https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 05 Apr 2026 20:33:47 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt/page/2#post-2406682 Thu, 19 Feb 2026 10:44:05 +0000 Brooklyn 2406682@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lisa and Glory, good luck with it! I use both methods frequently.</p> <p>RobinF, thanks for chiming in. And for the expert eye. I think it could be fixed by a competent tailor but I don’t have one I trust at the moment. I might try to do it by hand myself eventually. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt/page/2#post-2406657 Thu, 19 Feb 2026 01:08:33 +0000 Lisa 2406657@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a great idea! I've never shortened my tees but I know at some point I've read that Jennifer Aniston has her tees altered which is why they fit her so well. I'm keeping these tips in mind, thanks for sharing! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt/page/2#post-2406616 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 17:53:39 +0000 Glory 2406616@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a great idea. I have done the first method a few times and had the lovely rolled hem. I tried it on the sleeves as well. For me it breathed life into a couple of tshirts that were simply not wearable.<br />I really like the idea of the second alteration especially for a tshirt that is a bit more upscale. I am going to give it a whirl. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt/page/2#post-2406605 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 13:56:45 +0000 RobinF 2406605@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Brooklyn, I would be sick about that hem also. It looks to me like they pulled it as they were stitching so that it would still stretch but that is not an acceptable finished look. I wonder if it could be re-done. The problem is it would roll when you took out the stitching.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt/page/2#post-2406601 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 11:42:41 +0000 Brooklyn 2406601@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenni, I agree it’s hard to justify spending $$ having a tee altered.</p> <p>Sisi, I’m glad you found it useful.</p> <p>Re rolling: There are some tees that don’t roll when cut. If a tee has small purl like stitches on the back side of the fabric, it’s likely to be a roller. If the back side looks like a v stitch, it won’t roll. Some heavier tees have the v stitch. It’s a good idea to check by making a small cut on the inside of a hem first and see if it rolls. Or take a small amount off when you first cut the tee so you still have enough fabric left to have it professionally hemmed if it doesn’t roll. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt/page/2#post-2406598 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 09:32:41 +0000 Sisi 2406598@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you Brooklyn for sharing this information! If I'll ever have to shorten a tee I will just cut it and let the hem curl. Very easy for my scarce skills and I like the result. The guy in the video is very professional, explains well and is also funny! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt/page/2#post-2406585 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 01:54:51 +0000 Jenni NZ 2406585@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh I see. Mine sits nice and flat but the stitching is slightly wonky. I am happy, yes, just got back from the supermarket.<br /> It’s more a cost issue of this not being cheap for a T-shirt, paid full price at the time $110, plus now another $29 for the alteration. But I didn’t really want to just cut off the bottom of a $110 top myself and am not a sewist except for minor hand sewing so felt unable to try your other YouTube method.<br /> I was pleased that I had checked the length by hand hemming my older coral T-shirt as a test, I took that with me to the tailor so she got the length correct. I feel I will immediately put it into frequent rotation now.<br /> Overall a win. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt#post-2406581 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 01:02:51 +0000 Brooklyn 2406581@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Jenni. It doesn’t look wavy to me but it’s hard to tell in the picture. Are you happy with it? That’s the main thing.</p> <p>This is the top I had hemmed professionally a few years ago and then decided never to do it again. It’s all beautifully overlocked but you can see the hem looks wavy and has small divots in it. I’m still cross about it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt#post-2406576 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 22:31:46 +0000 Jenni NZ 2406576@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So, over a year later, after 26 wears blousing the tee out from pants, I decided to pay for the shortening. It cost $29 which was about what Brooklyn thought it might be, less than the $50 Bijou had to pay one time.<br /> But to your point about wavy hems, Brooklyn, the stitching is a little wavy? See pic below. As she has done it the right length and the stitching is pale I don’t notice but it’s interesting. I decided to wear the top for an at-home day today, with my wrinkly linen shorts!<br /> I am happy with the length but feel I will try much harder not to buy too long in future. