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How to Make It Fit from Feather’s Flights

December 22, 2014 by AllFreeSewing 38 Comments

Congratulations to Stephanie Wilt for winning our last #CustomFit Blog Post! We’re continuing our #CustomFit series with a guest blog post from one of our favorite designers and sewists, Heather from Feather’s Flight. She is enormously talented and is going through how she altered an existing shirt to fit her body type.

Hey! I’m Heather from Feather’s Flights where I blog about sewing for my kids and for myself. I just love sewing.
This summer I found a really cute chambray shirt for $1 at a yard sale. I didn’t try it on and just assumed it would fit me. It did fit, but it fit weird. The neckline was too high or too closed or something. And the sleeve hems were too tight. I was sad that it didn’t fit, but I decided to add some fabric to the shoulders and sleeves. I added a cute pink lace fabric to give it a fun detail.
heather-post-1

1. Decide where you’re going to cut the shirt. Measure the length and add hem allowance. Decide on the width you want and add seam allowance.

2. Cut out the panels of fabric. Hem the short ends of the fabric.

3. Sew the panels into the shirt.

4. Finish the edges.

5. Tack the seam allowances down at the edges.

Tips for success

-Use similar weights of fabric. If using knit make sure the stretch of the shirt and the stretch of the panel is the same.

-Make sure you hem the fabric before sewing it in, so there’s a finished edge on the panel.

heather-post-2

Here are some other ideas for letting clothes out. Add fabric to the center front and center back. If you don’t want to change the details on the front neckline, add fabric to the shoulders, sleeves, and sides of the shirt. Another simple idea is to just add fabric to the sides and under sides of the sleeve. There’s a great tutorial adding fabric to the side of a shirt.

heather-post-3

Thank you, Heather! We love this creative way of expanding a top to fit, especially after going over pattern grading. Make sure to check out Heather’s inspiring blog, Feather’s Flights for more ideas!

What would our #CustomFit series be without a little prize? To enter to win a copy of the very popular, Sewing Vintage Modern from BurdaStyle please leave a comment telling us,

What is better, making a piece of clothing from scratch or refashioning an existing one?

Sewing Vintage ModernOFFICIAL RULES FOR DAILY CONTEST:
There is a maximum of one entry per person. The entry will be based upon a comment left on this blog post. Duplicate comments will be deleted and are not tallied.
Winner will be selected at random from the comments on this blog post.
Winner will be announced here on the blog December 29 as well as contacted by the email address provided.
#CustomFitYou have until December 25th, 2014 at 11:59p EST to leave your comment on the project above. Comments posted after that will not be counted.
Contest open to anyone 18+ in US and/or Canada.

#CustomFit Forecast: The next topic of conversation will be…. December 26th!

 

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AllFreeSewing
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AllFreeSewing is the ultimate resource for quick and easy sewing patterns, tutorials, and charts. You'll find dress and bag patterns, alteration guides, even instructions to help you with that pesky sewing machine. The best part? It's all absolutely free. Come and join our community!
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Comments

  1. Carole @ From My Carolina Home says

    December 22, 2014 at 10:57 pm

    I like to do both, refashion when the garment is just too good to give away, and make from scratch when I cannot find what I want. The best refashion is taking it in because it is too big!

    Reply
  2. Diana Napier says

    December 23, 2014 at 11:53 am

    I like to have fun with both. Of course I love to buy fabric so making clothing from scratch is a great challenge.

    Reply
  3. Sharon Kaminski says

    December 23, 2014 at 3:54 pm

    Being the green freak that I am, I would have to say remaking an existing outfit.

    Reply
  4. Suzanne Lefever says

    December 23, 2014 at 6:10 pm

    Are you tired of buying a set (top & bottom) that never fit correctly? In my case, the top is a perfect fit and the pants (or skirt) are way, too big. If I buy the set to for the pants or skirt to fit, then the top is too small. Maybe your problem is reversed and the top fits perfect but the skirt/pant is too small. What a great way to fix the problem with the ideas here. Thanks so much.

