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How to ALTER tops to fit you! Resize oversized t-shirts to fitted, DIY sewing alteration thrift flip
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ธ.ค. 2020
- Welcome to Slew Living! I'm Esther and I sew stuff to support a slow lifestyle.
In this video I'll teach you how to turn an oversized knit top into a fitted one. You can use the same technique to resize any tops, t-shirts or sweaters, and learn the basics of altering clothes to fit your body.
This video is part of a thrift flip series where I turn old secondhand clothing into new styles, so check out the playlist if you’re interested.
1:05 Let's begin!
If you’re starting to learn about sustainable and ethical fashion and how to curate a more mindful closet, a great step is to learn how to flip old clothing and make it last longer. This way you can upcycle old clothing from your own wardrobe that you no longer wear, or buy secondhand garments from thrift stores and give them new life!
You might be surprised to learn that most carbon emissions emitted from the fashion supply chain are from the end user (us!), that come from caring for the garment - things like washing, drying and disposing of it at the end of it’s life. Prolonging the life of a garment therefore decreases the emissions required to create new garments, and also the disposal of it to landfill. In the words of Vivienne Westwood, ‘Buy less, choose well and make it last!’
Follow along for more inspo and BTS / slewliving
Music by Ikson / ikson
Track - To You
Let me know in the comments if you have suggestions for more mending tutorials or garments you’d like to sew from scratch!
I love the feeling after altering a garment it becomes much more meaningful and almost a favorite item in one’s closet. It doesn’t matter if it’s expensive or not.
Yes! This is definitely a wonderful aspect of mending and altering our own clothing :)
Thank you so so much for telling me what stitches you used!! Far too often people say “just sew it” but it’s hard to know what to use as a beginner
Mom used to do this for me after shopping for clothes. I was not the average size - a little tall, a little thin - and we would buy things that were long enough and she would then take them in for me. Or, if we got something that fit me width wise, she would let out the hem, if there was enough material there, or add a complimentary fabric to the bottom of the pants legs or sleeves. She also made beautiful garments that fit me perfectly, from cheerleading uniforms to Easter dresses to maternity dresses. Thanks, Mom! Unfortunately, I never learned to sew very well, but I can do something like this. Now I'm inspired to "edit" the tops I bring home that have too-big necklines, too-wide shoulders, or gaping waistlines. Thank you for a very clear and simple tutorial! So helpful!
A few moth holes may turn into many, if the parent moths are still in the textile. So first wash with Woolite in cool water. When dry, touch up the moth hole area with steam from an iron, taking care not to hold iron overlong over the area, so not to burn the fabric. Then store the clean, pressed garment in a polyethylene bag, ideally with cedar blocks (to repel moths) periodically refreshed with cedar oil.
Wow Julie it is very good idea. I did not know that. Thank you very much Julie
You gave this shirt a whole second life it wouldn't have otherwise had, especially with the holes. That's awesome, more people should be like that
Thanks for leaving such a lovely encouraging comment! I appreciate it :)
This is one of the best thrift flip videos I have watched. Your instructions were very clear. They were simple enough for a beginner sewist but not too over simplified for an experienced one.
Thank you for your lovely comment 😀
I always wanted to be a tailor but I never knew where to start. There's so many people that wear descent looking clothing & suits but poor fitting.
Start small and you'll build up your skills 👍 Hehe, yes fit is very important for good style I believe!
Do it !
Stitch the sleeve into the garment first. Then stitch the underarm seam closed from hemline to cuff all in one action.
Way easier.
Louise, Australia 🦘
Great tip, thanks!
This also makes it easier to to make fine adjustments to the depth of the sleeve to match the armscye.
One thing... I studied design: you never mark your garment inside out. The body slopes and changes, and can be different sizes on each side. When you mark and cut inside out its the wrong side... when you put it on correctly the right will be on the left, etc. You should try it on as you'd wear it. Mark with pins, baste. Then transfer the basting to the other side and sew. 💗
Ah that's true! Thanks for the tip
I love to see young people sewing!
