Change the Shape of a Shirt

Hello Readers. Do you like the color orange? I think it's cheerful and fun. When I found this orange linen skirt I really liked it a lot. When I found the striped linen shirt, I thought I had a good combo. The linen would be great in the summer. It is hot and humid where I live. It's like a sauna, I wish I was exaggerating. It gets super hot.

 

Before and after.

The skirt was great. It turned out to be a skort. Even better! If I go wild at the playground monkey-bars or fall down some steps, or get caught in the wind, I will be covered.

 (Yes, I have done all those things in a skirt. Embarrassing!)

The waist was a bit loose but the hips fit great. That happens to me with jeans too. I needed about an inch off each side of the waist to make it fit better and be less bulky with the belt it came with. 

I took a little off the waistband on both sides. I want it to symmetrical. By taking out a bit on each side the waist is not as bulky. I sewed with a zigzag stitch, at an angle to blend my new side seam in with the old side seam. I cut off the extra fabric when I was done. I just wanted it out of the way. The zigzag stitch will keep it from fraying.

I knew I wanted the shirt to be less of a bat-wing and more of a t-shirt shape. I drew my new side shape in blue chalk. I used blue so it would be visible in these pictures. The chalk marks wash out in the washer with no stains so they are helpful with marking fabric for sewing.  I made the sleeve go about 2 inches further into the body of the shirt and then curved the side of the shirt in slightly. 

I used my serger because it sews and cuts the shirt at the same time. It's such a time saver. If you don't have a serger, you can use scissors and cut the new shape you want and then use a zigzag stitch to keep the edge from fraying. (A good beginner serger is the Brother 1034D.)

 

The new shape of the shirt fits better and doesn't add bulk to my frame. My arms are more defined too. The skirt is less bulky at the waist as well. It feel better around my waist now. I didn't make either piece too tight or fitted. A little off the sides is all I needed. Thanks for reading along, now go make something fun for yourself.