Living in the Nashville area, I guess it’s only fitting that I have a great love of music. Of course, my tastes runs more towards the pop-punk genre than country, but there’s still a plethora of great concerts that come into Music City. And I take my girls to as many of them as I possibly can. So after the show wraps up, we head to the merch booth and stock up on stuff to remember the event, as well as add to their t-shirt collections. Me personally? Because I’m a plus size girl, I was always afraid to buy them. But after seeing my absolute favorite band, I knew I had to snag one – then I got it home and couldn’t wear it. Bummer, huh? You know me, though! I’m gonna make it work. So I figured out how to make a t-shirt bigger. Yeah, I did! Wanna do it yourself?
First things first, you need a t-shirt. I used a concert tee, but you can use any type you want (it’s your closet!)
Alrighty, now we’re gonna cut it. That’s the hardest part. I almost cried a little when I cut into mine the first time. Take a deeeeep breath, then you’re going to flatten it out and cut all the way up the side through the bottom of the arm. You also want to cut off the hem on each arm, just right past the stitches (sorry, no photo of that step.)
Now you need something to fill in to make the sides bigger. You can do it with t-shirt material from the fabric store, but I found a couple of other solutions that work way better. Either take a matching maxi skirt (I always do black) or you can use yoga pants. Look for them on the clearance racks and you can do 2 shirts out of either one. If you use these, then you’ll already have a hem on the bottom edge, making the whole process much faster. If you can’t find matching, then get coordinating ones – that would look good, too. I just always buy black tees, then I know I need black filler fabric. Easy peasy.
Cut a piece, starting with the hem, and make it a little longer than the side plus sleeve – but you want to taper it slightly from the hem up. To take an XL shirt to a Β 3X, I cut about 6 inches wide at the bottom and go up to about 5 inches on the top. Slightly tapered is perfect. Just make sure you don’t have any hems on the cuts, and you can cut both pieces at once if you just lay out the pants/skirt out flat.
Starting from the bottom, line up the hems right side together and sew it up one side, from the bottom all the way up through the bottom of the sleeve.
Now on the other side of the same cut, line up the other edge of that same piece and stitch it together. (Make sure you back-stitch at the beginning and end.)
After you finish the first side, then you can use the second piece to do the other side. When it’s all sewn together, each side will look like the one above. ^^^^^^^
After you do both sides, you’ll have the excess dangling from the arms, so just trim it off using the already trimmed sleeve as a guide to make it straight.
Once you have them trimmed, also check to make sure you trimmed all the strings from sewing it all up.
The very last step is cut out the neck (because it’s probably too small, too) and luckily t-shirt material doesn’t unravel, so it just gives it a fun/edgier look. Works great with concert tees, huh?
So that’s how to make a t-shirt bigger! And bonus? It only takes about 15 minutes!
Got questions? Drop them in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer them down there!
Esther says
Great job.
Allison says
That’s great! I’m plus sized too (bigger than a 3X tho). Just great. I’m gonna get me to that clearance rack ASAP!
Kim Kramer Brooks says
I had no idea you were in the Nashville area! Me too! I’m newish ton your blog but really enjoy it! Just wanted to say, “Howdy neighbor!”
Val says
Great idea once again Gina…thanks!
Angela says
Hey Gina, Really like your blog. Great ideas. I live in the north Alabama area and visit Nashville and surrounding areas often.
Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl says
Gina, you are brilliant!! Love that you bought yourself a concert shirt AND made it work!!
Jan Wilson says
Hi, Gina! As a 74-year-old ex-crafter, and an antique shop/restaurant owner, artist, interior designer, and generally a DIAY-er (do-it-all-yourself-er), I really appreciate your talent and inventive mind, and am continually impressed with you and your wide-ranging, creative ideas. Keep up the good work!
Linda says
i was born and raised in Donelson (by Opryland). I was just curious where you live. I have been a follower for a while now and I love your blog.
Christa says
Great idea! You can also cut the logo out of the existing t shirt and sew it with a raw edge onto a t shirt that fits. I’ve done that and it looks pretty cool! Plus, I always cut the neck out of t shirts! Looks so much cooler that way :).
Love the blog and the ideas!
