Shrinking T-Shirts: How Tiny Can You Go?

There are several ways to make a T-shirt smaller. One way is to tailor the T-shirt using a shirt that fits well as a guide. This involves cutting the sleeves and sides of the larger shirt to match the size of the smaller one, then sewing the sleeves and sides back together. Another way is to shrink the T-shirt by washing and drying it in hot water, as this will cause the fibres of the shirt to contract.

Shrink a T-shirt by soaking and washing it in hot water

To shrink a T-shirt by soaking and washing it in hot water, start by checking the fabric composition of the garment by reading its label. Different fabrics shrink at varying rates, and not all fabrics can endure every method. Natural fibres like cotton are more prone to shrinking than synthetic fibres.

If your T-shirt has stains, pre-treat or remove them before shrinking, as stains that haven't been pre-treated will be permanently set in the fabric by the heat.

Soaking the T-shirt in Hot Water

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. The hotter the water, the greater the shrinkage. If you're looking to shrink your T-shirt as much as possible, high heat is the best way to go.

Once the water is boiling, turn off the stove and place your T-shirt in the pot, making sure it is completely covered by the water. Use a spoon to push the T-shirt underwater if necessary.

Let the T-shirt soak for 5 to 30 minutes. The longer the T-shirt is exposed to the hot water, the more it will shrink.

Remove the T-shirt from the pot with tongs and let it cool. Then, gently squeeze out the excess water and let it air dry.

Washing and Drying the T-shirt

Wash your T-shirt in the washing machine with the hottest water setting. Wash it with like colours, as the hot water can cause colour bleeding. If your T-shirt has a graphic print, turn it inside out before washing to protect the print.

After washing, transfer the T-shirt to the dryer and dry it on the highest heat setting. The heat from the dryer will cause the T-shirt to shrink even more.

If the T-shirt still hasn't reached your desired size, repeat the soaking and washing process.

Tailor the seams and hems of the T-shirt

To tailor the seams and hems of a T-shirt, you can follow these steps:

Preparation:

Firstly, you will need to gather the right tools and materials. These include a sewing machine, ironing equipment, sewing pins, tailor's chalk, a needle and thread, and fabric scissors. It is also helpful to have a correctly fitting T-shirt to use as a template for alterations.

Measuring:

Before making any changes to the T-shirt, it is important to determine the desired fit. Try on the T-shirt and gently pinch the excess fabric at the sleeves and down the side seams, taking measurements of the amount of excess fabric. You will also need to decide on the desired length of the T-shirt.

Ironing:

Remove the T-shirt and turn it inside out. If the T-shirt has side seams, flatten the fabric alongside each seam. If there are no side seams, lay the T-shirt flat, using the sleeve seams as a guide. Iron the T-shirt from the armpit to the hem on both sides.

Marking:

Before sewing, it is helpful to mark a guiding line to follow. You can use tailor's chalk or sewing pins to create a line that is parallel to the side seams, at a distance that reflects the desired amount of fabric to be removed.

Sewing:

Select a straight stitch on your sewing machine and adjust the length to the maximum setting. Place the T-shirt under the needle, about half an inch from the edge of the fabric, and stitch along the guiding line on both sides of the T-shirt, backstitching at the beginning and end of each seam.

Testing:

Turn the T-shirt right-side out and try it on again. Evaluate the fit and make any necessary adjustments. If the T-shirt is too tight, use a seam ripper to remove the stitches. If it is too loose, create a new guiding line and sew a new seam.

Finalising:

Once you are happy with the fit, sew a final straight stitch along the seam, using a shorter stitch length for added strength. Trim off the excess fabric, leaving about 1/4" to 3/8" of seam allowance. Finish the raw edge by sewing a zig-zag stitch along the newly created seam allowance.

Additional Tips:

• When sewing, avoid stretching the fabric and gently guide it through the machine.
• Use a thread colour that matches the T-shirt fabric to help hide the seam.
• If you are not confident in your sewing skills, consider practising on a T-shirt you don't mind ruining.
• If you don't have access to a sewing machine, you can also hand-stitch the seams or use alternative methods such as fabric glue or shrinking the T-shirt.
• For more complex alterations, such as adjusting the shoulder seams or sleeves, consider seeking the services of a professional tailor.

