Time To Submerge T Shirt? The 80 Top Answers

Have you ever experienced the discomfort of sitting during a work meeting without bending over for fear of the buttons on your blouse popping? Or maybe you can’t quite squeeze into that t-shirt you bought at an amazing concert years ago. Anyway, you’re probably wondering how to make your shirt bigger!

In most cases, you can make a shirt larger through stretching techniques or sewn alterations. Stretching some fabrics will slightly increase the size of a shirt at the collar, sleeves, or side seams. You can also make alterations with scissors and a sewing machine.

In this article, you’ll learn how to use different techniques to stretch a shirt, how to alter t-shirts and button-downs with a sewing machine, and how to remodel your clothes with just a pair of scissors!

Can you make a shirt bigger?

Whether or not you can make a shirt larger depends on its style and the type of material it’s made of.

In general, shirts of any style can stretch at least a little if you use the right methods. However, when you want to alter your shirt with a sewing technique, style really matters. T-shirts are usually relatively easy to alter, while blouses and button-downs require a higher level of skill.

The type of material also makes a big difference. Cotton shirts stretch easily, while polyester and other synthetic fabric shirts don’t stretch as well. If you decide to sew alterations, keep in mind that some fabrics, such as B. Lines, old pinholes will stick and leave unsightly marks showing your changes.

However, if you have the right combination of style and material, you can make most shirts larger by either stretching or sewing.

How to make a shirt bigger without sewing

The easiest way to make a shirt slightly larger is to stretch it. Many shirts, especially those made of cotton or cotton blends, can easily be stretched at least half a size larger.

If you have a shirt that’s a little too small and want to fit back in, you should definitely try at least some quick stretching techniques! These methods require little effort or skill and allow you to enlarge a shirt without sewing.

You can accomplish this by washing and stretching the shirt while it’s wet, soaking it in a solution of water and hair conditioner, and then stretching it, or using a special stretching tool to enlarge a specific part of a shirt, such as a crotch. B. a collar .

How to stretch a shirt

If you’re new to the world of clothing alterations, why not start with a simple method that allows you to enlarge a garment without cutting it?

First, save yourself some hassle by taking a few preliminary steps. Try the shirt on and see exactly where it doesn’t fit you. Is your button-down too tight in the collar but fits perfectly everywhere else? Is your favorite T-shirt growing uncomfortably tight on your chest, although it’s hanging just right?

You should also check the inside label to find out if your garment is washable before attempting any stretching method. Some fabrics, such as silk and wool, require dry cleaning. You should not attempt these stretching techniques on an item made of non-washable fabric.

The manufacturer’s label inside the shirt should also provide information about what fabric it is made of and how many threads the material has. The type of material makes a big difference in how easily a garment will stretch.

Cotton shirts stretch much more easily than shirts made from synthetic fabrics like polyester. This happens because cotton fibers relax and expand when wet, while polyester fibers do not absorb moisture. However, you can successfully stretch polyester if you use the right methods!

Thread count can also make a difference in how well something stretches. A tight-fitting button-down with a high thread count has the strength and elasticity to stretch without tearing. A shirt with a low thread count can be damaged by stretching. However, knit fabrics like the jersey knit that most t-shirts are made from don’t have this problem!

The washing method

Throw your washable shirt in the washing machine on the cold setting and let it go through its normal cycles. Remove the wet shirt and place it on a dry towel. (Do not wring as this could damage the fabric!)

Spread the shirt out until there are no obvious creases or bulges. Then gently stretch the areas you want to enlarge. For example, if the sleeves are too short, hold the shoulder and cuff and pull gently but firmly. If the chest area of ​​your t-shirt is too small, try to grab and pull at each side seam just below the sleeves.

Some fabrics stretch quite a bit when wet, so be careful not to stretch too much!

When the shirt has stretched to your satisfaction, let it dry. Then try it on and see if it holds up to its new size!

The conditioner method

This method works very similar to the washing method. Fill a bowl or sink with cold water and add a few tablespoons of hair conditioner. Soak the shirt in this solution for fifteen to twenty minutes.

Rinse out the conditioner by dumping the cold water and refilling the sink. Wave the shirt around a few times. Repeat this step as needed until it no longer feels slimy from the conditioner.

Drain most of the water from the shirt by holding it over the basin. Then place it between two dry towels and press to absorb more water.

Finally, flatten the shirt and gently start stretching where needed!

If you need to stretch a rugby shirt, soccer jersey or sports uniform, you should try this conditioner method!

How to stretch a polyester shirt

Polyester doesn’t stretch as easily as other fabrics and requires a little more work. Because it is a synthetic fabric, consisting essentially of plastic, polyester fibers do not stretch at all.

Polyester knit fabrics, however, yield somewhat due to the looser way this fabric is made. Woven polyester fabrics don’t stretch very much, although you can sometimes gain about half a size using these methods.

First try washing or soaking your shirt so it gets nice and wet. Then put it on when wet. Yes, this will feel cold and clammy, but it will be worth it when it works! Allowing the wet shirt to dry while you wear it can cause it to stretch just enough to hold its new shape.

