Struggling with a shirt that’s just a bit too snug? You’re not alone. Many of us have encountered the frustration of outgrowing a favorite shirt or discovering a vintage piece that doesn’t quite fit.
Fortunately, there’s no need to say goodbye to these beloved garments. Learning how to make a small shirt bigger is a practical skill that can help you salvage these items and create a more comfortable fit.
In this guide, we’ll explore four simple yet effective methods for resizing your shirt. Whether you’re looking to stretch the fabric, add side panels, insert gussets, or even transfer a design, these techniques will help you breathe new life into your wardrobe staples.
Here are four methods you can use to make a small shirt bigger:
Method 1. Stretching the Shirt
Stretching the shirt is a practical method to transform a small shirt into a more comfortable fit. This straightforward technique, involving warm water and gentle manipulation, is particularly useful for shirts made from flexible materials.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make a small shirt bigger by stretching it:
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
Before you start, gather the materials you’ll need. You will require the small shirt you want to make bigger, warm water, a basin or tub, hair conditioner or fabric softener, and a hanger.
Make sure you have a clean workspace and access to a place where you can air-dry the shirt.
Step 2: Create a Soaking Solution
Fill the basin or tub with warm water. The water should be warm but not hot, as hot water can damage some fabrics. Add a few tablespoons of hair conditioner or fabric softener to the water and mix it well.
The conditioner will help relax the fibers of the shirt, making it more pliable.
Step 3: Soak the Shirt
Submerge the small shirt into the warm water-conditioner solution. Ensure that the entire shirt is immersed. The soaking time will vary depending on the fabric’s thickness.
For thinner fabrics like cotton, 10-15 minutes may be sufficient, while thicker fabrics like wool may require 30 minutes or more.
Step 4: Stretch the Shirt
After the soaking time, gently remove the shirt from the water. Be careful not to wring or twist it, as this can damage the fabric. Instead, gently squeeze out excess water by pressing the shirt between your hands.
Step 5: Begin Stretching
With the shirt damp but not dripping, start stretching it to make it bigger. You can do this in a few ways:
- Stretch it by pulling on different areas of the shirt with your hands. Focus on the areas where you want it to be bigger, such as the chest, sleeves, or torso.
- Alternatively, you can hang the shirt on a hanger, and gently pull it in various directions to widen it. Pay attention to the length as well if you want to make the shirt longer.
Step 6: Air Dry the Shirt
Once you’ve stretched the shirt to your desired size, hang it up to air dry completely. Ensure it is stretched out to its new size on the hanger. Avoid using a dryer, as heat can cause the fabric to shrink again.
Allow the shirt to air dry naturally, which may take several hours or longer depending on the fabric and humidity.
Step 7: Check the Fit
After the shirt has dried, try it on to see if it now fits comfortably and has the desired size. If it’s still not large enough, you can repeat the stretching process.
However, keep in mind that there are limits to how much you can stretch a shirt using this method, and the results may vary based on the fabric type and original size of the shirt.
Method 2. Adding Side Panels
Adding side panels is a creative solution to expand the size of a small shirt. This sewing technique allows you to customize and enhance the fit while preserving the shirt’s original style.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make a small shirt bigger by adding side panels:
Step 1: Prepare Your Materials
Gather the necessary materials, including the small shirt that needs resizing, a piece of fabric that matches or complements the shirt in color and texture, fabric scissors, a sewing machine or needle and thread, pins, measuring tape, and a chalk or fabric marker.
Ensure you have a clean and well-lit workspace for this project.
Step 2: Examine the Small Shirt
Lay the small shirt flat on a table or work surface. Take a close look at the shirt to determine the areas where it feels too tight or small, particularly along the sides.
This examination will help you identify where you need to add the side panels to make the shirt bigger.
Step 3: Cut the Side Seams
Carefully cut along the side seams of the small shirt, starting from the hem and working your way up to the sleeve cuffs. Be sure to include the sleeves in this process, leaving only the front and back panels of the shirt intact.