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt#post-2374175 Tue, 12 Nov 2024 13:15:45 +0000 RobinF 2374175@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sarah - I have actually done that with jeans and it works well. It can make the hem a little stiffer than the original but not bad. But I often follow the chop-it-off school for jeans too. So quick and easy :)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt#post-2374165 Tue, 12 Nov 2024 03:19:58 +0000 Brooklyn 2374165@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks everyone. I’m glad this was of interest.</p> <p>Sarah, I think method 2 would work for keeping the original hem of jeans. I’m sure I’ve seen YouTube videos on it. </p> <p>I’ve learned something too. I didn’t know that there were double needles! But it makes sense. It would make it much easier to get that nice double line of stitching.</p> <p>I have heard about the hem tape but it always seems a little too hard for me. I may give it a try after this post.</p> <p>Firecracker, I don’t blame you not wanting to volunteer! I hate doing alterations, hems etc. </p> <p>But I would like to fix a top that I had shortened unsuccessfully a while back. That was when I decided I would not be having this type of alteration done anymore. It’s a rayon blend knit top. I think I will try doing it by hand like JAileen. Possibly with the hem tape to add a bit of weight. Nothing ventured, nothing gained </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt#post-2374154 Tue, 12 Nov 2024 01:58:16 +0000 Kyle 2374154@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have used your “cut it off and let it roll” option and am intrigued by the second method of re-using the existing hem. Thank you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt#post-2374150 Tue, 12 Nov 2024 01:38:06 +0000 Jaime 2374150@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Brooklyn thank you for the education! One should never assume, as I did, that something is easy without actual knowledge. (I am in extracting life lesson phase of things .) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt#post-2374125 Mon, 11 Nov 2024 19:05:01 +0000 Joyce B 2374125@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great idea, thank you for sharing.<br /> Like @JP mentioned, I was also thinking of using a fusible tape or a spray-on fusible, that should avoid the waviness.<br /> Sewing store sections have a lot of very interesting supplies that I have recently discovered. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt#post-2374123 Mon, 11 Nov 2024 19:02:03 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 2374123@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>Those are good techniques--and results! Thanks for sharing them, <b>Brooklyn</b>. <br /></div><div>And nice job, <b>JAileen</b>, too. (That example looks to me like a rayon or polyester knit that wouldn't roll, by the way.)<br /></div><div>I've used the twin needle on a sewing machine (like what <b>Robin</b> shows and <b>JP</b> mentions). I never had great luck with it, but I know others who have used them with great success.&nbsp;</div><div><b>Angie</b> is correct--knits and their many varieties make the process tricky. And the machines make a big difference. I have a combination serger (or overlock) and coverstitch (or coverhem) machine that can handle about any kind of knit, so I am fortunate and a bit spoiled. Even with the coverstitch machine, I often use a product like the one <b>JP</b> links to, to keep the hem perfectly in place as I stitch it. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>For some reason, I'm never excited about doing alterations, even though it's nice to have them finished, and I enjoy having a wearable garment again. So when friends ask if I will alter something for them--even one of those "easy" tasks--I usually politely decline! <br /></div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt#post-2374121 Mon, 11 Nov 2024 17:39:05 +0000 Angie 2374121@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, <b>Brooklyn</b>! Very informative, and super duper tee hacks. Great results :)&nbsp;</p> <p>YES. Shortening knits like tees can be tricky. They stretch as you sew them, so you need the right machines that use the right threads and needles. Hence the wavy hems if the tools are incorrect.&nbsp;</p> <p>I've had Greg's tees, client's tees/ knitted dresses, and my mesh tops shortened at Nordstrom and my tailor - results are perfect. To your point, some clients had theirs done at the dry cleaners with wavy results because they didn't have the right tools.&nbsp;</p> <p>A good alterations person should tell you whether they have the right machines for knits. I've had that happen and was grateful for the transparency. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt#post-2374120 Mon, 11 Nov 2024 17:37:04 +0000 JP 2374120@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Those are good options, Brooklyn. I am sharing my method. I have shortened a lot of T-shirt material tops (mostly for my petite mom) and the trick is to use Heat n Bond iron on hem tape. I cut the length, serge/overlock and apply the hem tape, it's about 3/4" (about 2 cm) then use a double needle to sew. It comes out perfectly, no waves or puckering and looks almost like the original. You could actually skip the sewing if you want to.