Tools and materials:
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Pins
- Sewing machine
- Needle and thread
Thrifted clothes that are just too big is a problem we all face! There’s no need to get rid of your clothes when you can learn how to fix them. I thrifted a dress shirt that I adored but it was just too big for me. I decided to get sewing and fixed the shirt and now it fits just right. I am totally obsessed with my dress shirt and I am so glad I didn’t get rid of it. If you have a shirt that is a little oversized, follow my tutorial and learn the ins and outs of fixing a dress shirt that is too big. My simple, step-by-step guide will leave you with the perfect fitting shirt in no time.
To kick off this refashion project, I turned the shirt inside out and then cut off the sleeves.
Once the sleeves had been cut off, I cut off the seam allowance from the sleeve itself. If you are cutting a lot off of the sleeve head, later on, you can probably just skip this step.
Next, I cut the side seams of the shirt open so that I could take in the shirt later.
I realized that I needed to adjust the darts on the front of the shirt to get the perfect fit. I tried on my dress shirt and decided to move the darts an inch inwards towards the apex of the breast. This is also the perfect time to adjust the width of the shoulder seams if you need to. I have broader shoulders so I didn’t need to change much but if you have more narrow shoulders, you’ll want to cut off enough so that the shoulder seam fits you just right.
After those adjustments, I decided where I wanted my new side seams to be. I took in about an inch and a half on each side of the shirt. I made sure to pin the two sides together.
I sewed the sides together and cut off the excess material. I then finished off the raw edges using a serger but you can also use a zig-zag stitch. If you need to hem the bottom of the shirt, this is a great opportunity to do that as well.
I measured the armhole of the blouse and took note of the measurement so that I could make sure my sleeves would fit perfectly on my refashioned dress shirt.
I then measured the sleeve head and marked it so that it would match the sleeve hole.
In the next step, I cut the underarm seam along my marking. I only cut halfway because I knew I would be making short sleeves later.
Once I had trimmed under the sleeve, I decided to get the best fit I would need to recontour the sleeve head. I cut the sleeve head shorter and made sure to match the curve of the original one.
This was the perfect time to try the sleeve on and find the new length I wanted. I cut the first sleeve and then used it as a template to cut the second so that they would be the exact same length.
Finally, it was time to reattach my new and improved sleeves to the shirt. I left the shirt inside out and had the sleeve right side out. I placed the sleeve inside the shirt and matched up the underarm seam with the seam of the sleeve and pinned them together. I then pinned the fold of the top of the sleeve with the shoulder seam of the bodice. I pinned all the way around and then sewed on the sleeves. I finished the raw edges with my serger.
Next, I had to hem the sleeves. I serged the raw edges and then double folded the sleeve to create a cuff. I made sure to tack down the top and bottom of the cuff to the sleeve. Once I tried on the shirt, I decided I wanted a more polished look for the sleeve so I slip-stitched it instead. Slip stitching involves hand sewing the sleeve to the inside portion of the cuff where it won’t be seen. I made sure to press my cuffs to get a professional finish.
This dress shirt turned out perfectly! How would you style this piece? Let me know in the comments below!
I recently created a pair of fringe earrings that have become one of my favorite summer accessories....
Not just here for the sewing. Also here for all the golden things. It's crazy how tastes change -...
One of the things I have a hard time resisting is buying beautiful vintage trims. I know you can buy...
I really love wearing a Santa hat on Christmas, but it’s sometimes a little hard to find a nice one...
It’s always a little intimidating to start thinking of how I’m going to go after my own challenge,...
I saw these pants online and knew I had to have them. But, instead of buying them for more than...
So, I read somewhere that January was denim month, I don't know if it's true or not but I playing...
This post documents, as Tim Gunn would say, my 'make it work' moment with the new sashamccalls...
It is challenging to find a skirt for my daughter because if I go with the age on the tag most...
This tutorial is so exciting because it features a DIY I have wanted to do for ages! I took men’s...
Everyone has at a pair of jeans (or several) and eventually they wear out.If you’ve chanced on this...
It all started out as a side project for cosplaying Astrid (see Halloween sewing), and now these DIY...
I am styling the linen picnic jumpsuit from Everlane. You can shop it here. I went up a size in the...
Sometimes you just want to change up your wardrobe for a new season, and that’s exactly what I did....
Many people get nervous about wearing prints that clash, but I’m here to show you that it’s not as...
We might be in the middle of summer, but you know how it is… It’s better to be prepared! I’ve been...
Instead of spending $75 on a lace-up jacket from ZARA, I decided to make my own DIY lace-up denim...
In this guide I will show you how I upcycled an old pair of leather boots into a handbag.This pair...
Everybody loves pockets! Learn how to add inseam pockets to your skirts and dresses! This small...
Could there be a more glorious combination than overalls and sweatpants? Perhaps only if the pieces...
Do you remember the Refashioners 2017 Suits You challenge? That’s how long ago I started this...
I picked up this gorgeous floral satin fabric from a thrift store a few months back and have been...
The weather has been so drab recently with rain and cold grey skies trying to dampen our moods, this...
I am the biggest girly girl and I absolutely adore tulle skirts. My closet is full of them! I really...
In today’s blogpost I’ll be taking you through, step-by-step, on the construction of my most recent...
It is no secret I am a little obsessed with two things right now, firstly anything leopard print...
My favorite thing about items in my closet, is being able to wear them more than once. When I say...
Do you find your knit hems are difficult to sew? Ever struggled with wavy seams, curling edges, or...
I love a good trip to the op-shop! I was there the other day and I came across two, mustard...
Today I am sharing with you this great coffee sleeve upcycle. With the amount of coffee I drink, the...
I was making a DIY out of old Christmas ball ornaments the other day and as I was ripping off the...
I had an idea for a dress that I wanted to sew but it wasn't until I got stuck into the project that...
The weather in northern California can be unpredictable with wild swings from morning to night, so I...
This DIY Dress Tutorial was originally created for Craftables.I’m so excited to share how you can...
Are you nervous about stepping into the wonderful world of overalls? Scared they’re going to look...
Mending and up-cycling used clothing are not only part of a greener, more sustainable lifestyle,...
Ever wondered how you could recycle your old accessories? Well, today I am going to walk you through...
I love making versatile clothing that I know will become essential pieces in my wardrobe. This DIY...
Join the conversation
That looks really neat. Good suggestions and clear directions.
Cute shirt...I love polka dots. I have a shirt I bought a few years ago and I love the print but after losing 40#, it is too big but I don't want to get rid of it. I will have to try this so I can wear it again. Thanks for sharing.