How to Alter a Sweater​ That's a Bit Too Tight

If you’re wondering how to alter a sweater that’s a bit too tight, I’m going to show you how to make a sweatshirt bigger in this tutorial.

When something doesn’t fit right, there’s always a solution. You just have to get a bit creative.

I’ll guide you through adding some panels to your tight sweatshirt so it fits better and has a funky new design element.

Tools and materials: 

• Tight sweatshirt
• Old shirt or fabric
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Pins

1. Cut off the waistband

Start by cutting off the bottom of the sweatshirt and set that aside. We’ll reattach that after we add in our panels.

2. Cut openings for the panels

Take your scissors and cut in a straight line from the bottom of the sweatshirt up to the point between the neck and the sleeve.

Cut off that entire section, front and back.

Use that sleeve to measure and cut the other side evenly, matching it to the first side.

Make sure to mark which sleeve is the right side and which is the left side. I did this by using 2 different color pins. Then set those aside.

3. Cut fabric for panels

Now, take the shirt or fabric you’re using to create the panels.

Measure the length to match the length from the bottom of the back to the bottom of the front of the sweatshirt.

Measure the width at 2 to 2.5 inches. Cut 2 strips.

4. Sew the panels to the sweatshirt

First, lay everything out to get clear on what’s going where.

If you don’t have an overlock machine, you can sew with a straight stitch and then sew a zigzag stitch right above it.

5. Reattach the sleeves

Now, we’re going to attach the sleeve portion of the sweatshirt back on using the same method.

Start at the shoulder seam and stitch down the front. Then go back to the shoulder seam and stitch down the back.

Again, use a straight stitch and add a zigzag stitch to prevent fraying.

Repeat the above steps to attach the second panel and sleeve to the other side of the sweatshirt.

6. Reattach the waistband

Trim any extra fabric off the bottom of the panels at the bottom of the sweatshirt.

Now you can reattach the bottom hem. Flip the hem up so the right sides are facing in with the bottom of the sweatshirt.

Line up the side seams and then you can start sewing. Just make sure to stretch the band as you’re stitching it back on, as your sweatshirt is now wider.

How to alter a sweater​

I hope you enjoyed learning how to upcycle a sweatshirt to make it fit perfectly. You’ll get so much more use out of it now.

If you were wondering how to make a sweater bigger you can use the same technique.

Upcycling is the best way to get more bang for your buck and tailor your clothes to fit just right.

Leave me a comment to let me know how your sweatshirt came out.