Easy-peasy: take in a knit
Did a simple knit alteration project the other day that I thought I'd share. This striped tee from Forever 21 was too big in the waist and sides, and rather than live with it (it was seriously unflattering!) I took it in.
Sewing on knits can seem daunting, but it's a seriously good thing to be able to do. Check out the tutorial I did a while back on taking in a sweater, and my Sewing Circle post about sewing on knits. What I did to this tee is basically a combo of those two posts!
Here's the before...
Here's the after: inside: (note the looong zigzag stitch I used to let it stretch! This tee has some spandex in it and really needs to have that give)
Here's the after: on!
It's a subtle difference, but oh, how important!
Just this morning I tossed out a tee that I had tried to alter because it was too big but didn't really work out! I'll have to dig it out and try this. It was one of those situations where the medium fit perfectly, so I grabbed a large instead because I thought it would shrink and it didn't. Not one single bit. Of course you know if I had bought the medium it would have come out of the dryer the size of a postage stamp. Anyway I tried putting some gathered ruching on the sides to make it look more fitted but... it was gross. Thanks for the tips!
ReplyDeleteThat could work, too, with elastic thread and a nice pattern of rows... but generally, this kind of fix is easier! Def worth a try!
DeleteSo you just leave the long seam in the sweater/tee? Doesn't it bother you?
ReplyDeleteYou mean the side seams? Good question. If I take out a LOT, I will cut down the seam allowance to closer to 5/8", and if I have access to a serger I'll serge the edges. Then some good pressing keeps it flat and easy to wear!
DeleteEasy fo' sho'!
ReplyDeleteAfter losing some weight, I have some great T's that need this done AND in the shoulder. Wondering what you think about my cutting the side seam from sleeve hem to bodice hem, then taking in that shoulder seam, them taking in the side/sleeves.
Thoughts? mrskjdibble@Juno.com
I guess I could try it on one of the twelve I'm about to give away. What do I have to lose?
Definitely, give it a shot! What I've done before like on Hanes tees is, cut the arm out of the arm's eye, take in the side seam of the body, take in the sleeve seam (the same amount at the armpit, a little less toward the sleeve hem), and if it's a big switch, then and cut the width of the shoulder a little narrower. Then reassemble!
DeleteI would SEW before CUTTING though! Just in case. Then you can cut or serge off the excess seam allowances.
These tutorials are so great! Especially for me, because I'm very petite! Even the most petite clothing is a little frumpy at times.
ReplyDeleteGreat! Yes, it's sad how boxy some clothes are... here's a more thorough tutorial on taking in sweaters and knits! http://www.adventuresindressmaking.com/2010/10/tutorial-how-to-take-in-sweater.html
DeleteThis is interesting! I have a dress made from a knit that I spent a bunch of money on - when I was a size 24. Now I'm a 16, and I'm thinking of taking it apart, refitting it on my dress form, and then reassembling it so I can wear it again.
ReplyDeleteWow, yeah, that would be great! You definitely have the right idea taking it apart; necessary for such a big change in size. You will have to watch the widths of the center front and center back, though; the neckline and shoulder width could be too wide. You might want to add some center front pleats or a seam, even! Congrats on the weight loss and good luck!
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