Tamdeva says
I have “thought” of doing just what you that, but never did! Now I am going too. Also I cut the neck out of t-shirts too, otherwise I feel they are choking me!
Gina Luker says
Go for it, you will love it and feel so much more comfortable π
D'Lesa says
If you wanted to make a 4x out of a 1x, & you have 2 T’s, inserting the other 1 on the sides. How many inches do you allow for the inside? I realize that its 3 inches lager, so do I need 3 inches on each side? So, 1 & 1/2″ on each side, front & back? 3 ” inseams/insert on each side?
Kathy says
This is a great idea, too!
Gina Luker says
Thanks Kathy π
Ace says
This is a really neat trick! I’ll be able to wear my sons old shirts!
Shannon says
This is SO awesome, thank you!!
S. Harris says
Awesome! I have SO MANY t-shirts from my *youth* that are too small that I just cannot bare to toss. I would LOVE to wear some of them again. Especially my band t’s, just like yours! Thanks for the easy and incredibly helpful tutorial. Happy Holidays!
Jessica says
So I’m wishing I had found you so much sooner but I love this! I have the same problem and is it just me or does it seem as though the sizes get smaller every few years?! And you live in Nashville, which is about an hour away. Honestly, that, for some reason to me, just makes this whole thing so much better.
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MoshPitMom says
This is a great conversion, but my way is even easier but can only work if your shirt is only a size or two too small. I just wash it in cold and take it out and stretch the cotton out into the longer A-Line shape with extra room in the bust that works best for me. Then let AIR DRY. NOTE: you must ALWAYS let these babies AIR DRY, especially if you are lengthening the shirt as well as widening it! Once it’s try I cut the out the crew neck and let ‘er ROCK!
Laura says
Thatβs what I do too! I buy toss it in dryer when itβs totally air dried so itβs softer.
Kristy says
Awesome! It even looks more punk & cool now. π
Jolene says
I’ve been wanting to do this. I help out at local concerts and we have t-shirts, but I’m so large they don’t fit so I’m the only one who can’t wear it and I stick out sorely.
But i can’t sew. Lol
I’m totally going to grab some shirts from goodwill though to get matching fabric.
Sue at Blu says
Genius! And you make it look so easy that I can do it!
Sandra M. Semkiw says
Great Job. This is actually called “adding a gusset”. The basic principle works on lots of stuff. And you took away the fear factor for Non-Sewers.
Nicki says
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’m just crafty enough to pull this off and put a bunch of awesome shirts that I’ve bought but could never wear back into circulation!
Chanda says
I’ve actually done this but I used a triangle of fabric instead of a gradual taper. Turned out like a maternity top. Then I thought about what you did here and now thanks to you I have a visual to follow. Thanks for helping your robusties stay cute!
Kaija Olson says
Do you know if you can do this with lace too? Thought lace on the sides might be cute, but VERY new to sewing!
Amber says
I would find a lace with “stretch” to it (they make it) and then I think it would be cute.
Jane says
You so rock!!! We were given several cool T-shirts that are just a little to small. Going to tear one apart right now and surprise when she gets home from school. Thanks
Tori says
Oh Gina!! I Love this! Mostly because I did the same thing to a few scrub tops. =) Being plus size makes it hard sometimes to get the right fit. I’m round, but not busty. The tops were tight across my back. I added a three inch strip up the seams like you did and they fit wonderfully! Love your blog! I’m a fellow Tennessean =P
Pamela Smith says
I know you posted this awhile ago, but I have been saving it because I knew the time would come when my daughter would need a shirt made larger. Sure enough, the time came! I was so glad to have your easy to understand directions. I am not much of a sewer, but this made it easy. Thanks again for posting this!
Melissa says
Thank you for posting this – it is EXACTLY what I needed for a Hard Rock shirt I bought on eBay. If I can cut it without crying, I’m pretty sure I can do the rest!
Kayla says
I just had to comment that I have the same fob shirt and it is my favorite piece of merch. Now i know i can alter it if i need it to be a little bigger, rather than just putting it in my t-shirt frame when i can’t wear it anymore. π
samantha young says
i LOVE this idea but i have a shirt that the front and back are a chiffon material and the sleeves are stretchy and cotton and dont need to be made bigger just the shiffon part… would the process be the same or different ??
