Fitting a T-shirt

[eldritch_panda]

Hey everyone!

I am a total noob. In fact, I will soon touch a sewing machine for the first time in my life. So I apologize ahead of time for any blunders I make. Hopefully it won't be too bad.

I am planning on refitting some t-shirts this weekend using this YouTube video tutorial. However, I also need to bring in the shoulders. The seam hits about an inch or so below my shoulders, which makes the sleeves too long. I could just take up the sleeves, yet I worry that it'll cause the shirt to look awkward. Does anyone have any tutorials/advice on taking up the shoulders of a shirt?

Also, if anyone has any easy beginner tutorials they'd like to share I'd love to hear them.

Thank you for your time and attention.

Comments

[stlscape]

If you're a newbie to sewing, you might do better to use a pattern. I'm NOT trying to be offensive to your newbie-ness AT ALL, but adjusting sleeves and taking in armholes AND making the end result look nice is nowhere as easy as it sounds (spoken from having sewn/adjusted clothes for 43 years.)

I've seen this pattern http://www.pamelaspatterns.com/Store_ProductDetail.aspx?pid=49EFB43A6CBE2F24 highly, highly recommended, although I don't personally know anyone who's used it.

If you don't want to use a pattern, then you might consider making a seam down the front and back of the shirt from the middle of the shoulder seam, passing over your nipple, and then going straight down to the hem (this is a form of princess seam).

[eldritch_panda]

I understand and you're probably right re: it not being as easy as it sounds. Thanks for offering advice. :)

I looked at the pattern and I'm not sure if it would be helpful since I have G sized breasts and often wear a size 30. The pattern says the high bust goes to 45", which sounds too small for me and I don't have any experience with patterns or trying to size them up. Do you think it would be easier to size up a pattern than to try the process myself (with the understanding that neither of these are necessarily easy).

[lilacsigil]

I have very big hips compared to the rest of my body, and I haven't found sizing up difficult as long as it's no more than 25cm or so and I'm careful with matching up pieces.

[eldritch_panda]

Excellent. Thanks so much. I'll look into the pattern then.

[stlscape]

If you're using a pattern, get one where the neck and shoulders fit you. Changing the sizing of everything else is much easier.

I'd also suggest that you look up "full bust adjustment". Most commercial patterns are made for a "B" cup. The full bust adjustment looks complicated, but if you take it step by step, it's really quite easy.