If you do stuff, stuff gets done.......

If you do stuff, stuff gets done.......

Thursday, June 14, 2012

How to downsize a t-shirt

The big story in Oklahoma right now is that our basketball team, The Thunder,  is playing in the NBA finals right now.  
My brother from Texas visited us over the weekend.  
He bought himself a Thunder shirt and also bought shirts for Gavin and Elizabeth.  


but we have a little problem......



the Thunder shirt on the left is the size my brother bought.
the shirt on the right is the size shirt that Gavin and Elizabeth currently wear.

So,  I got busy with a little alteration, it really was easy and quick.
and successful.  

first I laid the smaller shirt (with the sleeves folded under) on top of the bigger shirt.
then just cut off the bottom, sides and sleeves.
I left about an inch on the sides,
2 inches on the bottom.
The neck of the shirt was not changed in any way!

I did this with the Thunder shirt turned wrong side out.
Make sure to check your design, so you don't cut into it if you try this.  

then I cut the sleeves off and open at the sides so I can cut them smaller. 

For size,  I used the smaller shirt as a guide.  I cut off the bottom -seam of the sleeve...

then cut off more at the top  

then just pinned the cut down sleeve back into place.
See - the sleeve hem never changed.
Just machine sew the sleeve back to the shirt.
I also added some zig-zag to finish off the seam but that is optional.

After the sleeves are sewn in,  pin the sides together and machine sew them .  


now,  just turn up the bottom hem
and machine sew it about 1 inch from the bottom and then again at 3/4 inch from the bottom .

close up of the altered sleeve  
20 minutes later
the finished shirt!  


Gavin modeling his Thunder shirt.

it is still a little big but I think it will be a little smaller after a laundry.
the original shirt was a 10-12 youth
Gavin and Elizabeth both are 3T size


Now,  I need to size down Elizabeth's.  Her mom asked me try to make hers into a t-shirt dress.
I'll let you know how it goes.  

9 comments:

  1. That's such a fantastic resize job...........very clever and brave.

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  2. Very nice! You are so clever!! Lucky kids!!!!

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  3. That is wonderful, Rhonda! You did a great job! I'm sure the t-shirt dress will turn out great too! Can't wait to see it.

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  4. Gavin and Elizabeth have THE smartest grandma EVER!!! Rhonda, you are amazing! The little t-shirt dress for Elizabeth is going to be adorable. I love seeing what you do.
    Hugs, Cindy

    PS: I know my daughter would feel honored if you copied the pillow, it's really nice, isn't it. Such a good message.

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  5. How stinkin smart are you!!! I will be printing this post to add to my sewing binder!! Thanks for sharing

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  6. Hi Rhonda,
    You are just too smart. I wish I could sew like that. How is theo.
    XXXXXOOOO
    Elizabeth

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  7. Rhonda, I am very impressed! That is great. Hopefully one day I will be half as good as you are.

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