This step essentially opens up the sides for the insertion of the side panels.
Step 4: Measure and Cut the Fabric Strips
Take your matching or complementary fabric and cut two strips that are wide enough to provide the desired expansion for the shirt. Use your measuring tape to ensure the width of the fabric strips aligns with the increase you want to achieve on each side of the shirt.
The length of these strips should match the height of the side openings on the shirt.
Step 5: Pin the Fabric Strips
Lay the shirt flat with the inside facing up. Place one of the fabric strips along the opened side seam of the shirt, aligning the top edge of the fabric strip with the edge of the opening.
Pin the fabric strip in place to secure it. Repeat this process for the other side of the shirt, pinning the second fabric strip in the same manner.
Step 6: Sew the Side Panels
Using a sewing machine or needle and thread, carefully stitch along the edges of the fabric strips, attaching them to the shirt’s side openings. Ensure that your stitches are straight and secure.
You can use a matching thread color to make the stitching less noticeable. Remove the pins as you sew, and continue stitching until both side panels are securely attached.
Step 7: Trim Excess Fabric
Trim any excess fabric from the side panels, making sure they are flush with the edges of the shirt. This step is essential for achieving a neat and polished appearance.
Be cautious not to cut too close to the stitching to prevent fraying.
Step 8: Reattach the Sleeves
With the side panels in place and the excess fabric trimmed, reattach the sleeves of the shirt. Ensure that they align properly with the new sides. Use your sewing machine or needle and thread to sew the sleeves back onto the shirt, making sure the stitches are secure and even.
Step 9: Finishing Touches
Inspect your resized shirt to ensure that the side panels blend seamlessly with the original fabric. Trim any loose threads, and consider pressing the seams with an iron for a professional finish.
Your small shirt should now fit comfortably, thanks to the added side panels, which have made it bigger and more wearable.
Method 3. Adding a Gusset
Adding a gusset offers a practical way to make a small shirt more accommodating. This sewing technique involves inserting extra fabric to widen or lengthen the shirt, ensuring a comfortable and personalized fit.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make a small shirt bigger by adding gussets:
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
Begin by collecting the necessary materials for this resizing project. You will need the small shirt you want to make bigger, a piece of fabric that matches or complements the shirt’s color and texture, fabric scissors, sewing machine or needle and thread, pins, measuring tape, and chalk or fabric marker.
Ensure you have a clean and well-lit workspace.
Step 2: Assess the Small Shirt
Lay the small shirt flat on a table or work surface and put it on if needed to identify the areas where it feels too tight or small. Examine the shirt carefully, focusing on the sides, underarms, or any other regions where additional room is required.
This assessment will help you determine where to insert the gussets.
Step 3: Prepare the Small Shirt
Turn the shirt inside out. To create space for the gussets, make a vertical slit in either the front or back of the shirt, starting from the hem and extending as far up as necessary.
This slit will serve as the opening for the gussets.
Step 4: Measure and Cut the Gusset Fabric
Measure the length of the slit you made in the small shirt, from the hem to the desired insertion point. Cut a piece of fabric from your matching or complementary fabric that matches this length.
The width of the fabric piece should be wide enough to add the desired width to the shirt’s size.
Step 5: Pin and Align the Gusset
Position the fabric gusset piece inside the slit you made in the shirt, aligning it so that it extends evenly on both sides of the opening. Use pins to secure the gusset in place along the edges of the slit.
Ensure that the fabric gusset aligns properly and smoothly with the shirt fabric.
Step 6: Sew the Gusset
Using a sewing machine or needle and thread, carefully sew along the edges of the fabric gusset, attaching it securely to the small shirt. Make sure your stitches are straight and even.
It’s essential to reinforce the gusset’s attachment, especially at the top and bottom where the fabric is most stressed.
Step 7: Trim Excess Fabric
Trim any excess fabric from the gusset, ensuring it is flush with the edges of the small shirt. This step helps maintain a neat and polished appearance.
