How To Fix A Shirt That Is Too Big Without Sewing

Wearing a shirt that’s too big around the waist and edges can be uncomfortable. In addition, a loose or oversized shirt can take away the charm and elegance of your overall outlook. Whether you have an interview or party, wearing an oversized shirt can snatch away your impression.

Are you worried about the same issue? Do you want to fix your shirt that is too big without sewing? Well, this article is best for your solution. You can easily follow a few steps and get a perfect fit altered shirt.

You won’t have to worry about not knowing how to sew. You can use some equipment and get the best outlook on your shirts. So, wave adios to your baggy or loose shirts, and make them fit for your shape all by yourself. Moreover, you will save some money and time from your tailor visit.

So, grab your equipment, fill your vessel of knowledge and start with the alteration procedure.

How To Fix A Shirt That Is Too Big Without Sewing?

If you have a shapeless shirt with loose edges, you can fix them right away in the comfort of your home. Whether you had a weight loss or received the shirt as a gift, you can change its fitting by yourself.

You have to collect all the necessary equipment and learn every step to fix your oversized shirt precisely. So, if you want to learn how to improve your big shirt without paying for alterations, follow this article.

Equipment Needed To Fix Your Oversized Shirt

Oversized Shirt

To avoid any trouble in between the alteration procedure, you can gather all the essential pieces of equipment beforehand. So, check for this equipment for an efficient alteration of your shirt without sewing.

Scissor

You will need a sharp-edged scissor to cut down the excess fabric in your shirt. Of course, you can also use a seam ripper, but a scissor can do the job efficiently.

Pencil Or Chalk

If you’re altering a light-colored shirt, you can use a pencil to mark the lines where you want tapering. In contrast, for dark-colored shirts, you can use chalk to mark the lines.

Needle And Thread

You will need a sewing needle for hand stitching. You will also need a thread whose color matches the shirt’s fabric.

Oversized Shirts

Ruler

A ruler will be needed to join the mark lines precisely and efficiently.

Hem Tape

If you want to alter your shirt even without a sewing needle, you can use hem tape. These tapes are available in various stationery shops.

Iron

You can also use an iron to finish the edges of the shirt and adjust the hem tape.

There are a few methods and ways to fix your oversized shirt efficiently and effectively. In addition, here are a few ways that can help you to save your money and do alterations by yourself.

Method 1: Fixing Your Shirt With Thread And Needle

Thread And Needle

You have to use a thread, needle, ruler, pencil, and pins. But, with all the equipment by your side, you can start altering your shirt by this method. So, follow these easy-to-understand steps and get your tapered fit shirt at home.

Step 1: Put The Shirt Inside Out

You have to wear your shirt inside out. This will help you to mark the lines, cut the seams, and hand stitch the fabric quickly and efficiently.

Step 2: Pinch The Amount Of Excess Fabric

Then, you have to pinch the area of the fabric that you want to remove. You can use your mere fingers to pinch them while marking.

Step 3: Use A Pencil Or Chalk To Mark Off The Area

In this step, you have to mark a line along the pinched area. However, you cannot remove your hands while marking the line. Instead, you can use a pencil or chalk to draw the lines.

Step 4: Avoid Tapering Too Close To The Body

In this step, you have to perform nothing. This is a precautionary step, where you must avoid tapering the shirt too close to the body. In addition, you must add some seam allowance so that the shirt doesn’t get too tight to wear.

Step 5: Remove The Shirt And Connect The Markings

Now, remove the shirt from your body and keep it on an even flat surface. Then, take a ruler and a pencil or chalk to connect the marled lines properly. In addition, you can use pins for thick fabric.

Step 6: Thread Your Needle

Thread And Needles

In this step, you have to thread your needle. Take a thread whose color matches the color of your fabric. You can either use a needle threader or thread the needle all by yourself patiently.

Step 7: Hand Stitch Along The Marked Lines

Now, you have to hand-stitch the fabric along the marked lines on both sides. In addition, ensure to stitch 2cm wide for strong and durable impact. Wide stitches are less durable, so try to avoid that.

