pre shrunk shirts
right. they always say they are preshrunk until you wash them and then they shrink. in weird ways. not because you weren't careful, but because they weren't really preshrunk. you can always tell too. the shirt fits perfect, or it has a strange sizing, or they say they are and you can't believe what the tag says. [insert women's sizing and the obsession you all have with that stinkin' number]. I really don't care as long as it fits. of course I'd prefer to have the smallest number, but that isn't reality.
so here was my hubby's pre shrunk shirt, that could fit me except it didn't shrink in all the right places, so it looked really weird. it also had the inability to fit right over a long sleeve shirt that just made me look even weirder. so here's the crazy idea. I have a few of these. something so crazy, but logical that in theory it should totally work, but I've never done it, so it's really a crap shoot.
the idea. fix the shirt so I could wear it, add a little lady shaping and then put it all back together so it 1) fits and 2) looks like it should be that way.
equipment - overlock/serger machine, black thread, a shirt that fits how you want it to and some know how in general clothing construction.
1. remove the sleeves. yes cut them off the shirt. set them aside, you will need to sew them back on at the end
2. take your shirt that fits you well and with BOTH shirts wrong side out lay the good shirt on top of the other. we will be making a template onto the old shirt from the good shirt.
3. smooth out the wrinkles and determine how much you need to cut. this is the most important step, since you can't undo what you cut off. the old adage "measure twice, cut once" applies like you would not believe!
4. make your cuts INCLUDING A SEAM ALLOWANCE for sewing. then sew your seams.
5. I double checked to be sure the fit was right before I sewed the sleeves back on. this was a hilarious image of me in a muscle shirt. sorry no pictures to share for your laughing pleasure.
6. measure your sleeves against your good shirt. in my case, I didn't have enough fabric to replicate the good shirt, so I opted for another crew that fit well and had sleeves that fit too and measured from there.
7. make any additional cuts or measures that you need and sew the sleeves to the new shirt. you will need to turn your sleeves right side out and slip them into the shirt with right sides together and then sew the underarm seam.
8. last try on and you're done. take one final look and determine if your shirt fits the way you want it to. make any adjustments as necessary. in my case, my serger was on the fritz and didn't want to play well with me, so it took a while to get mine right with a good seam and then try on.
two views of the same shirt. mind you this shirt was a size large men's and it didn't fit anyway. the end result gave me a shirt that had women's shaping, tighter underarm and shoulders at my shoulder line and shorter sleeves.
I am really pleased with the results and I plan to wear it out. especially since it has an extra life just waiting for me.
 |
| remnants of a shirt gone bye bye |
 |
| there was very little remaining that didn't get tested on since my machine went on the fritz just as I was starting the sleeves |
so here was my hubby's pre shrunk shirt, that could fit me except it didn't shrink in all the right places, so it looked really weird. it also had the inability to fit right over a long sleeve shirt that just made me look even weirder. so here's the crazy idea. I have a few of these. something so crazy, but logical that in theory it should totally work, but I've never done it, so it's really a crap shoot.
the idea. fix the shirt so I could wear it, add a little lady shaping and then put it all back together so it 1) fits and 2) looks like it should be that way.
equipment - overlock/serger machine, black thread, a shirt that fits how you want it to and some know how in general clothing construction.
 |
| I had two shirts I needed to test from, since the sleeves of the one didn't quite match the fabric available |
1. remove the sleeves. yes cut them off the shirt. set them aside, you will need to sew them back on at the end
2. take your shirt that fits you well and with BOTH shirts wrong side out lay the good shirt on top of the other. we will be making a template onto the old shirt from the good shirt.
3. smooth out the wrinkles and determine how much you need to cut. this is the most important step, since you can't undo what you cut off. the old adage "measure twice, cut once" applies like you would not believe!
4. make your cuts INCLUDING A SEAM ALLOWANCE for sewing. then sew your seams.
5. I double checked to be sure the fit was right before I sewed the sleeves back on. this was a hilarious image of me in a muscle shirt. sorry no pictures to share for your laughing pleasure.
6. measure your sleeves against your good shirt. in my case, I didn't have enough fabric to replicate the good shirt, so I opted for another crew that fit well and had sleeves that fit too and measured from there.
7. make any additional cuts or measures that you need and sew the sleeves to the new shirt. you will need to turn your sleeves right side out and slip them into the shirt with right sides together and then sew the underarm seam.
8. last try on and you're done. take one final look and determine if your shirt fits the way you want it to. make any adjustments as necessary. in my case, my serger was on the fritz and didn't want to play well with me, so it took a while to get mine right with a good seam and then try on.
two views of the same shirt. mind you this shirt was a size large men's and it didn't fit anyway. the end result gave me a shirt that had women's shaping, tighter underarm and shoulders at my shoulder line and shorter sleeves.
I am really pleased with the results and I plan to wear it out. especially since it has an extra life just waiting for me.
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