Reducing shirts by three dress sizes?

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Reducing shirts by three dress sizes?

Catlover

Active Member

Hello, everyone

I am new here, though I have been lurking for many years.

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.

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.

6 months ago

General

12 replies

Latest reply was from Joy

April

Veteran

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.

But I will watch with interest to see what someone who actually knows what they're talking about says.

6 months ago

Runcarla

Veteran

Three dress sizes is a lot, and a simple alteration to make them fit probably wouldn’t work. If you especially love the fabric/pattern, you might be able to take the shirt apart and recut to create a new garment/shirt.

6 months ago

RobinF

Veteran

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?

6 months ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

My condolences

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.

Also like the idea of making something else from the fabric, if you feel that way inclined. Best of luck.

6 months ago

L'Abeille

Veteran

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.
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.

6 months ago

Chris987

Veteran

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 to make it smaller, and then re-attaching the sleeves. I have done this a few times and it's really hard to make it look as good as the original garment so I'm not doing it again.. 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. 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 Angie's ideas are good - keep them in your closet as lovely reminder of your mum, or use the fabric for something else. Or as RobinF said them at their current size if that works ... L'abelle's 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!

6 months ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

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.

6 months ago

Jules

Veteran

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’.

6 months ago

Murph11

Veteran

If the fabric is cotton/cotton-blend, I'd make a quilt with the fabric

6 months ago

Catlover

Active Member

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.

6 months ago

Sal

Veteran

Sad news. Addressing your Mum's clothes is one of the more challenging things in a tough time. I kept one scarf that I wear and some jewelry. I think we will now remove her other clothes now, it has taken five years to get to that stage.

6 months ago

Joy

Veteran

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.

6 months ago

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