    Reply
    • Alysha says

      January 23, 2015 at 2:16 pm

      This could be solved by switching the sizes of one of the pieces before buying…. 😀 (if pieces aren’t physically attached by a tag or etc..) I have to do this a lot because I’m a pear… Size 4 on top, size 8-10 on bottom. :B… I always ask a worker before-hand though and it’s usually OK. You could be sneaky about it if you’re brave though, but I’m not so I politely ask first. c:

      Reply
  5. Joanne Roberts says

    December 23, 2014 at 6:12 pm

    I like to tweek an existing piece of clothing. Even the simplest changes can create a whole new look

    Reply
  6. Susan Case says

    December 23, 2014 at 7:00 pm

    Both are rewarding; taking a garment and making it to suit you often makes you feel as good as getting a totally new garment. I like to make new garments because from the beginning I am in charge of what the finished product will look like. But, I also like being creative with an older garment and making it into something I can continue to use but in a new way.

    Reply
  7. Auntiepatch says

    December 23, 2014 at 7:11 pm

    I hate ripping so I like to do my own from start to finish.

    Reply
  8. Paula Rothman says

    December 23, 2014 at 8:06 pm

    Simply creating works of expression that radiate who I am: however it happens, I’m enthralled.

    Reply
  9. Debbie eldridge says

    December 24, 2014 at 1:54 am

    I prefer to make from scratch. But have made things from ready made. It is fun to redo something and it look totally different. But for me that usually takes a lot more time than starting from the beginning!

    Reply
  10. LadyD says

    December 24, 2014 at 2:45 am

    I prefer to make my clothing from scratch, because refashioning existing clothing takes a lot of effort and thought.

    Reply
  11. Marie says

    December 24, 2014 at 2:48 am

    Making a piece of clothing from scratch with my own modifications. I like to incorporate pieces of vintage clothing into a new garment for that special feel. It adds more!

    Reply
  12. Velma Lewis says

    December 24, 2014 at 3:03 am

    I like to do both refashion and make it from scratch, I like to design with my flavor from scratch and then put my spin on it to refashion it to my liking.

    Reply
  13. Marlene says

    December 24, 2014 at 12:56 pm

    I love to sew but since I’m not that good at it I almost always refashion.

    Reply
  14. Joice says

    December 24, 2014 at 1:33 pm

    Well, although I consider myself a lover of all things retro, I have to say that there are some styles from the past that should always remain “in the past.” There’s also that fine line between creating something nice to wear, and ending up with something that screams “homemade.” I like to wear something I created with my own hands and with fabric I have chosen, but is not too obviously sewn by me. I love the old peasant dress / blouse style and I love denim or chambray, so attempting to refashion something out of either would pique my interest. I don’t think I really answered your question, but perhaps I provided some food for thought…

    Reply
  15. Linda Behret says

    December 24, 2014 at 3:49 pm

    Which I prefer depends on a few things–if I find something I like at a thrift shop that doesn’t quite fit; if I find a fabric I like a lot and want to make it into something to wear, etc. I am fortunately able to do both.

    Reply
  16. beth says

    December 24, 2014 at 8:25 pm

    refashioning something because im impatient and its easier

    Reply
  17. Daniel M says

    December 24, 2014 at 8:46 pm

    refashioning something would probably be easier

    Reply
  18. Stacy T. says

    December 24, 2014 at 10:06 pm

    I love the style and fabrics of vintage fashions, so I would say refashioning a garment.

    Reply
  19. Kelley Roach says

    December 25, 2014 at 12:02 am

    I like to tweek an existing piece of clothing. maybe add some buttons or something

    Reply
  20. paige canfield says

    December 25, 2014 at 5:20 am

    Refashioning for sure! I can buy at the thrift store and make about anything fit..I love your tips!!

    Reply
  21. desiree grubbs says

    December 25, 2014 at 7:02 am

    I prefer refashioning

    Reply
  22. danielle Marie says

    December 25, 2014 at 10:25 am

    i have never ripped anything apart to make something new. i like creating something from scratch that has a vintage feel to it.

    Reply
  23. Kim Keithline says

    December 25, 2014 at 11:22 am

    It depends on the piece of clothing I would say

    Reply
  24. Mary says

    December 25, 2014 at 3:50 pm

    I’ve never done anything more than minor alterations, but now I’m inspired. This is adorable, and a great way to really personalize a thrift store find.

    Reply
  25. Elaine Bray says

    December 25, 2014 at 6:09 pm

    I like to refashion clothing found at thrift shops because I can use high quality fabric that I could not afford to purchase new.

    Reply
  26. Angela Amenta says

    December 25, 2014 at 8:09 pm

    Refashioning a garment.. love the challenge.

    Reply
  27. Susan O'Bryant says

    December 26, 2014 at 12:09 am

    I like doing both, but there is something extra-satisfying about upgrading a piece of existing clothing by making it fit or just making it better!

    Reply
  28. Julie Hawkins says

    December 26, 2014 at 1:50 am

    Definitely refashioning an outfit, I think

    Reply
  29. Leela says

    December 26, 2014 at 3:16 am

    Making one from scratch.

    Reply
  30. Buddy Garrett says

    December 26, 2014 at 4:02 am

    My wife likes making clothes from scratch.

    Reply
  31. Karen Hogan says

    December 26, 2014 at 4:31 am

    If I can remake my clothes to look new, well I get a whole new wardrobe. Older fabrics seem so much sturdier.

    Reply
  32. denise a says

    December 26, 2014 at 4:50 am

    I love to refashion old pieces of clothing and even old furniture. Makes things a lot more interesting

    Reply
  33. Marjorie Lipsey says

    December 26, 2014 at 10:33 am

    I much prefer making things from scratch. Most of my sewing is for people who cannot buy things that fit properly because they do not have a standard body shape. For example straight hips or a very large bust line.

    Reply
  34. Priscila Junqueira says

    January 2, 2015 at 9:17 am

    I loved the idea!

    Reply
  35. Elizabeth says

    February 4, 2015 at 2:31 pm

    I go where the good fabric is. If there’s interesting fabric to be found in an existing garment, refashioning is the order of the day. If I find beautiful yardage of something, I’m just as glad to make something fro the ground up.

    Reply
  36. Nancy says

    March 19, 2015 at 5:20 pm

    I love being able to refashioning something I really like that just doesn’t fit right. Or even to update a look that’s dated to a new style. But I don’t intentionally seek older clothes to rework. I do enjoy making new from a new pattern, too.

    I have to agree with Joice about some past styles staying in the past. I think as one gets older, wearing “retro” just looks like you grabbed something from the back of the closet. In 70’s when I was in my 20’s and the rage was hip-huggers with bell-bottoms, we Twiggy types could wear an occasional man-trouser with a high waist, wide straight-legs, cuffs, and front pleats, a la 40’s and 50’s, and it was sooo cute; but if someone much older wore the same thing at that same time, she’d just look frumpy. So today, if I refashion, it’s a new piece or a classic style that needs the fit adjusted. But I don’t refashion anything called retro. Many a peasant blouse would be timeless and worth the effort; whereas, a paisley-printed, polyester blouse with a long pointy collar would not.

    Reply
  37. Leslie Coduti says

    November 24, 2015 at 7:18 pm

    I love resale shops and when I find something that is just too cute it may not be in my size. Just recently it was a knit top. I needed more room, so knowing sleeves are not eased under the arms, I did some color blocking, adding a strip down the sleeves and down the body. This not only made it fit, but made the top even cuter. All for $2.00

    Reply

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