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Alter Clothes

Learn all these sewing and alterations you can do yourself to make your wardrobe fit well and last longer. Don’t pay for these alterations!

Clothing is made to fit an average body that doesn’t exist. It’s the average measurements of people done by doctors from more than fifty years ago. It’s really hard to get ready to wear clothing fit you perfectly right off the rack. It’s great to learn simple ways to alter clothes to get a beautiful, custom fit. A custom fit is the best way to make your clothing look well-made and expensive.

There are lots of ways to alter clothes like lengthening or shortening hems, taking in the sides or letting out the sides, adding darts or removing darts, lengthening or shortening sleeves, mending holes, etc.

There is no end to what you can do with clothing, and you can even do additionaly refashions like adding a skirt, chopping off sleeves, and adding pockets to make something you love.

A lot of these clothing alterations work well for women’s clothing, but the majority of these work for all: men, women, and children. You can always take excess fabric in, and you can often let clothing out by using the side seams or adding fabric.

Should I prewash the item?

If you have not washed the item yet, and it doesn’t fit the way you want, then I recommend washing and drying the item the way you will treat it when you wash and wear it. You want the fabric to shirnk or settle into the way it’ll be permanently. Then any changes you make will be accurate.

The Basics of altering clothing:

  1. Put the garment on with the correct underwear and shoes on.
  2. Check to see if the seam lines are in the right place.
  3. What parts of the clothing need to be taken in or let out?
  4. Is there a seam where you can take in or let out?
  5. Satefy pin the excess to measure how much is needed.
  6. Do the alteration by seam ripping open all the sections adding or removing extra fabric.

Read the articles below for details on each way to alter!

jean waist too big
Alter Clothes

How to Take in the Waist of Jeans with Elastic

Learn how to take in the waist of jeans with elastic for a quick and simple fix. This alteration is great for getting the waistband of jeans to fit! Do…

Read More How to Take in the Waist of Jeans with ElasticContinue

hem jeans with original hem
Alter Clothes

How to Hem Jeans with the Original Hem

Learn how to hem jeans by reusing the original hem. Shorten your denim pants and keep the same look! Jeans are purchased with a loved and worn look. All the…

Read More How to Hem Jeans with the Original HemContinue

how to cuff shorts
Alter Clothes

How to Hem Shorts with a Cuff

Learn how to hem shorts with a cuff for a casual and fun look. This sewing tutorial requires minimal sewing and can be done by hand. I love wearing shorts…

Read More How to Hem Shorts with a CuffContinue

How to Make a One Piece Into a Tankini
Alter Clothes | Refashion

How to Make a One Piece Into a Tankini

Learn how to make a one piece into a tankini. This refashion project is great for a one piece swimsuit that is too short or long in the torso. I…

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How to Alter Jeans: 12 Tutorials
Alter Clothes

How to Alter Jeans: 11 Tutorials

Learn how to alter jeans at the waist and hem, and how to fix holes and fix zippers. Save your favorite jeans and make them fit perfectly. It’s so hard…

Read More How to Alter Jeans: 11 TutorialsContinue

How to Crop Jeans after
Alter Clothes

How to Crop Jeans

Learn how to crop jeans to the right length to get the popular raw edge look. This is an easy project and doesn’t require a sewing machine. Do you have…

Read More How to Crop JeansContinue

How to Lengthen Jacket Sleeves // heatherhandmade.com
Alter Clothes | Refashion

How to Lengthen Sleeves of a Jacket

Learn how to lengthen sleeves of a jacket using a sweater or socks. This is a great upcycle for gettings sleeves to be long enough! With this simple refashion tutorial…

Read More How to Lengthen Sleeves of a JacketContinue

how to shorten sleeves of a button up shirt
Alter Clothes

How to Shorten Sleeves of a Button Up Shirt

Learn how to shorten sleeves of a button up shirt to get the right fit. This is a simple alteration to make your sleeves the right length. Everyone needs alterations…

Read More How to Shorten Sleeves of a Button Up ShirtContinue

cut pants into shorts
Alter Clothes

How to Cut Pants into Shorts

Learn how to cut pants into shorts for the summer heat. This easy sewing alteration is a great way to give pants or jeans new life! Whenever summer starts, I…

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How to Make a Shirt Bigger
Alter Clothes

How to Make a Shirt Bigger

Learn how to make a shirt bigger by sewing fabric panels into each side seam. This is a great fix for shirts that are just a little tight. I made…

Read More How to Make a Shirt BiggerContinue

how to hem jeans
Alter Clothes

How to Hem Jeans

Learn how to hem jeans by measuring the desired length, cutting off the excess fabric, and sewing a new hem. It’s a beginner sewing project! Buying clothing from the store…

Read More How to Hem JeansContinue

How to Fix a Hole in a Sweater
Alter Clothes

How to Fix a Hole in a Sweater

Learn how to fix a hole in a sweater with just some thread and a hand needle. This quick and easy fix doesn’t need a sewing machine. I love wearing…

Read More How to Fix a Hole in a SweaterContinue

leggings cut into shorts
Alter Clothes

How to Cut Leggings into Shorts

Learn how to cut leggings into shorts. If your leggings have holes in the knees this is a great way to still use them as shorts! Have you worn holes…

Read More How to Cut Leggings into ShortsContinue

add pocket to leggings
Alter Clothes | Refashion

How to Add a Side Pocket to Leggings

Learn how to add a side pocket to leggings perfect for a phone. Leg pockets are my favorite pocket to have on leggings! One of my favorite things to do…

Read More How to Add a Side Pocket to LeggingsContinue

How to Add Sleeves to a Strapless Dress
Alter Clothes

How to Add Sleeves to a Strapless Dress

Learn how to add sleeves to a strapless dress by sewing on thick straps and flutter sleeves. This is a quick alteration to make a dress more wearable! Strapless and…

Read More How to Add Sleeves to a Strapless DressContinue

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HI, I’M HEATHER!

I believe small sewing moments can create great joy. Find your own “right” way to sew. Learn more about my sewing journey.

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  • Start Here
    • Learn How to Sew
    • Sewing Clothing: A Beginners Guide
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Newsletter Signup!
  • Sewing Projects and Tutorials
    • Sewing 101
    • Easy Gifts to Sew
    • Baby Sewing Projects
    • Holiday Sewing Projects
      • Valentine Sewing Projects
      • Summer Sewing Projects
      • 4th of July Sewing Projects
      • Back to School Sewing Projects
      • Fall Sewing Projects
      • Halloween Sewing Projects
      • Christmas Sewing Projects
    • Home Sewing Projects
    • Clothing Alterations
    • DIY Costumes
    • Refashion
    • Upcycling
  • Free Sewing Patterns
    • Free Sewing Patterns for Kids
    • Free Baby Sewing Patterns
    • Free Christmas Sewing Patterns
    • Free Halloween Sewing Patterns
    • How to Get My Free Sewing Patterns
  • Shop
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