How to ALTER tops to fit you! Resize oversized t-shirts to fitted, DIY sewing alteration thrift flip
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- čas přidán 27. 12. 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! - Jak na to + styl
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
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 😀
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!
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 !
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
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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
I've been sewing for years and I learned something from you today. You've more than earned a new sub. 🌼
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
WOW I LOVE THE NEW LOOK FOR THE JUMPER
Bravo! Thanks for the video. I dislike the dropped shoulders and sleeves nowadays. I can't wait to try these techniques!
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
You did so brilliantly. Thanks for the training.
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!!!
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
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!
Exactly what I was looking for. So glad to discover your YT channel. Thanks for sharing.
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
The best part abut your video compared to others is the before and after; thanks for going the extra mile.
thanks for a no nonsense video! To the point and well presented. I’m going to try this
Love your tute! Simple - clear and a keeper. Thank you
Brilliant, your thrift flip top looks fabulous and fits very well. Thanks for the demo 🐾🦋
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.
Great to see how to alter clothing being taught👍😊🙏🇦🇺
I love to see young people sewing!
I have to have most my shirts altered. I wish I had your skill-set. Very impressive!
You're a good teacher--thanks for explaining and demonstrating so clearly how to do this.
Thanks for your kind comment 🥰
Yessss!!! This is just what I was looking for. It looks amazing!
This is a skill that I am excited to start learning, looks so useful and would save so much
So that is how you resize stuff! Need to learn how to do this.
Brilliant - Really clearly & simply explained.
Many thanks......all the way from London !
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!
By far the BEST video explaining this process. 👁️🗨️👁️🗨️I have searched and searched. INCREDIBLE JOB!!!💅💙 THANK YOU!
Thanks for your lovely comment 😀
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.
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 ❤.
They say your never to Old to learn new things!!! Thank you soo much. Especially for the darning!
Very helpful instructions. I'll use a lot of what you taught in this video.
Very cute. Thanks for sharing!
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!
Thanks for your comment! All the best with your alterations :)
Loved the video....thank you, I will be watching more.
Great video with easy to follow directions. Thank you!
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. ❤️😊👍
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.
What a difference. You made it look easy, you explained it well so anyone can do it
🤗❤️
I have to do this to a few tops I have. Thank you!
Thank you! Truly inspired!
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 🙂
Thank you! Omg finally a video I can follow and I feel like I can do it 🤣❤️
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 :)
This was clear, simple and easy to understand.
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 ❤️
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 🤗
One of the best things I love about you is your adorable accent!!!! Love, Love, love. So now, let me look at your video.
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!
Excellent! You inspired me!❤❤❤
Very nice!!! Super well explained!!!
Looks great! Thank you for sharing
thank you for this. Gave me the confidence to finally try it.
You're so welcome!
Great video. This came up on my feed and you have a new subscriber!
This was brilliant! Thank you
Thanks for teaching us 😊
Loved this, thanks so much!
I didn’t know how to darn so thank you very much for the detailed description.
You're welcome 😊
You are talented and absolutely beautiful. Thank you for your video! 😊
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!
Great fit! Great job!
You are very talented!!
Awesome job!
Brilliant! Thank you!
excellent job, and its such a nice sweater and now looks perfect on you. :)
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
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 :)
Ha...u make it look so easy!!! Great job!!!
Thank you thank you THANK YOU! I have always wanted to know how to fix lil holes in my clothes from pulled thread or snags or whatever. And you showed me how to do it! Just need the mushroom thing
Glad it was helpful! I've heard you can use an orange or a tennis ball if you don't have the mushroom 🙂
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! :)
Fantastic information!
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!
Well done the result is lovely thank you for all the information✂️👕👏😉
You’re welcome 😊 Thank you for your lovely comment!
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 :)
Terrific, concise and informative. Thank you.
You're welcome :)
This is a really good demo...finished product looks and fits really good...thank you.
Nice work, that looks way more flattering! Why is it so hard to find fitted tops these days?!
Fantastic ❤
Fabulous tutorial! Thank you!
You're welcome :)
Very impressive work. The sweater turned out great.
Thanks for the lovely comment ❤️
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. 😊😊
Awesome video! Thanks so much for sharing your expertise. I've wanted to learn how to do this for ages now. So happy I found you and I'm definitely subscribing :)
Thanks for your lovely comment 😀
Great skill ❤
Omgggg thank youuuu you're the best!!