How to fix a dress shirt that’s too big

Tutorial

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Have you ever found the perfect shirt at the thrift store only to realize it’s too big? Or lost enough weight that you needed to alter a button down shirt to fit? I’ve got the perfect tutorial for you! This video will walk you through how to fix a dress shirt that’s too big, including shortening sleeves, altering bust darts and taking in the sides. Watch the full video below!

Have you ever found the perfect shirt at the thrift store only to realize it's too big? Or lost enough weight that you needed to alter a button down shirt to fit? I've got the perfect tutorial for you! This video will walk you through how to fix a dress shirt that's too big, including shortening sleeves, altering bust darts and taking in the sides. This thrift store fashion tutorial will help you make any shirt your new favorite one!

Hey guys! I’m excited for today’s refashion where I’m taking a (way) too big button down dress shirt that I found at the thrift store and altering it to fit perfectly! A quality button down shirt should fit well in the shoulders, bust and waist and I’ll show you how to fix all these areas to make an extra large button down shirt fit like a glove.



All you’ll need for this simple alteration refashion is a traditional sewing machine with matching thread as well as thread and a needle to do a little bit of hand sewing. My favorite part is probably the shorter, cuffed sleeves so that I can even wear this shirt throughout the crazy heat of our Arizona summers.

Button down shirts can seem complicated but when working with a ready-to-wear shirt (i.e. store-bought shirt), the hardest part is already done for you! This project will also improve your sewing skills and knowledge of clothing construction and fitting as we take this shirt apart and then put it back together as a well-fitting, staple clothing item you’ll wear over and over again!

Watch the video below and let me know if you have any questions! And I’d also love to know what other kinds of tutorials and refashions you’d like to see me cover next. Thanks for watching!



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    DIY Short-Sleeve Button-Down Shirt: Sewing Pattern Details • Bonnie and Blithe
    October 26, 2021 at 5:59 pm

    […] out some other favorite handmade shirts like this gingham wrap top, this dress shirt refashion and this maternity friendly […]

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