topic Re: Do you know how to alter arm holes when they are too large? in Fashion

Do you know how to alter arm holes when they are too large?

house cat — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 22:53:15 GMT

If anyone can explain this clearly or direct me to a tutorial video I'd really appreciate it. I haven't found one that's helpful and I absolutely hate huge armholes on tops.

Thank you.

Re: Do you know how to alter arm holes when they are too large?

JustJazzmom — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 22:58:00 GMT

The only way to alter armholes is to take up the material at the shoulder (especially if its a tank top).

Re: Do you know how to alter arm holes when they are too large?

bjabuckeye — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 23:00:35 GMT

If it's a sleeveless top, there are 2 ways that I know of. You can either take in the seam at the shoulder or take in the side seam starting at the armhole and gradually tapering out to where you want the stitching to end. Unfortunately, if you don't have extra room in the top, this can make it too tight.

Bobbi

Re: Do you know how to alter arm holes when they are too large?

house cat — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 23:02:20 GMT

On 4/11/2014 bjabuckeye said:
If it's a sleeveless top, there are 2 ways that I know of. You can either take in the seam at the shoulder or take in the side seam starting at the armhole and gradually tapering out to where you want the stitching to end. Unfortunately, if you don't have extra room in the top, this can make it too tight.

Bobbi

I do have extra room and this is the technique I was imagining. I don't have a sewing machine, so this may be difficult to do, but I think I'm going to try it.

Re: Do you know how to alter arm holes when they are too large?

151949 — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 23:02:30 GMT

Assuming it is a sleeveless top you do have to take it up in the shoulder. If there are facings they have to be removed then after the sleeve size is fixed they have to be cut to fit the new opening and put back on. If it is a tank type top with no facings just take it up in the shoulder and make sure you do a neat job - finishing the raw edges.

Re: Do you know how to alter arm holes when they are too large?

luvmyteddy4 — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 23:07:27 GMT

If you know anything about sewing, I have sewn up the armholes by hand. It works if you have the patience and a good eye. I tack it down from the inside and just stitch. They charge a bunch if you take it to the tailor. I wish I had kept my sewing machine from years ago but I didn't.

Re: Do you know how to alter arm holes when they are too large?

Harpa — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 23:12:30 GMT

On 4/11/2014 happy housewife said:
Assuming it is a sleeveless top you do have to take it up in the shoulder. If there are facings they have to be removed then after the sleeve size is fixed they have to be cut to fit the new opening and put back on. If it is a tank type top with no facings just take it up in the shoulder and make sure you do a neat job - finishing the raw edges.

FYI: Taking it up at the shoulder is going to alter the neckline.

You may want to think about taking it in from the side seams.

Re: Do you know how to alter arm holes when they are too large?

Another new name Sue — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 23:19:42 GMT

What if it's a knit sleeveless top with a collar? Can you take it up at the outer edge of the armhole and then taper it into the collar, or is that going to look all wonky?

Oversized armholes! I cannot remember buying a sleeveless top with good armholes.

Re: Do you know how to alter arm holes when they are too large?

Classique — Sat, 12 Apr 2014 02:30:40 GMT

If you have a similar garment with armholes that fit the way you like, take it and use it as a pattern. Turn the one you want to take up inside out and then adjust it accordingly.

Or if you have someone to help you, try on your top and then have someone fit it to you. Imo the way you take it up or in would depend on the amount of adjustment needed primarily and then the way the garment is finished.

You want to keep the same fit through the bustline so you might throw that off if you just took it up at the shoulder seam, depending on the amount of adjustment needed. If it is a lot, I think you'd probably have to take some up at the shoulder and also at the sides.

Re: Do you know how to alter arm holes when they are too large?

Annabellethecat66 — Sat, 12 Apr 2014 02:41:51 GMT

How is it going to look right without a sewing machine? I used to make all of my own clothes when I worked.

I don't think it is going to look 'even'.

Re: Do you know how to alter arm holes when they are too large?

TrishaMntka — Sat, 12 Apr 2014 02:48:18 GMT

Here are some tutorials. I didn't watch, but another posting elsewhere recommended. Good luck!

http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=bojgafbgrca22lqsj5fesoiv27&topic=413821.0#axzz2ydGkC94Q

Re: Do you know how to alter arm holes when they are too large?

house cat — Sat, 12 Apr 2014 05:11:21 GMT

On 4/11/2014 luvmyteddy said:
If you know anything about sewing, I have sewn up the armholes by hand. It works if you have the patience and a good eye. I tack it down from the inside and just stitch. They charge a bunch if you take it to the tailor. I wish I had kept my sewing machine from years ago but I didn't.

I'm pretty good at sewing by hand. I think I'm going to try it. I had a nice sewing machine, but it walked away with my son a few years ago. He and DIL are artists. They like to buy clothes at Goodwill and "personalize" them. I think I can be pretty neat .. I just didn't know if that was the best way to go about it.

Thanks everyone for the advice!

Re: Do you know how to alter arm holes when they are too large?

okiebug — Sat, 12 Apr 2014 05:42:03 GMT

housecat, you can sew it by hand and taking it up under the arms shows up less. It probably has a binding, most tops do now instead of a facing, just take the binding off, pin it where it needs to be, take small stitches, maybe even sewing it twice for strength. If there's more than 1/2" of extra, you need to trim it off, then do an overcast stitch on the raw edge. Put the binding back on and you're done.