re sewing by hand or with a sewing machine, these instructions are simple to follow. Helping you get a smaller, more attractive fit without sacrificing the coziness and appeal of your go-to tee is the aim.
You can revitalize your wardrobe and make a T-shirt that feels like it was made specifically for you by making a few easy changes. Let’s explore the different techniques for making a T-shirt fit perfectly by sewing it one size smaller.
Method | Description |
Dart Adjustment | Sew darts along the side seams to reduce the size by taking in excess fabric. |
Side Seam Tapering | Take in the side seams from under the arm down to the hem to make the shirt smaller. |
Adding Elastic | Sew elastic along the inside of the side seams to gather the fabric and create a tighter fit. |
Hem Shortening | Shorten the hem and resew it to adjust the length and overall fit. |
- How to work with different fabrics
- Self-hemming
- Neckline
- On the sides
- In the shoulders
- Under the arms
- Hemming along the length
- On a sewing machine
- Manually
- How to sew in straps on a T-shirt
- Video on the topic
- How to sew in a T-shirt shirt on the sides. SEAMSTRESSES DON"T DO THIS. Reduce the size of a T-shirt tank top
- How to Hem a T-Shirt Yourself
- How to shrink a knitted T-shirt. Changing the size of a T-shirt
How to work with different fabrics
Take a close look at the fabric that the T-shirt or other item is made of before searching for specific sewing instructions. Each material has specifics when working with it. A suitable needle, thread, and even the size of scissors are chosen based on the type of fabric.
Thus, tiny needles and thin threads are used to sew thin fabrics. The thread color needs to coordinate with the material’s primary tone. Considerations like the material’s degree of cutting resistance are made when selecting scissors. It is large for materials like cotton, linen, and synthetics and small for woolen fabrics. If the fabric you have chosen is prone to shrinking, you should first apply wet heat treatment (WHT) to the cut (or the finished product that needs to be re-sewn) before beginning to cut it.
When working with loose fabrics (like silk), it’s important to make larger seam allowances and prepare an overlock beforehand. In this situation, experts advise processing the edges before beginning to baste the product. Slippery or easily deformed fabrics should be cut and recut with extreme caution using extremely sharp scissors. Before beginning work, it is most convenient to affix them to a cardboard template.
Self-hemming
Only when a piece of apparel fits properly is it worn with pleasure. The rule also applies to t-shirts. Therefore, you should attempt to alter the item yourself if it has a narrow collar, too wide shoulders, or is the incorrect length for your summer wardrobe. How to hem a T-shirt on a sewing machine shouldn’t be too tough for you to figure out if you don’t have much sewing experience.
Neckline
- Prepare pins, a hand needle for knitwear (with a blunt tip) or a sewing machine.
- Turn the product inside out.
- Fold the edge of the collar to the wrong side and carefully pin it with pins.
- Sew the trim by hand or sew on a sewing machine. It is important that the stitching is elastic.
- Rip off the collar trim from the T-shirt.
- Rip off any shoulder seam by about 2 cm.
- Iron all parts of the product.
- Cut the seam from the trim strip.
- Unfold and iron the strip again, stretching it at the same time.
- Process one of the long edges of the strip with an overlock.
- Fold the strip and the T-shirt with the right sides together.
- Baste so that the neckline and the raw edge of the strip match.
- Cut off the excess part of the strip.
- Sew the strip.
- Turn the sewn strip to the wrong side and baste.
- Sew the strip and topstitch next to it at a distance of 0.5 cm.
- Sew up and process the ripped section of the shoulder seam.
Use of this method is not always possible at home because not every household has an overlock.
On the sides
Purchasing or receiving a T-shirt that is larger than necessary is a common occurrence. Don’t rush to turn it into a roomy home ensemble. It won’t be hard at all to sew a T-shirt one size smaller, after all.
- During the fitting process, mark the locations of future seams – each side, from below and to the armhole line.
- Without ripping the seams, cut off the overlock stitch both on the sides and in the armhole.
- Mark the line of the future seam with chalk (it is better to use a pattern).
- Fold the T-shirt in half lengthwise, align the cuts and pin everything together (the left and right sides should be identical).
- Mark the new armhole line with chalk.
- Do not remove the pins, but use them to pin the back, front and armhole.
- Fold the product along the shoulder seams and pin together.
