Four Ways to Make a Shirt Too Small
If you have a favorite T-shirt that’s too small to wear comfortably or just doesn’t fit anymore, you don’t have to throw it away or give it away. Here are four simple methods to loosen or increase the size so you can wear it again.
The method you use depends on what you want to store in the shirt, your sewing level, and how you want the shirt to look.
- Add slits : This is a no-sewing technique that preserves the entire shirt, so if you have a shirt made of really comfortable material this is a good option. This is the first example in the video above, but you can cut a vertical slit in front of the neckline, remove the sleeves and cut out larger armholes, or cut out the slits at the side for a looser fit, it’s up to you.
- Matching with another shirt : You should be able to sew in a straight line, and this method will be easier if you have a sewing machine. Save or buy a plain T-shirt that is similar in color to the shirt you want to enlarge. Cut the arms off the original shirt and cut the side seam to separate the back from the front. Cut wide strips from the plain shirt and sew them between the front and back of the original shirt. Trim armholes. You can also use fabric glue instead of sewing, but the look will not be as clean and the shirt will not be as durable.
- Design Transfer : If you mainly want to keep the design on your shirt and have average sewing skills, this technique is for you. Crop the image, leaving an inch or two as a buffer. You end up with a big patch. Sew the patch onto a new, larger shirt in the same color as the original shirt. Again, you can use other attachment methods, such as fabric glue, but they don’t hold as well over time as sewing.
- Making new sleeves : This technique requires moderate sewing skills as you will be creating new sleeves and sides to attach to the original shirt. Buy fabric that is similar in color to your original shirt, or use another shirt you already own and draw a pattern for the sleeves and sides that will eventually connect the front and back of the original shirt. Cut the arms off the original shirt and cut the side seam. Sew both sides and sleeves together, then sew on the original shirt.
The last two techniques are best for dark shirts where the thread will be less visible. You can always practice on an old shirt or a cheap thrifty shirt before cutting your cherished tee. Watch the full video above for a step-by-step guide to each technique.
4 Ways to Increase the Size of T-shirts | Coolirpa (YouTube)