<br /> <a href="https://www.sewingpartsonline.com/products/heat-n-bond-fusible-hem-tape?variant=46927516565791&#038;msclkid=a744ef0ff12415f70543883dcfb11fde" rel="nofollow">https://www.sewingpartsonline......3dcfb11fde</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt#post-2374111 Mon, 11 Nov 2024 15:30:26 +0000 JAileen 2374111@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Brooklyn, I haven’t had the problems you mentioned. &nbsp;I sewed the hems by hand. &nbsp;That’s why I mentioned making sure the thread isn’t too tight. &nbsp;Here’s a polyester knit top I shortened a year or two ago. &nbsp;It was too long and I couldn’t wear it. &nbsp;I cut at least two inches off. &nbsp;I put&nbsp;in a line of pins, following the original hemline, and then folded over the fabric and pinned, and sewed by hand, allowing lots of give. &nbsp;This hem was also curved. &nbsp;It looks a little like Frankenstein inside - that’s for the give. &nbsp;The top hangs beautifully. &nbsp;It wasn’t difficult and didn’t cost $50, either. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt#post-2374108 Mon, 11 Nov 2024 14:37:18 +0000 sarah 2374108@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting! I've actually had good luck getting tees shortened with my local neighborhood tailor. But I'm wondering if this method would work for hemming jeans to keep the "weathered" look of the factory hem? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt#post-2374104 Mon, 11 Nov 2024 13:50:51 +0000 Jules 2374104@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is super interesting. It’s actually never occurred to me to want a tee shirt shortened - despite being short waisted and hippy. I like the rolled effect and will keep this in mind for future. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt#post-2374102 Mon, 11 Nov 2024 13:16:05 +0000 RobinF 2374102@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is the type of needle I used.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt#post-2374101 Mon, 11 Nov 2024 13:15:28 +0000 RobinF 2374101@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have been chopping off all of my tees lately. I quite like the look. I have done it to some sleeves too. I'm sure not all of my tees are 100% cotton but they feel like cotton. I am not sure what a viscose blend would do since I haven't tried that.</p> <p>I have also used a double needle to hem tees. It worked pretty well. I didn't wave but it did pucker a little bit, but probably only noticeable if looking at it very closely. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt#post-2374100 Mon, 11 Nov 2024 12:22:41 +0000 Lisa 2374100@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’ve never had tees shortened but this is so interesting. I have a lots of tees and a strong fondness for them so I’m taking notes for the future, thanks for sharing!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt#post-2374096 Mon, 11 Nov 2024 08:20:54 +0000 Brooklyn 2374096@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Star, I had one top that came back with a beautifully overlocked hem but still wavy. I was so sad about it. I wonder if it takes special skills or patience (even with the right tools)? Maybe it’s hard to assess the stretchiness of the fabric.</p> <p>ETA: by that I mean maybe it’s hard to get the tension right. But I don’t know enough about it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt#post-2374094 Mon, 11 Nov 2024 06:26:09 +0000 Star (Lise) 2374094@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am not a sewer but I had a close friend who was.&nbsp; She shortened many tees for me.&nbsp; I understand that it needs to be done with an 'overlocker' to prevent waviness on stretchy fabric</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt#post-2374092 Mon, 11 Nov 2024 06:08:23 +0000 Brooklyn 2374092@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good luck Jenni! I’d expect it to cost at least $30 here. That’s what it costs to have my jeans hemmed, which is an easier job. I’m not surprised it cost Bijou $50. I’ve been quoted that for skirt hems, which are trickier than jeans. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt#post-2374091 Mon, 11 Nov 2024 06:05:24 +0000 Brooklyn 2374091@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I might add you can also use method 1 to shorten the sleeves of a t-shirt. </p> <p>I tried method 2 to shorten the sleeves of a tee but it proved to be tricky because the cut sleeve diameter was not the same as the diameter of the sleeve hem. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt#post-2374090 Mon, 11 Nov 2024 06:02:15 +0000 Jenni NZ 2374090@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well thanks for the advice Brooklyn! I have not pinned it yet or talked to the local seamstress. I will be upset if the cost is going to be $50 as Bijou suggests. I think in NZ or Australia where our minimum wages are higher then the costs may well be more than in the US, but we’ll see. The factory hem is nice with a nice double row of stitching. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt#post-2374089 Mon, 11 Nov 2024 06:01:31 +0000 Brooklyn 2374089@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ah, I see! Yes, I think you could be right. Viscose is tricky! But I suspect a little bit of elastane (which is common in cotton tees) wouldn’t matter. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shortening-a-t-shirt#post-2374087 Mon, 11 Nov 2024 05:56:25 +0000 Suz 2374087@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sorry for the confusion. I just meant I thought that a 100% cotton knit might roll better than a knit made of a blend, of, say, viscose and cotton (or whqtevere). But I could be entirely wrong about that!&nbsp;</p> <p> </p>