This is perfect for me. Having breast cancer changed my shape so I buy oversized t-shirts and swim in the top. I have been sewing all my life but never knew this tip! Thank you so much for helping me. Now I have lots of work to do!!
All the best! ❤️
Instead of wearing oversized tops, try a bra amply padded, as with light foam forms.
This was strangely satisfying to watch. I don't even have a sewing machine 😂
Ha-ha!! “Overly confident when I do my alterations…” Girl - you have got some confidence to cut into a shirt like this…I love it!! I am a bit of a wild woman myself, when it comes to doing alterations… And I’ve usually been very lucky with my guessing technique for sizing. This kind of approach isn’t for everyone, certainly… But I love to see you tackling this project such gusto and zest. And it looks lovely on you, too! Well done, my dear!
Wow at last a bullet point description that's exactly whats needed to know without going all round the houses! Great I've subscribed 😊
When I was a younger all I wore was baggy long sleeves for like a cool girl fit lol but now I’m in my mid 20s and I want all my long sleeves more fitted and presentable I guess lol so I’m gonna do this to all my long sleeves ! Thank you. Can’t wait to see how it turns out.
Haha can relate! Hope they turn out great!
The best part abut your video compared to others is the before and after; thanks for going the extra mile.
This was clear, simple and easy to understand.
By far the BEST video explaining this process. 👁️🗨️👁️🗨️I have searched and searched. INCREDIBLE JOB!!!💅💙 THANK YOU!
Thanks for your lovely comment 😀
I love this video. I love how you don't drag it out and speed up the parts that are not necessary to see at normal speed. All smart and I'm am always fixing up clothing too. Thanks. You are simply delightful.
This is the video I've been looking for for soooo long! I can't wait to get started. Well I did it! I'm so happy with my shirt! Can't wait to do more.
What a difference. You made it look easy, you explained it well so anyone can do it
🤗❤️
Yeah, the sizing was probably not right, but you can tell it's a man's top because the buttons are on the right. Womens are on the left. It stems from the time when wealthy women did not dress themselves (😲 I know!) they had a lady's maid to help them! Since most people are right-handed, it was easier. Thinking of the long lines of buttons on Victorian dresses, I guess it makes sense! 🙂
Thanks for the origin of this current nuisance. Periodically I'll come across a garment with a "backwards" zipper and contort my wrist to get in and out of it. Usually they're so nice, if I wanted to switch the direction, it would destroy the piece, so I just wind up wearing them less often. Such a shame!
Ohhh thank you, I knew the buttons and zippers were opposite but never knew why
I bought my husband a nice shirt/hoodie combo which was in the women’s department at H&M. It looks great on him and he loves it. Nobody cares which side the buttons are on. 😊😊
Jokes on them, I'm a left handed woman 😎 (literally the only thing in the world that's easier for me to use and it was by accident lmao)
They say your never to Old to learn new things!!! Thank you soo much. Especially for the darning!
That’s awesome, great video and encouraging for anyone who wants to reuse older clothing.
This was a great tutorial. I’ve just been doing about the same thing to a dark gray top also. It gives a piece new life!
I just got a sewing machine to take in my big shirts, I lost weight and wanted to tailor my own shirts. I used to sew for work, but never owned my own, Singer yay! Thanks will be doing this soon!!!
Glad to hear you're getting back into sewing 🤗 All the best!
I've been sewing for years and I learned something from you today. You've more than earned a new sub. 🌼
Will try it!
You could have used wool scraps from the garment (where you cut off from the hem) to darn the holes!🌸
Great idea!
Terrific, concise and informative. Thank you.
You're welcome :)
Beautiful! I'm so excited to find my next treasure at a thrift store and give this a try. Thanks so much for the great video!