- Cut off all excess, leaving a seam allowance of 0.7 cm.
- Fold the sleeves together, be sure to chip the bottom.
- Mark the highest point on the ridge line with chalk.
- Mark the front part of the part, transfer similar marks to the second sleeve.
- Remove all pins.
- Align the sleeve caps with the armholes, and the highest point of the cap with the shoulder seams.
- Sew all seams. It is recommended to sew the sides and sleeves at one time.
As a result, shrinking a T-shirt’ssizewon’t be tough. Even simpler to sew—you don’t have to fiddle with the sleeves when making a top or vest.
In the shoulders
- Mark the desired length from the collar to the far shoulder line.
- Draw a line with chalk, taking into account that the seam should end at the edge of the armpit line.
- Fold the T-shirt in half.
- Cut the fabric along the line. If everything is done correctly, the main part of the T-shirt and the sleeve will become separate fragments.
- Pin together the cut sleeve, back and front.
- Sew the connected parts and steam with an iron.
To keep the fabric from tightening, the primary rule to follow when making alterations to T-shirts is to use a knitted, relatively wide seam.
Under the arms
The armpit of a T-shirt may be too wide, even if the product itself is just right. The problem may be in a non-standard figure, not the most accurate pattern, etc. . Most often, to correct the armhole, the clothes are sewn along the shoulder seam line – it is simpler and more convenient. But there is another option: take a piece of clothing with an optimal armhole as a sample, apply it on a flat surface to the T-shirt that is to be altered and, matching the shoulder seams, carefully transfer the armhole line, then cut off the excess and sew the product. The most important thing is to make sure that both T-shirts are well straightened.
You don’t have to throw away a T-shirt that is slightly too big because it is actually quite simple to sew it down one size. You can improve the fit by taking in the sides, adjusting the sleeves, and even reshaping the neckline with a few easy techniques. This tutorial will show you how to adjust the fit of your T-shirt so that it looks more comfortable and flattering, whether you choose to use a sewing machine or do it by hand.
Hemming along the length
Sometimes the product fits great, but you don’t like the length of it. Giving a dress or T-shirt to a studio is the easiest thing ever, but doing the work yourself isn’t all that harder. Either use a sewing machine or the tried-and-true manual method to shorten the length.
On a sewing machine
- The item is cut to a certain length.
- The bottom of the T-shirt is folded along a pre-marked line and the distance from the edge at which the seam will be made is determined, basted.
- Place the item of clothing to be shortened under the foot of the sewing machine with the wrong side up.
- Align it so that the left needle is located at the very edge of the hem.
- Put a stopper and stitch in a circle with a blind stitch, trying to avoid pulling.
- Tie knots and hide the threads.
Manually
If one doesn’t have access to a sewing machine and prefers to consult an expert in a studio, the least that can be done to shorten the product’s length is to learn how to manually hem a T-shirt.
It is preferable to process the edge with an overlock if there is a chance that the knitted weave may "go" and the garment is sufficiently dense and not prone to unraveling.
After the T-shirt is shortened, the bottom is manually hemmed using a hidden cross stitch, also known as a "goat."
To accomplish this, thread one or two threads of fabric from the top and bottom of the allowance cut with a needle. Making sure the stitches are hidden from view from the outside is crucial. There should be roughly one centimeter between each thread grab on the fabric.
How to sew in straps on a T-shirt
- the strap is torn off on one side (preferably from the back);
- excess fabric is removed;
- the part is returned to its place and carefully sewn on
It is necessary to measure the length that will ultimately be obtained carefully before cutting off the straps.
Making a T-shirt one size smaller can be an easy but satisfying project. You can revitalize your favorite clothes and get a better fit with the appropriate method. Whether you decide to trim the hem, take in the sides, or alter the sleeves, each technique provides an easy way to personalize your T-shirt.
Sewing requires patience, particularly if you’re new to making adjustments. Before making any cuts, measure and mark your fabric carefully. This will guarantee that the final product looks professional and that your adjustments are accurate. Remember to try the shirt on as you go and adjust as needed to achieve the ideal fit.
Your wardrobe can take on a whole new dimension if you learn how to sew T-shirts one size smaller. You can experiment with different fits and styles in addition to prolonging the life of your clothing. You’ll develop the self-assurance to take on trickier sewing projects down the road with practice.