https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reducing-shirts-by-three-dress-sizes Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 10 Apr 2026 03:37:15 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reducing-shirts-by-three-dress-sizes#post-2362847 Mon, 17 Jun 2024 04:29:52 +0000 Anonymous 2362847@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A tailor once told me that a vertical seam in the back will make alterations easier. If these tops have a back seam they might be altered. Mine were only going down one size. Three sizes is a lot. Good luck. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reducing-shirts-by-three-dress-sizes#post-2362845 Mon, 17 Jun 2024 01:13:45 +0000 Sal 2362845@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sad news.&nbsp; Addressing your Mum's clothes is one of the more challenging things in a tough time.&nbsp; I kept one scarf that I wear and some jewelry.&nbsp; I think we will now remove her other clothes now, it has taken five years to get to that stage. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reducing-shirts-by-three-dress-sizes#post-2362840 Sun, 16 Jun 2024 21:59:05 +0000 Catlover 2362840@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you all for your suggestions. They are currently hanging in the wardrobe as Angie suggests and will stay there for now. They still carry her scent (Chanel no 5) which is comforting. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reducing-shirts-by-three-dress-sizes#post-2362224 Fri, 07 Jun 2024 17:56:30 +0000 Murph11 2362224@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If the fabric is cotton/cotton-blend, I'd make a quilt with the fabric :-)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reducing-shirts-by-three-dress-sizes#post-2362223 Fri, 07 Jun 2024 17:50:55 +0000 Jules 2362223@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Would they possibly feel comfy worn as sleep/lounge wear (with a suitable bottoms)? My mom made me socks that aren’t that practical with footwear but make comfortable (and comforting) ‘house socks’. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reducing-shirts-by-three-dress-sizes#post-2362213 Fri, 07 Jun 2024 14:49:55 +0000 Janet 2362213@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can tell you that having a blouse tailored that was two sizes too large was challenging, even for my tailor. Fortunately it’s a blousy, oversized style so it works, even if it is still voluminous. I would proceed with caution. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reducing-shirts-by-three-dress-sizes#post-2362211 Fri, 07 Jun 2024 13:48:55 +0000 Chris987 2362211@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have taken in a few button down shirts that were a little to big by taking in the side seams and the sleeve seams, but this only works if it's just a little bit too big. As others have said, if it's 3 sizes too big it's more complicated. To take it down 3 sizes requires removing the sleeves completely, cutting the armhole opening&nbsp; to make it&nbsp; smaller, and then re-attaching the sleeves.&nbsp;I have done this a few times and&nbsp; it's really hard to make it look as good as the original garment so I'm not doing it again..&nbsp;PLUS you'll also need to take in the sleeves and sides as I mentioned earlier. AND.... 3 sizes too big will mean the collar is too big.. so you'll have to remove that too, recut, re-attach ...also not easy. The mechanics of all this are not difficult for an experienced seamstress but they are time consuming and figuring out how much to cut and take in is NOT simple.&nbsp; &nbsp;There are plenty of videos on the internet on how to do this but they make it look a lot easier than it actually is. I think <b>Angie's</b> ideas are good&nbsp; - keep them in your closet as lovely reminder of your mum, or use the fabric for something else. Or as <b>RobinF</b> said them at their current size if that works ...<b> L'abelle's&nbsp;</b> ideas ight work too but again you have to figure out where exactly to put those darts and how deep to make them and that's the tricky part. Good luck!&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reducing-shirts-by-three-dress-sizes#post-2362210 Fri, 07 Jun 2024 13:30:12 +0000 L'Abeille 2362210@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rearranging the inset of the sleeve to the armhole would be far more trouble than it's worth. But, if you also plan to wear them as loose, floaty, and open, taking the back in, either with a centre seam or 2 long vertical darts, might give you an oversized look that also looks like it belongs on you.<br />Source: not a lot of sewing experience, but I did successfully cut down a ladies' size dress into a flower-girl blouse for my middle school daughter, and it worked so well she wore it for a few years.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reducing-shirts-by-three-dress-sizes#post-2362209 Fri, 07 Jun 2024 13:19:52 +0000 Angie 2362209@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My condolences </p> <p>May I suggest forgoing the alterations. I don’t have high hopes for a successful outcome. I found that simply looking at a few of my late Mum’s clothes hanging in my own closet was comforting. Might be for you too. </p> <p>Also like the idea of making something else from the fabric, if you feel that way inclined. Best of luck. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reducing-shirts-by-three-dress-sizes#post-2362208 Fri, 07 Jun 2024 12:15:22 +0000 RobinF 2362208@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shirts aren't usually an easy alteration, depending on what part of it needs to be altered of course. Maybe just let them be oversized and floaty? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reducing-shirts-by-three-dress-sizes#post-2362207 Fri, 07 Jun 2024 11:57:52 +0000 Carla 2362207@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Three dress sizes is a lot, and a simple alteration to make them fit probably wouldn’t work. &nbsp;If you especially love the fabric/pattern, you might be able to take the shirt apart and recut &nbsp;to create a new garment/shirt. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reducing-shirts-by-three-dress-sizes#post-2362201 Fri, 07 Jun 2024 11:00:34 +0000 April 2362201@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We have a number of talented sewists here, though I am not one of them. I think the issue with top alterations is the shoulders, very tricky. </p> <p>But I will watch with interest to see what someone who actually knows what they're talking about says. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/reducing-shirts-by-three-dress-sizes#post-2362197 Fri, 07 Jun 2024 08:05:05 +0000 Catlover 2362197@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hello, everyone</p> <p>I am new here, though I have been lurking for many years.</p> <p>I have a rather sad question. My lovely Mum died last year, and I have slowly got rid of most of her clothes to the charity shop. She had some lovely things but she was three dress sizes larger then me (though a little shorter) so her clothes didn’t fit me, particularly her more tailored pieces.</p> <p>She had a few floaty shirts (hip length) that she used to wear open over a top in the summer. I have kept these and, since they are a loose-fitting floaty style, I am wondering if it might be possible to take them in enough so they don’t swamp me. I would appreciate your thoughts. Thank you. </p>