How to Lengthen a Shirt that’s too Short
How to Lengthen a Shirt that’s too Short

How to Lengthen a Shirt that’s too Short

***This Post Has Moved!***

It can now be found on our NEW blog BROhaha:

 

http://www.bro-haha.com/2012/02/18/how-to-lengthen-a-shirt-thats-too-short/

 

 

 

 

170 Comments

  1. Ldavistodd

    This is a great idea! Β I haven't been pregnant for 36 years, but some of my tee shirts do draw up in the length more that I would like. Β Plus, it really looks cute.

  2. Vildacyaya18

    That is really clever. Β But, why are we doing this? Β So the shirt does not go into the trash? Β I have to say that t-shirts are super cheap at Target and Walmart similar stores and the time and effort it takes to do this is expensive. Β In the time it would take me to complete this project, I could call 20 clients and set up meetings where I would make money to go out and buy the t-shirts. Β 

    Now, all of that said, I really, really do like the idea and I may try it. Β I am not 100% a curmudgeon or naysayer. Β Just part time…

  3. Vildachaya18

    If you pre-wash the fabric, nothing should happen. Β You should use fabric of similar content. Β For example, I would not use a cotton t-shirt and rayon material as many rayons are not washable. Β 

  4. Β Hey Krista! I have washed it and have not noticed a discernible difference with any shrinkage or change in size. Like someone else replied to you, it would probably depend on the type of fabric you chose and perhaps pre-washing {which I did not chose to do in this case} Hope that helps! πŸ™‚

  5. Β lol -I guess it depends on your personal situation! It's great that you can afford to just go buy something new when what you have doesn't work – not all of us have that luxury :). I already had the Tshirt and materials on hand {though fabric quarters are usually only .99 – $1.99 and I only used half of one.}

    I hope it works out for you if you decide to try it!

  6. LH

    This is seriously great! I have shirts that I wore a few years back that were ok at the time and they still fit ok, but like you, I'd rather have a longer shirt. I'm totally going to try this with those! Thanks for posting this!

  7. Michele

    I love this idea!Β  thank you for sharing.Β  It will be so nice to try this.Β  I too had the same post-pregnancy problem and already being tall with a long torso doesn't help.Β  I am so excited to try this.

  8. Sar

    I was going to ask the same question about it being difficult to pull on.Β  After two kids, I shouldn't have any "resistance" pulling it over my chest.Β Β Hardest part might be finding a bustline toΒ measure to.Β  lolΒ  I'll give it a try.Β  Found it on pinterest – thanks!

  9. Since the shirt was moderately loose to begin with, there's enough fabric where it only gives a little "resistance" when I pull it over my chest. {I didn't have any issues getting it over my head} I'm sure using a stretchier fabric would make it easier, especially it someones has a smaller/tighter shirt to begin with – I was just trying to use fabric I already had on hand πŸ™‚ If I do this again, I'll definitely try with a stretchier fabric!

  10. Melanie

    This is FANTASTIC…I too, like many of the other comments here have short t-shirts and have tried them when tank tops underneath…looks good for the first five minutes after you put it on, but as soon as you're in and out of the car etc, it's just a wad of material around my middle!! Β This is such a wonderful solution…and with the belt…wow!!! Β It looks so stylish…this with simple jeans is a whole new look to just a basic tshirt and jeans…I love it!!! Β Fantastic tutorial as well πŸ™‚ Β 

  11. Bren Shipman

    Terrific idea. I've got a boatload of shirts that need lengthening, so can't wait to get to this project. Very creative way of literally "stretching" our wardrobes!

  12. Slacksharon

    Thank you, thank you, thank you! Β I am 6 feet tall and have an identical twin who is 6' 1", and it's ridiculous finding shirts that are long enough, and we've had to toss many a cute shirts because they were unflatteringly short, and shopping at the store has always been a bummer because the shirts are always too short because our torsos are soo long. Β This solves everything! Β Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

  13. An Exercise In Frugality

    Just wanted to tell you that I love love love this idea. One of those things that is so simple yet completely changed my life! I always have shirts that are too short. lol Thanks so much for posting this tutorial. I run a frugal blog and featured this as one of the Frugal Pins of the Day (featured today, since I discovered it on Pinterest!) Thanks so much for sharing, you can read the post featuring your tutorial at http://anexerciseinfrugality.com/?p=646. Thanks again for the awesome tutorial!