You can start from the bottom to the sleeves for the perfect fit of your shirt.

Step 8: Cut Off The Excess Fabric

Lastly, you have to cut off the excess fabric at the edges. Finish these raw edges, and your shirt is ready to fit.

Method 2: Fixing Your Shirt With Hem Tape

Fixing Your Shirt

If you have a quick and urgent need, you can fix your shirt that’s too big with a simple hem tape. Well, it may not be a permanent solution, but it serves your immediate purpose. Here’s how to use this method.

Step 1:

You have to wear the shirt inside out and pinch the area where you want to taper them. You have to wear the shirt inside out for better adjustments of the seam, cutting of edges, and adding the new seam.

Step 2:

Then you can use your hands to pinch out the area which you want to remove from your shirt. However, you must ensure that there’s some slack left behind so that shirt doesn’t become over-tight.

Step 3:

Then, draw a line along the pinched area with the help of a pencil or chalk. If you’re altering a light-colored shirt, then you can use a pencil to make visible lines along the pinched area. For dark-colored shirts, you can use chalk to make the pinched area.

Step 4:

Further, you have to remove the shirt and pin those marked areas for hemming. You can use any regular pins, such as the ball pins, for pinning the marked areas. Make sure that you pin the fabric along the marked line vertically.

Step 5:

Now, you can cut the excess fabric and add seam allowance and hem allowance. You can add a seam allowance for about half an inch to get the best results. Also, ensure to cut the excess fabric precisely with no unravel threads.

Step 6:

Then, fold the fabric along the hemline and use hem tape to join the fabric without stitches. You can use double-sided adhesive tape to join the two layers of fabric of the short along the pinned and folded area of the shirt.

Step 7:

Finally, you have to iron the edges for a perfectly finished shirt. You can use your iron with a moderate heat setting and firm pressure to get the desired results.

Tips To Make Your Shirt Fit Better

With all the new innovative styles and fashion with shirts, you cannot stay behind. But, with a few tips and tricks, you can make your clothes, especially shirts, fit better. So, follow these few tips to make your clothes fit better.

1. Using Layers Of Fabric

If your shirt is oversized or baggy, you won’t have to worry about the fit. Instead, you can use the simple trick of wearing multiple layers of fabric beneath the shirt. Yes, you’ve read it correctly. Moreover, adding a few more layers of fabric will protect you from the cold and give the best fit to your outlook.

2. Tucking Your Shirts

At times, you may encounter an immediate situation where you’ll need a tight-fit shirt. For instance, you can tuck in your shirt and pinch in most of the baggy fabric on the back. This way, you can look stylish upfront as you won’t be noticed much behind the back.

3. Trying Before Buying

This is the most common tip which you should follow. You must check if the shirt fits you before buying them. You can visit stores that offer trial room facilities. Every brand is not sized perfectly with their shirts, so try them all and choose the one with the best fit.

How Can You Shorten The Sleeves Of Your Shirt?

You have to put the shirt on and mark the spot where you want to alter the sleeves. Then, measure about one inch down and mark the sleeve yet again.

Next, you have to fold your shirt in half and pin it at the seams of the shoulder. This will help the seams to lay on top of each other. Finally, turn the sleeve and start hemming.

How Can You Fix Loose Armholes In Your Fabric?

Firstly, you can add a dart from the apex of the shirt by pinching the fold on the wrong side of the fabric. Then, you can sew the fold and get done with the fixing.

Secondly, you can add a binding into the armhole by easing away the extra fabric.

Jessica

Jessica

I'm Jessica Flores, a professional fashion designer and an expert seamstress. Crafting has always been a deep-seated passion of mine, one that has flourished and evolved over the years. I've dedicated considerable time to both studying and practicing in the realm of fashion and sewing, amassing a wealth of experience and skills. It brings me great joy to share these insights and experiences with you all, hoping to inspire and foster a similar passion for the art of sewing.

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