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

house cat · ‎08-23-2012

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.

JustJazzmom · ‎03-09-2010

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

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bjabuckeye · ‎03-14-2010

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

house cat · ‎08-23-2012

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.

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

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.

luvmyteddy4 · ‎09-04-2010

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.

Harpa · ‎03-10-2010

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.

Another new name Sue · ‎03-11-2010

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.

Classique · ‎09-07-2010

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.