Be careful not to cut too close to the stitching to prevent fraying.
Step 8: Repeat for the Other Side (Optional)
If you want to add gussets to both sides of the shirt for increased width, repeat steps 3 to 7 on the opposite side, creating another slit and attaching a second gusset.
Step 9: Finishing Touches
Inspect the shirt to ensure that the gussets blend seamlessly with the original fabric. Trim any loose threads, and consider pressing the seams with an iron for a professional finish.
Your small shirt should now fit comfortably, thanks to the added gussets, which have made it bigger and more wearable.
Method 4. Transferring the Design
Transferring the design is a creative method for resizing a small shirt while preserving its unique visual identity. This approach allows you to extend the shirt’s size while showcasing its original artwork or logo.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make a small shirt bigger by transferring the design:
Step 1: Assess the Small Shirt
Begin by examining the small shirt to determine where it feels tight or small and in need of resizing. Identify the specific areas of concern, such as the sides, underarms, sleeves, or length.
This assessment will help you decide whether transferring the design is the best method for your particular shirt.
Step 2: Find a Larger Plain Shirt
Locate a plain shirt that is larger than your small shirt and matches its color or complements it well. This larger shirt will serve as the base onto which you’ll transfer the design from the smaller shirt.
Step 3: Prepare the Small Shirt
Lay the small shirt flat on a clean surface and carefully cut around the design or logo you want to preserve, leaving a small margin for seam allowance.
Ensure that you cut as cleanly and precisely as possible, as this will affect the appearance of the transferred design.
Step 4: Position the Design on the Larger Shirt
Place the design or logo cutout from the small shirt onto the larger plain shirt. Position it centrally on either the front or back of the larger shirt, depending on your preference.
Take your time to align it precisely to achieve a symmetrical look.
Step 5: Secure the Design
To secure the design in place for sewing or gluing, you can use pins or temporary fabric adhesive. Pin the cutout in place along the edges, ensuring it doesn’t shift during the next steps.
If using fabric glue, apply it to the back of the cutout, and then press it onto the larger shirt, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 6: Sew or Glue the Design
Depending on your preference and skill level, you can either sew or glue the design patch onto the larger shirt. If sewing, use a thread color that matches the design and small, inconspicuous stitches to attach it securely.
If gluing, ensure that the glue adheres evenly and securely around the edges of the design. Let it dry according to the glue’s instructions.
Step 7: Final Touches
Inspect the transferred design to ensure that it is securely and neatly attached to the larger shirt. Trim any excess threads or fabric if necessary.
You can also press the design gently with an iron on a low setting to smooth out any wrinkles or imperfections, but be cautious not to damage the design or the larger shirt in the process.
Step 8: Try on and Adjust
With the design successfully transferred, try on the larger shirt to ensure that it now fits comfortably and has the desired size. The design transfer method primarily focuses on preserving the design while making the shirt bigger.
If you’re satisfied with the fit, you have successfully resized your small shirt while preserving its unique look.
FAQs
Can I use the stretching method for all types of fabrics?
Stretching works best for flexible materials like cotton and blends. It may not be suitable for fabrics that don’t have much give, such as denim or silk.
What’s the advantage of adding side panels over stretching a shirt?
Adding side panels allows for more controlled and customizable size adjustments. It’s especially useful for preserving intricate designs or logos on the shirt.
How can I prevent fraying when adding gussets or side panels?
To prevent fraying, sew along the edges of the added fabric using a sewing machine or a zigzag stitch. You can also use fabric glue as an alternative.
Is there a limit to how much I can resize a shirt using these methods?
Yes, there are limits to resizing. The extent to which you can resize a shirt depends on the fabric type, the original size, and the method you choose.
For significant size changes, it’s best to consult a professional tailor.
Can I use the same methods to make a small dress bigger?
Yes, the methods discussed, such as stretching, adding side panels, and inserting gussets, can be applied to dresses as well. The key is to adapt the techniques to the specific design and structure of the dress.