Oversized to Just Right!

Okay this project was a bit of a learning experience. While I have been sewing for close to 15 years, I have just recently started to re-fashion/tailor clothes so I’ll show you what I did and then tell you what I will do differently next time.

 

I started with an oversized men’s sweater that I bought at a thrift store. My first step was to try it on and decide how much I needed to take it in. I placed 1 pin under each arm and 1 or 2 on each side, securing it to fit how I would like. Then I (carefully) took the sweater off.

I measured from the original seam to where I had pinned it and averaged it out… i.e. one side seam to the pin measured 3.25” and the other side was 2.75, so it averaged out to 3” …So as I said, I needed to take in the sides 3” and the arms only needed to come in 2” I took the pins out and turned the sweater inside out. Using a marking pencil and ruler I drew a line 3” in from the original seam from the bottom to just past the arm pit area. Then I marked the arm in 2” from the cuff to the arm pit curving it slightly at the end to match up with the mark along the side seam. Stich along your markings, back stitching at the beginning and end of seam. Trim 1/4” away from stitching. Repeat on other side.

I turned it right side out and tried it on. It fit great through the body but the shoulder seam was a couple of inches below the top of my shoulder, as you can see in the pic. I knew I needed to address this. Next time I will start here and then take it in, but live and learn.

Do to so, I cut along the original sleeve seam then made another cut 2” in (closer to the collar)

With right sides together pin, making sure the match under arm seams and the top of the sleeve with top of the shoulder . Stitch with a 1/4” seam allowance starting under the arm. Don’t forget to backstitch at the beginning and end of you seam!

Turn right side out and Waa-LAA! Please let me know if any thing is unclear or if you have any questions. This is my very first tutorial and it was harder then I thought it would be, but I survived to post another day!