Resizing a T-shirt: A Tutorial

T shirts are wardrobe staples. they come in all shapes, sizes, colors, fits and prints. but what happens when you have a tshirt that you LOVE, but its way too big, and seriously unflattering? You resize it! Give a more feminine fit to your boyfriend's old band shirts, the incredibly cool oversized thrift store find that you couldnt pass up, a plain clearance tshirt you found in the men's section at target for $1.61, or the big baggy work shirts you were issued on your first day, and happen to look terrible in. Heres how.

Go to your closet and find your favorite t shirt. the one that fits you like a dream,(the one thats getting a little holey, but you can't part with...) And your big shirts that need to be resized.

Lay your big shirt out on the floor (or table) making sure that it is smoothed out and seams are matching.

Lay your perfect shirt on top, lining up the shoulder seams.

Cut the larger shirt (through both layers) about 1/2 inch away from the seam of the smaller shirt.

Stop when you get to the end of the side seam.

Fold the sleeve back so you can see the curve of the arm hole. use as a guide to cut the arm hole.

Fold the shirt in half, matching at the neckline and cut the other side. save the sleeve pieces.

Match the sleeve hem of the smaller shirt to the sleeve of the larger. use the top of the sleeve as the guide- you will be cutting the bottom to make a new underarm seam.

Cut the larger sleeve using the smaller one as a guide. fold the smaller shirt back as needed to see the curve. Make sure to allow 1/2 inch seam allowance, just like you did for the body.

Now the fun part!

Sewing your shirt together:

Right sides together, pin your sleeve to the arm hole of the shirt, matching both ends and center. Strech slightly as needed.





Sew with a straight stitch and 1/2 inch seam allowance.

once both sleeves are sewn in, match up side seams, right sides together,  and pin.

Then sew sides seams together using a 1/2 inch seam allowance.

Turn shirt right side out, and wear it with pride!

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