Gina Luker says
I’m not sure about chiffon, cotton doesn’t unravel when it is cut. You might get a scrap piece of chiffon from the fabric store and test it out before trying it on your shirt. Good luck!
Angela says
I just wanna say your blog is awesome. Keep up the good work. I have one question. (Good idea btw) I have two long sleeve shirts that are a medium. I wear an extra large. I’ve had the shirts for bout 4 years now and would love to be able to wear em. But the shirts are a very thin cottony stretchy material. My question is how can I make it bigger? I can send pics of the shirt if need be. I really would like to be able to wear them again. Thanks fir your help.
Gina Luker says
Thanks Angela! I give full instructions on how to make a t-shirt bigger in this post π Sounds like your shirts are similar so it should work just fine!
Amber says
If you don’t have enough fabric to run the length of the long sleeves, could you just cut them and make the short sleeves? Or even 3/4?
Amy says
Thank you ! I’ve done this with four shirts now, and it’s made such a difference. I’m a librarian, and a big lady, and I love to wear smart, literary t-shirts to work, but they are rarely found in my size (4x/5x). And when they are, they are invariably more expensive. Now I have a new wardrobe, in awesome shirts! Plus, they fit better than many of the plus size t-shirts out there. The shoulder seam actually sits at my shoulder! I now keep an eye out in thrift stores for cotton jersey lounge/sleep pants, knowing that I can use them to upcycle a good tee. Yay!
Gina Luker says
Oh yea Amy! I am so glad to hear this!! I love your literary shirt idea!! You go girl π
Karen Rapp says
So glad I found your make-a-tee-larger site. It gives me some confidence to cut two long-sleeved stretchy-fleece 4X shirts that I got my sister, who is in a nursing home (needs 6X) and then add a piece of similar but different color stretchy fleece to the sides and arms. I bought the fabric but decided to do a search for anyone else who has done it. And that’s how I found you! Thanks for the Show-How!!
Gina Luker says
It is my pleasure Karen!
I’m so glad you found me too π That sounds like the perfect solution for you…and your sister π Good luck to you π
Adelia says
I was just thinking about doing this so thank you, awesome!
Gina Luker says
Oh yea! Go for it Adelia π
PJ says
Great ideas here, even in the comments!!!
Gina Luker says
Thanks PJ! Our readers are the best π
Nina Quinn says
Love your great idea. I earned a custom t-shirt from work and the largest size they could order doesn’t fit. I’m going to do just what you suggested and wear my shirt with honor. By the way my daughter loves Fall out Boy, we have enjoyed their concerts and she has the exact same shirt in your example!
Gina Luker says
That is awesome Nina! Congrats on your t-shirt and good luck with making it fit, you’ll do great! Tell your daughter I said she has great taste π
Anna says
Thank you so much!! My son was so sad that his little league tshirt was so tight ( they only give out youth sizes and he is 11!) I was able to make it super comfortable for him and he is so happy! Thank you!!
Gina Luker says
Oh yea! I am so glad Anna π
LINDA says
If you put double (or triple even) fabric softener in your rinse cycle you can stretch the fabric easily by putting your arms in the body and stretching outward then do the same with just your hands inthe sleeves. Then hang and gently shape and allow to dry.
If jeans shrink in length, do the samewith fabric softener, then button the waist, grab one side of waist and stand on the very bottom of that leg and pull up on waist hard…same with other leg and voila! You can stretch the waist and hips too by grabbing each side. Then hang to dry!
Gina Luker says
Wow!! Thanks so much for the tip Linda!!
Kim says
Love this idea…gotta try it. Thank you for sharing.
Gina Luker says
My pleasure Kim!
Lin Simpson says
Love this idea! So many other blogs show how to make things smaller, has been frustrating to say the least. I hear you about the pain of cutting into a treasured shirt. I have lots of biker event t’s that I love but are just a too small to wear anymore. Each one has a memory of an event and now I have a way to wear them again. Of course, my first attempt will not be with one of these treasured shirts. π
Thank you for the insights
Gina Luker says
Thanks Lin, I am happy to hear you will practice on a non treasured shirt π Good luck!