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How to turn an oversized tee in to a skinny tee - revisited!
Okay, so this was one of the first projects I ever made for CO+K about 3 years ago and when I did it, I shot it on my camera phone. Here's a new and improved version of this how-to, shot on a proper camera and this time I finish off the arms and bottom of the tee properly.

Posted by Cat Morley from London, United Kingdom • Published See Cat Morley's 1145 projects »
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  • How to resize a resized top. Resizing Tees - Step 1
    Step 1

    Start off with an oversized tee that you'd like to reduce.

  • How to resize a resized top. Resizing Tees - Step 2
    Step 2

    Find another tee, one that fits perfectly and the way you want the oversized tee to fit.

  • How to resize a resized top. Resizing Tees - Step 3
    Step 3

    Turn the large tee inside out and lay it out neatly on a flat surface. Lay the smaller tee on top of the larger one, so that the necklines of both of the tees are aligned.

  • How to resize a resized top. Resizing Tees - Step 4
    Step 4

    Draw around the outline of the smaller tee on to the larger one, using tailors chalk if you're working on a dark tee or charcoal if you're working on a lighter tee.

  • How to resize a resized top. Resizing Tees - Step 5
    Step 5

    Remove the smaller tee and place pins around the outline you drew, pining through both the front and the back of the tee.

  • How to resize a resized top. Resizing Tees - Step 6
    Step 6

    Pin around the whole outline of the smaller tee.

  • How to resize a resized top. Resizing Tees - Step 7
    Step 7

    Cut around the sides of the tee, removing excess fabric but leaving a one inch allowance around the outside. Don't cut the bottom of the tee yet.

  • How to resize a resized top. Resizing Tees - Step 8
    Step 8

    Now, take the bottom edge and fold up, so that the tee is at the desired length. You can use the smaller tee for guidance at this point. Pin along the bottom edge.

  • How to resize a resized top. Resizing Tees - Step 9
    Step 9

    Repeat with the back of the tee, ensuring the both sides are at the correct height, and pin in place.

  • How to resize a resized top. Resizing Tees - Step 10
    Step 10

    Cut off the excess fabric but leave a one inch allowance.

  • How to resize a resized top. Resizing Tees - Step 11
    Step 11

    Now it's time to fix up the arms. Remove a couple of pins, so that they don't get in your way.

  • How to resize a resized top. Resizing Tees - Step 12
    Step 12

    Fold back the fabric of the tee, so that the sleeve is at the desired length and pin in to place. Once again, you can use the smaller tee for reference. Repeat with the other sleeve, ensuring their both at the same length.

  • How to resize a resized top. Resizing Tees - Step 13
    Step 13

    Now it's time to bring out the sewing machine. Start by sewing along the edge of the bottom of the tee. Remove a few pins from each side before you begin, then sew along the front and then the back, before returning the pins back to their original positions.

  • How to resize a resized top. Resizing Tees - Step 14
    Step 14

    Now along the ends of the sleeves, once again removing a couple of pins from the bottom, sewing along the hem, and then returning the pins.

  • How to resize a resized top. Resizing Tees - Step 15
    Step 15

    Now it's time to sew along the sides of the tee. Start at the bottom of the sleeve and then sew right along the outline to the bottom of the tee, removing the pins as you go. Repeat with the other side.

  • How to resize a resized top. Resizing Tees - Step 16
    Step 16

    Finally, cut off any excess fabric, turn the tee inside out and you're all done!

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Comments

Danae C.
Danae C.
thanks, i really needed this! Happy
Reply
Kristin Komatta
Kristin Komatta
my friend went to a concert i wanted to go to (but couldn't) and bought me a shirt. unfortunately, it was huge. i did this and now it's all nice and snug. i left the sleeves the original size because they weren't disproportionally massive and baggier sleeves keeps a boyfriend's tee sort of look.
Reply
Jacqueline S.
Jacqueline S. · 6 projects
Thanks so much! I hate loose fitting clothes and so I used this on some of my larger shirts and I love wearing them now!
Reply
Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit
Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit
what kind of stitching did you use?
Reply
ɐɯlɐ!
ɐɯlɐ! · 1 project
this helped.. A LOT.
Reply
harrylaa
harrylaa · 20 projects
This is so helpful. Thank you!
Reply
Stephanie
Stephanie · Central Coast, New South Wales, AU · 31 projects
I have a Foo Fighters shirt which is a guys XXXL it looks like a double sized doona cover on me lol... This is perfect...THANKS CAT
Reply
Samantha B.
Samantha B. · Melbourne, Victoria, AU · 9 projects
I just tried this yesterday with a shirt my fiance bought me years ago that i havent been able to wear cause its too big and it worked out awesomely! Thanks for much, i have a cool new t-shirt!
Reply
Alicia R.
Alicia R.
This totally works, and it's so easy! Can't believe I never thought of it before!
Reply
Max
Max · Nederland, Colorado, US · 10 projects
That's an awesome idea, thanks for the how-to. : D
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