Bravo! Thanks for the video. I dislike the dropped shoulders and sleeves nowadays. I can't wait to try these techniques!
OMG!!!! THANK YOU!!! EVERYTHING WAS TO SIZE UP, maybe bc this is easier. But I'm appreciating this video bc it's EXACTLY WHAT NEEDED!! HALLELUJAH SIS!!!
Instructions start at 2:30
I know how to do all this but it popped up so I took a look how yo do it. Great job and instructions! As another said not mainy explain enough details for beginners. If Im taking in at sides too I open up side seam and the sleeve. Then sew sleeve to the top, then sew the underarm seam of sleeve and side seam all in one. I had a pattern to make a shirt for my brother in the 70s that had instructed that way so I do all my sleves like that unless I'm only replacing sleeves. Like I make lace ones for tshirts etc. Also for the bottom hem but not sure how it would work on this as you said made all in one, I cutt off bottom hem leaving a seam allowance and sew on right sides together, iron the seam up towards shirt then top stich the seam on the shirt side. I also use bottom seam to replace the neckline binding if I lower the neck and also adding lace to bottom hem to make longer. Just some ideas but as said your instructions were great!
Yes could definitely work that way! Great suggestions too, thanks!
I just found your channel and this is so perfect! I've been hoping to find a tutorials on how to alter my clothes! Thank you so much
Wow! I'm so impressed. Thank you for bringing new life to a sweater no one else would have given a second glance to. It looks so cute now!
love your relaxed method. It gives me confidence to try myself. I am petite and find myself altering often but have avoided knits. I will definitely go ahead with new projects!
Best of luck!
This is great, Ms Esther! I believe and have seen that the way too oversized, almost sloppy looking does one no favors! It is better looking by far to have these clothing articles more fitted! If one is overweight, for example, floppy tops can make a person look less neat, less tidy and actually makes one cooer even larger than what thy are trying too hide! The form fitting is slenderizing! Plus, for anyone, it looks better and well-fitting clothes can make you feel better, look better and feel better! Thank you so much for doing this tutorial! It is helpful for you to talk us through this- very well-spoken directions are extra nice! Too had breast cancer-no one offered me reconstruction, and it really does change everything! Thanks :)). ts
Well fitting clothing makes a world of difference agreed! Thankful that I could help you in your journey in a small way 🙂
I've always loved wearing my husband's t's. He recently passed away and I treasure these but they are huge. I'm thrifty and good with a needle but not a tailor. So found this video so helpful. Thank you
Exactly what I was looking for. So glad to discover your YT channel. Thanks for sharing.
My husband bought me a sewing machine for my birthday. I’ve had a sweatshirt that’s too big made of tshirt material. Followed this tutorial and it turned out great. Thank you!!
Excellent! I'm glad it turned out well :)
WOW I LOVE THE NEW LOOK FOR THE JUMPER
I do a lot of thrifting, and garage sales buys, and I also fix garments that I like and don’t fit me. Thank you I learned a little bit more about resizing a shirt. 👍🏽❤️
Great sustainable practices 👏 Thanks for leaving a comment 🙂
This was absolutely wonderful…thank you!! A friend darns holes by using embroidery floss. Of course it takes longer with a more delicate thread, but the results are excellent!
Excellent, thank you! I bought 2 beautiful patterned sweaters that I knew were oversized but when then they arrived they were massively huge, been wearing them but I want to resize to fit better. Now I know how thanks to you! ❤️ ….and thanks for the darning info too!
Maybe somebody else already mentioned this but you could’ve used a single ply of that wool yarn to mend your renewed sweater, then it wouldn’t have stood out so much. The fact that everything is a dark grey hides stuff pretty well I think 🙃
Nevertheless I’m a sewing noob and really appreciated your tutorial! It was nice that you explained the stitches as well, it’s hard to know what to use for knits and stuff 💌
Oh that's a great point! I will keep that in mind for future mends, thanks 😊
If a wool garment feels like it just can't be remade into clothing, I've taken wool clothing and felted it for stuffed animals. It's easy to cut around holes and issues for pattern pieces.