  14. Joanne

    OH.MY.GOSH. That is the best idea I've seen in a looong time! I'm not a great sewer but I figure the worst that can happen is that I wreckΒ  the shirts | haven't wanted to wear anyways! Wondering if I can slice a piece of one shirt to add to another. Is it easy enough to sew two stretchier materials together? Thank you for posting this, and I have to say, you are very gracious regarding less than kind comments…:)

  15. aww, thank you! I'm sure it would work to use another Tshirt… and it would actually probably be easier to get on and off with a stretchier material! My only suggestions would be to use a lower "tension" on the foot, and go slowly. Also if you have lots of pins it should keep all the material lined up well. I'm certainly not an expert either, so I hope thatΒ  helps! && yes, I'm not sure why some people feel the need to say the things they do, but ya just gotta roll with the punches πŸ˜‰ Thanks for checking me out, I hope this works well for you!

  16. The Practical Mom Shop

    I just did this project in about 15 minutes! I used a serger, which I'm hoping will make the knit/non-knit seams have a little "give." I'm thrilled with how it worked! Thanks!!

  17. Kristi

    Do you think this would work with polo shirts? I have to wear polos at work and bought some from the women's department and they are quite short. I bought some others from the men's department and they are much longer…

  18. I don't see why not… the biggest "concern" would probably be just finding another material that works well with the polo fabric, but I wouldn't think that would be too hard? I always hated finding long enough polos back in highschool… most of them were barely long enough to tuck in! Sounds like they haven't improved much :-/

  19. Shelley

    What a mean, nasty thing to say! There's no need to be rude to her. You might think her shirt is hideous, but I think you have an ugly heart, and that is much, much worse than anything anyone could ever wear.

  20. Jindry

    That is a really smart and cute idea!!! I am not a big fan of orange but with the brown in the center it looks great!! I can't wait to see how the other shirts turned out. Kudos to you for finding a solution to the ultimate fashion problem most of us have.

  21. Many times I find sale t-shirts I like in coordinating colors. I could buy two in coordinating colors and then be able to use the same fabric for the band. It should look even more 'designed' that way. I have struggled with a long torso all my life and am now in my 60s.

  22. Stacie

    I am taking my first sewing class on Tuesday. I am super excited to try this on some of my post-pregnancy too short shirts. What a great idea! Thanks for posting (I pinned on Pinterest.)

  23. Nlg1965

    I decided I wanted to do this today with one of my shorter shirts. Measured, cut, stitched then tried it on. Love the way it looked, BUT, the additional fabric has NO give and I had MUCH trouble getting it on my chesty self, then it is too form fitting for my comfort, although very cute! Supposing I will disassemble and try a fabric with some stretch to it. Great idea though

    1. Violet Marie Fegan

      The stitching can be done by hand. I enjoy that method because it’s very relaxing and I can do it while watching a movie or listening to music. I’ll even take my sewing with me when I go to a coffee shop or anywhere where I’m going to hang out for a while. πŸ˜€

      1. Violet Marie Fegan

        Another idea would be to add a lace piece at the bottom. Some lace have scalloped or other types of edges. Think about weaving silk ribbon in and out of the lace and tying it into a bow in front.

  24. Β That's been one thing I've gotten the most feedback about lol! I think I got lucky that it was a loose enough shirt that it wasn't really a problem – however if I were to do it over, a stretchier fabric I'm sure would have made it easier! Sorry it didn't work out for you πŸ™ Hopefully the new fabric helps!

  25. Earla

    I am sure a lot of people feel the way I do when I think, Why didn't I think of that?. Nice job and tutorial! I have 4 shirts that I recently bought and am going to be doing this to them!

    1. Judy Holcomb

      I did this with a couple of small hidden pockets in the addition to tuck in money or cell phone, keys, if didn’t want to carry a purse or if working out in the yard … glad to see people are doing so much repurposing of good clothing.. the second hand stores are filled with nice clothing that can be repurposed or altered if someone has the time and means to do it… I make beautiful gifts out of some of these great buys..
      also good quilting materials if I find embroidered or theme clothing that provides unique quilting squares (logo t-shirts are another idea for memory quilts of kids’ clothing) I have accumulated so many project ideas from people like you guys that I want to try them all but don’t enough years left to try everything… such talented and creative people out there.. thank you for sharing..

  26. Jessica

    Usually not many women wear a belt with jeans then also wear a belt around their waist, but clearly it works very well and looks great! That solves your fitting problem, very creative!

  27. Jessica

    I forgot to say why. πŸ™‚ I'm tall and thin and so my jeans usually require a belt, like you sometimes my tops are short, and I see a slight belt bulge under my shirt. This idea draws attention away so you don't even notice the belt I'm wearing underneath so my pants can stay up LOL but I'm guessing seeing two belts at once wouldn't work?

  28. Pingback: Easy DIY: How to Lengthen a Shirt that's too Short -

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *