Hey! I’m Heather from Feather’s Flights where I blog about sewing for my kids and for myself. I just love sewing.
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.
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.
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!
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What is better, making a piece of clothing from scratch or refashioning an existing one?
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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!
I like to have fun with both. Of course I love to buy fabric so making clothing from scratch is a great challenge.
Being the green freak that I am, I would have to say remaking an existing outfit.
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.
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:
I like to tweek an existing piece of clothing. Even the simplest changes can create a whole new look
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.
I hate ripping so I like to do my own from start to finish.
Simply creating works of expression that radiate who I am: however it happens, I’m enthralled.
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!
I prefer to make my clothing from scratch, because refashioning existing clothing takes a lot of effort and thought.
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!
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.
I love to sew but since I’m not that good at it I almost always refashion.
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…
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.
refashioning something because im impatient and its easier
refashioning something would probably be easier
I love the style and fabrics of vintage fashions, so I would say refashioning a garment.
I like to tweek an existing piece of clothing. maybe add some buttons or something
Refashioning for sure! I can buy at the thrift store and make about anything fit..I love your tips!!
I prefer refashioning
i have never ripped anything apart to make something new. i like creating something from scratch that has a vintage feel to it.
It depends on the piece of clothing I would say
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.
I like to refashion clothing found at thrift shops because I can use high quality fabric that I could not afford to purchase new.
Refashioning a garment.. love the challenge.
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!
Definitely refashioning an outfit, I think
Making one from scratch.
My wife likes making clothes from scratch.
If I can remake my clothes to look new, well I get a whole new wardrobe. Older fabrics seem so much sturdier.
I love to refashion old pieces of clothing and even old furniture. Makes things a lot more interesting
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.
I loved the idea!
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.
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.
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