You can also try the conditioner technique outlined above, except this time you have to put the shirt on while it’s still damp and let it dry on you.

But as a piece of advice, save yourself the time and effort and buy a new polyester shirt that fits properly. Stretching or sewing polyester is usually not worth it because polyester clothing is so affordable!

stretching tools

If none of these easy and cheap methods worked for you, you might want to consider buying a special tool to stretch your shirt.

Believe it or not, you can purchase a collar or hatband stretcher that works like a vise to stretch the collar of a button-down stripe.

If you don’t want to invest in such a specialized tool, you can also buy collar extenders. These don’t really stretch the collar. They look like a button attached to a spring loop. The loop goes around the existing button on the collar and the new button replaces it, giving you some breathing room!

Finally, if you don’t have time to sit around and hand stretch your shirts, you can always buy a set of heavy paperweights and use the weights to stretch your shirt while it dries.

How to add fabric to make a shirt larger

If you’ve been trying to stretch your shirt to no avail, here are some ideas you can try using a sewing machine and some sharp scissors!

How to make a t-shirt bigger by sewing

You can change t-shirts and tank tops much easier than most other types of shirts.

First, consider these tips for sewing on knit fabrics. If you can, swap out the needle in your sewing machine for a ballpoint pen needle. This needle has a rounded tip that won’t catch and pull on knit fabric.

Be careful not to stretch the fabric under its own weight while sewing. Gather it and hold it level with the sewing machine as you thread the fabric through. You should also be careful not to tug or tug as the feeders push the fabric under the needle.

Once you are comfortable with this, you can adjust the tension and feed settings on your sewing machine and test these settings on a piece of knit fabric. As a pro tip, you can find many Youtube videos showing you how to adjust these settings!

Add side panels

Now that you’re ready to sew, let’s start with a basic method of enlarging a t-shirt. This method increases the bust, waist, sleeves, and hips, but does not increase the size of the collar.

You will need matching cotton yarn and another solid color t-shirt that matches your t-shirt very well in color and weight. (Alternatively, you could choose a color that contrasts well with the color of the t-shirt, although this will draw more attention to your change.)

First, take a pair of sharp sewing scissors and snip the t-shirt from the bottom of each side seam down to the sleeve, then cut through the underarm seam as well. You now have two matching halves of the shirt, front and back.

Next, lay the matching or contrasting color “filler” t-shirt flat. Depending on how much you want to enlarge the original garment, cut an inch or two inside the side seam, but this time cut through both layers of the shirt. Trim up and across the underarm seam so you have a trimmed piece of fabric in an inverted L shape.

Now, pin the L-shaped fabric into your original t-shirt, matching the hems of the sleeves, underarm seam, and hems. Sew each side of the panel together, then repeat on the other side seam. Essentially, you’re trimming the side seam off the filler t-shirt to insert into your original garment!

Add lace

If your t-shirt needs a little extra room in the collar, chest and waist areas, you might want to try adding a fun lace panel or gusset in the back! This method leaves part of your back exposed through the lace, so keep that in mind before proceeding.

First measure the back of your t-shirt to find the exact center and cut straight up from the hem through the collar.

Second, cut out a strip of lace that’s between two and five inches wide (depending on how much bigger you want to make it) and exactly one inch longer than the length of the shirt from collar to hem.

Fold and hem the top and bottom of the lace panel. The insert should now exactly match the length of the t-shirt.

Turn the t-shirt inside out and pin the open edge and lace together, right sides together. Sew each side of the lace panel together, then use a zig zag stitch to complete the raw edges.

If you’re up for a challenge, you can also make an even more elegant lace addition by using a lace gusset or triangular lace panel instead of the flat lace panel!

add length

A slightly too short t-shirt can pose a problem in many situations, especially when you have to bend down while gardening, stocking shelves at work or lifting a baby! Luckily, adding extra length is one of the easiest ways to alter a shirt.

All you need is a strip of fabric about 5 inches wide and as long as the circumference of the t-shirt hem, plus a half-inch seam allowance. You could use the bottom section of another tee, and you don’t even have to hem the add-on! Or you can cut out a strip of matching or contrasting knit or lace and hem the bottom edge.

For an extravagant touch, you can also use a ruffle instead of a flat hem expander!

You will need to sew the two short ends of the add-on together using a ¼ inch seam allowance, creating a loop that is the same size as the bottom of the hem. Next, pin the right side of the top of interest to the wrong side of the hem. Then sew across the top of the hem.

You’ve added a few extra inches to the bottom of your t-shirt!

How to make a button down shirt bigger

The easiest way to make a button-down bigger is to use the stretching techniques listed previously. You can also try one of the sewing variations described here. Honestly, altering a fitted shirt is a challenge, even for an experienced seamstress.

If your shirt has shrunk (or you’ve grown) enough that stretching won’t fix the problem, you might want to buy a new one instead of trying to make your shirt bigger by sewing.

