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1. 

   

   Start off with an oversized tee that you'd like to reduce.

2. 

   

   Find another tee, one that fits perfectly and the way you want the oversized tee to fit.




3. 

   

   Turn the large tee inside out and lay it out neatly on a flat surface. Lay the smaller tee on top of the larger one, so that the necklines of both of the tees are aligned.

4. 

   

   Draw around the outline of the smaller tee on to the larger one, using tailors chalk if you're working on a dark tee or charcoal if you're working on a lighter tee.




5. 

   

   Remove the smaller tee and place pins around the outline you drew, pining through both the front and the back of the tee.

6. 

   

   Pin around the whole outline of the smaller tee.

7. 

   

   Cut around the sides of the tee, removing excess fabric but leaving a one inch allowance around the outside. Don't cut the bottom of the tee yet.

8. 

   

   Now, take the bottom edge and fold up, so that the tee is at the desired length. You can use the smaller tee for guidance at this point. Pin along the bottom edge.

9. 

   

   Repeat with the back of the tee, ensuring the both sides are at the correct height, and pin in place.

10. 

    

    Cut off the excess fabric but leave a one inch allowance.

11. 

    

    Now it's time to fix up the arms. Remove a couple of pins, so that they don't get in your way.

12. 

    

    Fold back the fabric of the tee, so that the sleeve is at the desired length and pin in to place. Once again, you can use the smaller tee for reference. Repeat with the other sleeve, ensuring their both at the same length.

13. 

    

    Now it's time to bring out the sewing machine. Start by sewing along the edge of the bottom of the tee. Remove a few pins from each side before you begin, then sew along the front and then the back, before returning the pins back to their original positions.

14. 

    

    Now along the ends of the sleeves, once again removing a couple of pins from the bottom, sewing along the hem, and then returning the pins.

15. 

    

    Now it's time to sew along the sides of the tee. Start at the bottom of the sleeve and then sew right along the outline to the bottom of the tee, removing the pins as you go. Repeat with the other side.

16. 

    

    Finally, cut off any excess fabric, turn the tee inside out and you're all done!

By Keeley C.

See more Dressmaking / Tailoring

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CeeyraContradict

Jul 17, 2008 8:12pm

Cool.

Roma

Jul 18, 2008 8:34am

Hooray! Rough Trade!

minty

Jul 18, 2008 7:05pm

I'm defiantly going to try this

b0neshaker

Jul 19, 2008 5:45am

I've tried this before and it has to be the most efficient way of self-tailoring shirts ... (: Fantastic dear xxx

reese52

Jul 23, 2008 1:50am

Thanks for sharing a tutorial. I'm definitely going to have to try this.

vava

Jul 31, 2008 8:23pm

very helpful^____^

Shivi

Aug 1, 2008 2:58pm

wow- this is awesome Cat, I like smaller fitted shirts but some of the logos on bigger shirts are really cool. fab idea!

Sharen W.

Aug 26, 2008 4:39am

This is great, thanks!

Blacktop Betty

Sep 23, 2008 2:46am

yes!! i've done this a million times! its awesome for band merch that you can't try on, when in doubt, i just buy big! makes the most flattering shirt for your body too! thanks for posting a tutorial for everybody!