How Tacky Would This Look Sewing Question

Updated on March 10, 2011
D.S. asks from Katy, TX
9 answers

i have some shirts that i really like. I am not an expert sewer just occasionally. problem is i have shirts that are extra large that fit me in the shoulders and arms some are mens some women but they go down to my thighs on length. i have posted and was refered to some sites for clothes to find that would fit me and the style I like. my question though is these shirts are work shirts fit me in the shoulders and arms I hve big shoulders for a little girl and I am small everywhere else. so if i took these shirts that fit everywhere but the length and cut and hemmed them would this look awkward? and how short in the length would you cut it right below the butt? higher shorter and how do i make sure I get the bottom even. these are polos and i have problems sewing t shirt material. to inexperienced. so what would your advice be and would this look bad???? and how would i make sure i get the hem even without a pattern?? honest opnions

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So What Happened?

i am going to try what was suggested with an old work on the car shirt and see if it works if not i will go to a place to do it for me. i am also going to check into the boys clothes. thanks

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R.L.

answers from Houston on

I would suggest to take them to a tailor or seamstress and have them professionally done. Especially if you will get a lot of use out of them. It shouldn't be that expensive and it will probably be worth it.

1 mom found this helpful

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J.F.

answers from Minneapolis on

Maybe you could advertise on craigslist or google your area for a WAHM that does type of work. You would get it done right AND benefit another mom. Good luck!

2 moms found this helpful

J.E.

answers from Los Angeles on

tape the hem, or use sewing glue? or maybe just go to a seamstress and get a few done up, I had a very tine friend who sort of fit a girls size 10 but she had hips, it was most cost effective to take her favorite well fit pants and have them ripped apart for the pattern and have several pairs professionally made.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.L.

answers from Chicago on

If you are going to wear them out I would really have the cleaners do this especially if they are t-shirt material that is harder to work with or have a friend or family do the sewing for reasonable. Or experiment and try to do one and see how it turns out.

1 mom found this helpful
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N.W.

answers from Eugene on

Sewing knit fabric can be tricky. It slips and stretches and it's hard to make a straight flat hem if you haven't done this before, especially with a regular sewing machine.

Do you have a girlfriend who sews? I like to sew and did a trade with a friend. I altered her down parka and she took care of my cat while I was out of town. We were both happy and saved money.

1 mom found this helpful

T.K.

answers from Dallas on

My suggestion, since you don't know how or where to even start, is take 1 to be professionally altered. Watch and listen carefully. If you like the results you may be able to learn enough that you can do the rest yourself.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.K.

answers from Appleton on

It helps to have someone measure the item to be hemmed while you are wearing it. That way it will be measured to fit your body. If that is not possible lay it down flat on the floor, make sure the shoulders are square and the side seams straight. Measure from the bottom the number of inches you need to remove + a 1/4 inch hem, cut of excess and role the hem to the inside, use a ball point needle and the cotton wrapped polyester thread (dual duty), sew in a zig-zag stitch.
My daughter is a waitress and needs white shirts with a button down collar for work. I often look in the boys sizes 7-20 for shirts for her. The shirts are not as long as the menswear shirts. Seriously look in the boys department for shirts.

1 mom found this helpful

M.L.

answers from Houston on

Put the shirt on inside out. Then staple or pin the shirt about 1 inch from the outline of your body. remove the shirt. Draw a chalk line on the curve of your body and sew that line. Cut off the excess for a fitted shirt.

For the hem, just roll it a bit until it looks good. Make it as even as possible. Before you cut and sew, you can do the iron on hem.

Or, turn the shirt inside out and lay it as flat as you possibly can. Lay a shirt of yours that fits well on top and outline the sides and bottom with chalk, about a half inch so you can sew it on the sides, and one inch so you can roll it just a bit and sew the hem on the bottom.

Here's a step by step tutorial with pictures:
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/reducing_tees

This one is making a dress from an oversized shirt, but similar method:
http://etsylabs.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-make-trapeze-...

1 mom found this helpful

A.J.

answers from Williamsport on

Polos as in knit (strethcy) vs Polo men's shirts (mens woven shirt fabric non-stretchy)?
Either way, if you are not an experienced seamstress, I would take them to a tailor (some dry cleaners have them). If you're just hemming them, it won't cost much, and they may even take in the sides a bit so it doesn't look too boxy. If you do it yourself, you may very well get the hems crooked and it will be hard and take a long time, and you may mess up the shirts. It's also hard to measure on yourself (bend over and estimate with one arm manipulating shirt....) where to hem them rather than have someone stand you in front of a mirror and pin it for you right there. I'm an experienced seamstress and this is what I would do.

If it's knit, you'd be best with a different machine than if it's woven fabric, or it may pucker.
You'd usually want them about mid hip or half butt long to be slimming and not make your legs too short, but it' hard to say without seeing the style. I would take them to someone.

1 mom found this helpful
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