If you want to learn how to alter shirts, you should practice on lots of cheap, second-hand shirts before cutting up one of your favorite blouses.

Adding side walls

Remember how you cut open the side seam of a t-shirt and added a few inches from another t-shirt? This can also be done with a button down! You can use the same technique by cutting the side seam of another shirt down to the sleeve and then pasting this panel into your blouse.

However, you must remove and then reattach the cuffs to complete this process.

It will probably be quite difficult to find another shirt that matches your buttoned fabric and pattern exactly, so consider including a contrasting color for the side panels. Some DIYers even use something stretchy like a henley for the insert. This provides extra support and comfort in the redesigned shirt.

When you feel ready for an advanced challenge, you can unzip the sleeves and use the material from the sleeves to create your side panel. Of course you would then have a sleeveless button-down.

Will the end result look good? Let’s say if you’re planning on wearing your remodeled button-down to work, you should probably wear a blazer over it. On the other hand, your button-down fits again!

Add a gusset to the back

Warning, this technique is not for the faint of heart! However, if you have the patience and sewing skills, you can try adding a gusset to the back of your button-down. This creates more space in the bosom of your blouse or tailored shirt.

Seamstresses sometimes use this technique when altering wedding dresses. For DIY sewers, however, any project that involves fiddling with collars or sleeves can be more trouble than it’s worth.

However, if you still want to try it, here it is in very simple terms.

First, remove the collar and cut about halfway down the center seam on the back of the shirt.

Then, insert a triangular piece of matching or contrasting fabric and sew each side of the open seam.

The hardest part is matching the back of the collar to the wider back of the shirt.

How to redesign a t-shirt

If you’re looking for a quick fix, a fun way to salvage your undersized t-shirt, or want a fashion statement, consider customizing your t-shirt with scissors. You can use this technique to transform an undersized t-shirt (or even a sweatshirt) in a fun, flirty, and decorative way!

Your imagination is the only limit to this process. You could use hundreds of different designs. Here are a few ideas to get you started!

You can cut off the sleeves to create a sleeveless tank top. If the collar is too tight, also cut it out to give you a rough tank top!

You can cut a tiered stack of thin slits on each side just before the side seam, giving the t-shirt a little more stretch in the waist area.

You can cut a side slit in a t-shirt or sweatshirt by cutting a 6 inch slit straight down the side seam, creating a simple flap that gives you more hip room.

Do you know the fashionable peek-a-boo shirts with the holes over the shoulders? You can easily create a peep t-shirt by cutting out an oval at the top of each shoulder.

If you’re feeling artistic, you can put a board or piece of thick card stock inside your shirt and use a craft knife to cut a multi-level pattern from the center of the collar to about halfway down the hem. If you like the look (and the extra freedom it gives you while wearing the t-shirt!), you can repeat the pattern on the back of the shirt.

Some gifted people also use this technique to carve angel wings or butterfly designs into their T-shirts!

Can a tailor make a shirt bigger?

Tailors probably can’t make a shirt bigger. Tailors can usually increase pants by a size or even two because some pants have extra material sewn into the seams. However, coats and shirts do not usually have extra material in their seams.

A tailor can make the sleeves shorter and one size smaller, but usually cannot make the garment larger. You’ve already seen how difficult it is to cut off sleeves and a collar and then reattach them to change a button-down. Even after all this work, the result may not look very professional.

This is because every time you need to add fabric, the shirt loses its original lines and design. Tailors typically don’t want to commit to a process that results in a less-than-professional-looking product.

If you can’t buy a shirt that fits you exactly, tailors recommend buying a half size or one size up. It’s much, much easier to make a shirt smaller than it is to make it bigger!

However, the average cost of a simple shirt alteration, like shortening the sleeves, is between fifteen and thirty dollars.

What can you make even bigger?

If you feel like trashing your closet and making all of your clothes comfortable for you again, here are a few other projects to try!

To make a tank top looser, simply cut a straight line down the side seams or down the front of the tank and add a pretty strip of crocheted lace. If that sounds too frou-frou for you, you can use the decorative slicing techniques described for t-shirts on a tank top too!

To increase the size of a sweatshirt, try the stretching techniques outlined earlier. Many sweatshirts are made from cotton fleece, which responds well to soaking and stretching.

If your sweatshirt is very thin cotton fleece, you can cut a slit three or four inches down the center of the neckline, giving you a larger neckline. Or you can cut side slits in the elastic at the bottom of the hoodie to keep it from riding up when you raise your arms.

Do you want to stretch out your pants, sweatpants or even jeans? You can buy a pant stretching tool on Amazon that will do most of the work for you!

You can also try soaking the pants and then putting them on wet. They should stretch to fit you as you dry.

Conclusion

Are you ready to pull out your scissors and cut up your old t-shirts? You may find the prospect of sewing alterations daunting but want to try stretching your button-down so it fits a little better. Anyway, hopefully you’re feeling confident about the many different ways to make your shirts bigger!

Have you ever tried a stretch or stitch alteration? Did it work? Leave a comment below to let us know!