SAP4LESS Project#1 T-Shirt Resize

This is my first blog for my new section on my blog- SAP4LESS. Why SAP4LESS? Strike-A-Pose 4 (for) less is what I mean. You can have your own fashion in thrifty and money saving ways. You don't have to spend more money for you to be dandy enough. This new section focuses on tips, sewing projects, new creations, and everything under fashion. So you can use this section as your guide for SAP4LESS.

This month, I bought a sewing machine as a gift to myself this year. I had many challenges in my life and experienced roller coaster. But this year, more on down ward position. I hope next year will be a fruitful and best year.

By the way, I bought Singer Promise 1408. It is their entry level household sewing machine.

My New Singer Promise 1408

Finally! I got you!

Why I bought a sewing machine? Hmm. To give you a brief background, I love sketching especially women and menswear. Aside from drawing some portraits and landscapes, I am fond of sketching trousers, coats, gowns, dresses, etc. and even shoes! Haha. But look what I am doing professionally, I am an IT Expert. Well, this is my creative side. My profession is an IT Expert but my hobby is designing!

Enough about me. As my first project using this sewing machine, I opened my wardrobe, dug all my old clothes especially my tees and look for oversize shirts. Normally, our relatives from abroad always give american size shirts as pasalubong (giveaways).

One of the sample is this:

An XL shirt

Proof: XL size. Yay!

What do we need for this project:

• Sewing Machine
• Tape Measure or Ruler or any measuring tools. 
• Tailor chalk (white for colored shirts, orange/dark for white/light colored shirts)
• Pin with head (plastic or glass heads)
• Cutting shears (for fabric only)
• Threads depending on what color of shirt you will be re-sizing.
• Cutting mat or board. (I used our bed so I can use the whole bed size as BIG pin cushion. LOL)
• Preferred shirt as your model/reference in re-sizing your large shirt.

1. Get the large shirt, turn inside out and lay it on the mat/board. Make sure every aspect of the shirt is flattened to get the accurate size of the shirt. Same thing with your preferred shirt, turn inside out. Lay the preferred shirt against the large shirt in mirror position (back to back). Pin them so the position of both shirts are in place.

 2. I draw the edges of the preferred shirt without the sleeves part. I used white tailor chalk so I can visibly see them on my large shirt. (white chalk on dark-colored shirts, and orange/black/yellow chalk for white one). We always put allowance at least an inch for edging or if you want double stitch for edging.

3. After putting the preferred size (without sleeves part) using tailor's chalk.

4. Cut the excess fabric of the overly sized shirt. Better use fabric shears. :)

5. Now, it is time for sleeves! Pattern the sleeves on top of the over sized shirt's sleeves. Use pins to make sure you have the right measurement and sizes all around the sleeves.

6. Of course, allowances on this side. Then remove the preferred shirt size.

7. Now, you have two sleeves and the sleeveless shirt. all are with allowances where you will sew it together.

8. Open the sleeveless shirt widely on the floor in this position (A) and pin the sleeves in this way (B)

(A)

(B)

9. Once done, after connecting both sleeves to the shirt, you are ready to sew!

10. I started sewing the sleeves part as this is a little difficult especially when you cut the sleeves not matched with the main shirt.

11. After you sew it, you can now edge stitch the remaining allowance. (I always use zigzag pattern even in the bottom part of the shirt)

12. Now! I can use it... :)

Being my first time to resize a shirt, it spent at least 2-3 hours to finish one. But I am happy with the result.

Now, I saved at least 400 pesos or more for new shirt.

Argh! I still have two boxes of shirts, long sleeves, and pants to resize. hahaha.

-phboyhenyo-