I have two jumpers to adjust , and I’ll follow your video, God help me
You can do it!
Thank you for making the video. I’ve been trying to figure out how to resize large clothes to fit me, since people don’t need it And just give it away, I want to make them fit me.
One of the best things I love about you is your adorable accent!!!! Love, Love, love. So now, let me look at your video.
You're a good teacher--thanks for explaining and demonstrating so clearly how to do this.
Thanks for your kind comment 🥰
thanks for a no nonsense video! To the point and well presented. I’m going to try this
Just got a few tops from my dad the other day and I just LOVE the patterns on them (green with very well-matched vertical purple stripes and a stripey red one). They have sewn in collars (which are adorable!) and I had NO idea how to make them fit me. The wool sweater part was a great resource, and now that I've gotten my measurements it'll (Hopefully!!) go well!
Happy altering!
Enjoyed the video. Many years ago as a teen, I trauma-ed myself with an alternation. I took my favorite shirt to alter and while I did have a few years sewing skills I messed it up and have never attempted it since. Other sewing yes, but not shirts. Now I will try again. And will offer that when darning I would have taken a length of yarn (abt 18") and separated out a couple of strands, as yarn is basically many strands twisted, to make a less bulky 'thread'. I do some fine darning myself with a darning egg.
I lost so much weight. I need to make my clothes a little smaller. Thank you for this video. Before, I don't know what to do with it but now I know where to start. ❤️😊👍
Thank you! Omg finally a video I can follow and I feel like I can do it 🤣❤️
Oh my goodness that was so great, the instruction on how to darn those little holes in the wool sweaters was super, because I hadn't done this since I was little and you make everything look so easy, I have to watch it again and try this out. Thanks from Cold Canada
I love your video, hope to see more of these. I am a pettite person and all the time find myself adjusting clothes to fit me, as I like to wear well fitted garments. I am not trained in tayloring, but managed to alter many of my clothes and make them look far better compared to their original shape. I sure will enjoy your video series.
This is a skill that I am excited to start learning, looks so useful and would save so much
Perfect! Thanks- I wanted to learn the darning also. Looked difficult until someone actually showed how 😊
Thanks for your comment! It takes a little practice but once you get the hang of it you can do it on just about anything! :)
Hi there!! I just started my sewing journey and I really want to thank you for making this and making it easy to follow!
Thanks so much for your lovely comment! All the best for your sewing journey :)
Great video. This came up on my feed and you have a new subscriber!
Great to see how to alter clothing being taught👍😊🙏🇦🇺
Thanks for sharing your way of taking in a big top to fit you. I have a cotton knit long sleeve top which seems to have grown a lot and I have lost weight so will be doing something similar but the neckline is too big so got to figure out how to make it smaller. Thinking of cutting it and serging all the raw edges first and measure myself and transfer onto the top and hopefully it will look ok.
Good idea! Best of luck
Thank you, I'm heading off to resize my shirt
Good luck!
You did so brilliantly. Thanks for the training.
Brilliant - Really clearly & simply explained.
Many thanks......all the way from London !
Nice work, that looks way more flattering! Why is it so hard to find fitted tops these days?!
So that is how you resize stuff! Need to learn how to do this.
I have to have most my shirts altered. I wish I had your skill-set. Very impressive!
This is so helpful, tha k you very much. I've had a significant weight loss and as I lose, there are many items which need altered in just this way!
Well done the result is lovely thank you for all the information✂️👕👏😉
You’re welcome 😊 Thank you for your lovely comment!
