I recently spied a darling white blouse on a $10 clearance rack. The style was reminiscent of Kate Spade. I could easily imagine how versatile the blouse would be and began searching the racks searching for my size. There was none to be found. Don’t you just HATE that? My choice was either a size 2 (never gonna happen) and a size 12. The 12 was way too big. You can see a definite gap in the underarm area. But here is An Easy Way To Fix A Blouse That is Too Big.
An Easy Way To Fix A Blouse That is Too Big
Here’s another angle showing an improper fit.
How To Make A French Seam
I studied the blouse and saw that the manufacturer had finished the sides of the blouse with a French seam. You often see a French seam on pillowcases or sheer fabrics. It is, in essence, an enclosed seam that has a very finished look. You can find multiple tutorials on the web but they can sometimes be difficult to understand.
I simply took the blouse and determined how much I would need to take in on each side for it to fit and pinned it in place on the right side (the outside of the blouse if you will). I then sewed a straight stitch using the existing stitched seam as my guideline.
Here is another look where you can plainly see the front of the blouse and my newly sewn side seam.
You then take scissors and trim away the old sewn seam.
Then press open the new seam.
Then turn the blouse inside out and sew another seam that is wider than the seam you just have sewn. It literally took me less than 5 minutes to sew each side and create a blouse that now fits.
You can see the gap is now gone.
This $10 blouse has been paired with capris, skirts and Bermuda shorts. I love it!
Laura
Julie Tucker-Wolek says
Looks great!! I love it!!
Auntie Em says
That is a cute top! The bling on the front is so pretty! Some alterations and minor repairs really are worth the time and effort when you find something you love and it's a great price. I am sure this will be one of those tops you get a lot of wear out of.
Have a great weekend! 🙂
Pat@Life At Lydias House says
Great tutorial! You are a very talented seamstress! I recently found a skirt and jacket at TJMaxx. The only problem is the skirt is the right size and the jacket is 2 sizes too big so I am doing the same thing to my jacket. You know what they say, great minds think alike!
Redhead Sadie says
Great job, Miss! 🙂
marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says
Wow, I havn't done any altering in years. This looks gorgeous. Hugs, Marty
Vel Criste says
You so pretty Laura, anything your wear, big or small, ill-fitting or not, just looks good on you girl!
Cindy (Applestone Cottage) says
Excellent Laura!
Very pretty and your turning into an amazing seamstress as well~
Hugs,
Cindy
Jill Flory of Sew a Fine Seam says
Great job Laura! French seams are great! I did a detailed tutorial a couple years ago on my blog – I need to do a new one now that I have a real camera and use Lightroom for editing!
black sabeth says
you have real nice arms and an even better photographer 🙂
Lorrie says
Don't you love it when something like this happens? Great job! Cute blouse.
Karen Albert says
Great Job Laura, it is such a cute blouse!
xoxo
Karena
2013 Artists Feature