Best video ever! All the other videos make it seem like a daunting task but this looks so simple! I am enthusiastic to give it a try now. 😊
Thanks so much for your lovely comment! Let me know how you go! :)
@@SlewLivingalready altered 2 shirts, on to 3 :)
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH !! I have a few items that need to be made smaller after loosing lots of Weight and they've been hanging around for ages. In bed not very well so I thought I would view some sewing which I truly Love to make me a little happier. Came across this video and absolutely Love it. Can't wait to get at my Machines again to alter my best Clothes so I can Wear them again. THANK YOU FROM LITTLE OLD (but very beautiful) ENGLAND ! :)
I would love to visit England again and venture outside of London! Thanks for your lovely comment and happy sewing 🤗
Very impressive work. The sweater turned out great.
Thanks for the lovely comment ❤️
Great video thanks. I have some clothes that I'm either fixing or upcycling it. I'm a beginner so my sewing is basic right now. I have started to use old material from old clothes or scraps bought from charity shops to make use of them and repurpose them. I'm going to be making cushions, pin cushions and various small things and pin boards too. So I'm just starting out. I have fixed some of my fiancés clothes and mine. I bought a 50's style dress but it was from a website that sends you something that doesn't look exactly like the picture so I didn't know that. The material was really thin and see through and the hems were all falling apart and the neckline of the dress wasn't sewn together so it bowed when you lean forward so I have to see that and found a pretty bit of material to add there to make it look better. I bought a slip skirt to go underneath and will add more material so it's not see through. The skirt is the only see through bit but I have a lot to do to be able to wear it. It's pinned right now ready to sew it.
Hope it goes well! ❤️
It's absolutely amazing what u did with resizing the jumper.
But just one tip,on use 2 stands of the wool for thin jumper like than,and just go up with more strands the thicker the jumper.
Great tip, thank you!
That's great ! Definitely keeping that video somewhere for when I lose all the weight I want to lose. Maybe I won't have to use all my current tops as pajamas.
This is a great flip.
I'd add that before cutting you might mark up each part with tailor's chalk, starting with the left sleeve, right sleeve and the inside 'wrong' surface. This way you can keep track of where each piece is going.
Good tip!
You are talented and absolutely beautiful. Thank you for your video! 😊
Thank you for this tutorial. Thank you for this tutorial. Now I know what I can do with some of my late husband’s shirts.
Great job!! Thank you for the tutorial! 😊🩷
Thank you! 😊
This is a really good demo...finished product looks and fits really good...thank you.
For the holes I have seen where they used the scraps of the same material chopped up & glued with fabric glide back into the sweater & flattened between 2 books to set.
Wow...just wow! I am shaking my head at how easy you made this look, while still being impressed as all get out. I just finished reading Conscious Closet and have developed a whole new appreciation for thrifting / altering / reusing / redesigning clothing. I have lost just enough weight lately that a couple of my favourite tops are large enough to now be unflattering and want to take them in to fit better. I will definitely be seeking out more of your videos. You have a new subscriber!
Thanks so much for your lovely comment! I hope you achieve lots of successful alterations for your wardrobe ❤️
Great video with easy to follow directions. Thank you!
WoW! that was cool. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for leaving a comment :)
I'm using some old cushion filling and pillow filling for cushions and second hand material or new material too. Mainly second hand material though.
Fabulous tutorial! Thank you!
You're welcome :)
I didn’t know how to darn so thank you very much for the detailed description.
You're welcome 😊
You did an amazing job. 🌞
Thank you! 😊
I am short. I have this problem, and also with shirts which are too long.
I admire your lack of fear when you started cutting.
Thank you for this video! ❤I now know how to darn my son's wool socks 🎉! Also I can use the tips to alter my daughter's shirts ❤.
excellent job, and its such a nice sweater and now looks perfect on you. :)
Good job
Bonus @7:15 for how to darn! Thank you🤗
Very helpful instructions. I'll use a lot of what you taught in this video.
One must be blind for not to recognize the mending. I would have used the cut off garment to create an invisible mending.
thank you for this. Gave me the confidence to finally try it.
You're so welcome!
Love your tute! Simple - clear and a keeper. Thank you