Adjust the fit of your T-shirt by knotting the back

There are several ways to adjust the fit of a T-shirt by knotting the back. Here are four methods to achieve a tighter fit:

The Basic Back Knot

• Fold up the T-shirt in the front.
• Gather a section of the shirt's fabric in the back.
• Twist the back section into a spiral.
• Wrap the spiral around itself until you create a ball, then pull the end piece through the hole.

The Back Knot with a Scarf

• Follow the steps for the basic back knot.
• Wrap a decorative scarf around your knot.
• Keep the scarf's tails hanging or continue wrapping them around your knot until they are hidden.

The Back Knot with a Rubber Band

• Follow the steps for the basic back knot.
• Use a rubber band to keep the knot in place.

The Criss-Cross Back Knot

• Cross your arms and grab both sides of your shirt.
• Cross the sides over.
• Tuck the ends underneath your shirt.

Cut off the lower half of the T-shirt

Cutting off the lower half of the T-shirt is a great way to make a trendy, sporty half tee. This method is also useful if you want to make a shirt smaller without sewing. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Choose the Right T-shirt

Select a T-shirt that fits you well around the shoulders and chest but is loose around the waist and hips. This will ensure that your new shirt fits comfortably.

Step 2: Prepare the T-shirt

Lay the T-shirt on a flat surface. Smooth it out to ensure there are no creases or bumps. If you want to keep the sleeves, place the shirt so that the sleeves overlap.

Step 3: Mark the Cutting Line

Use a pen or chalk to mark where you want to cut the shirt. You can cut the shirt at any length you prefer. If you want a crop top, decide how short you want the shirt to be and mark the cutting line accordingly.

Step 4: Cut the T-shirt

Using sharp scissors, carefully cut the shirt along the line you marked. Try to avoid jagged edges as you cut. If you end up with uneven edges, you can always cut a little more to straighten the line.

Step 5: Curl the Edges (Optional)

Gently tug on the cut edges of the shirt. This will curl the fabric over the cut and give it a softer look. This step is optional but will help to conceal any unevenness.

Tips and Tricks:

• Before cutting, you can fold the shirt in half lengthwise to ensure that the sleeves are even. This will help you achieve a symmetrical look.
• If you want to make the armholes larger, cut a little more fabric from the sleeves. This will show off more of your body from the sides.
• For a more unique look, consider cutting the sleeves at an angle to create a cap-sleeve style, or cutting the collar to create a scoop neck or v-neck style.
• If you want to make the shirt even smaller, you can also knot the back of the shirt or use safety pins to pinch the fabric together at the back.

Use a sewing machine to create a new hem

To create a new hem for a T-shirt using a sewing machine, follow these steps:

Mark the new hem

If you are creating a new hem, start by removing the old one with a stitch ripper. Then, put on the T-shirt and mark the desired length with a fabric marker. Take off the T-shirt and lay it on a flat surface, right side up. Measure straight up from the bottom of the fabric to the marker dot and cut around the bottom of the T-shirt about 1 inch below the dot. This will give you a seam allowance for the new hem.

Prepare the fabric

Remove the cut-off bottom of the shirt and turn the T-shirt inside out. Apply a fabric stabilizer to the bottom edge of the shirt to keep it straight and prevent it from getting caught in the sewing machine. Let the stabilizer dry completely, following the manufacturer's instructions.

Secure the hem

Fold up the bottom hem of the T-shirt about 1 inch and pin it into place. Work around the shirt, creating the new fold and inserting pins. Use the fabric marker dots to ensure that the hem is straight. Crease the fold so that it lies flat.

Set up the sewing machine

Thread your sewing machine and prepare it for use according to the manufacturer's instructions. Set the stitch tension to the medium or middle setting to allow the knit fabric to hang comfortably.

Sew the hem

Sew around the hem about 3/4 of an inch from the bottom of the T-shirt. Remove the pins as you sew. Create a second stitch on the hem to hold it securely in place. Sew around the bottom of the T-shirt, below the first stitch, about 1/2 inch from the bottom.

Finish

Turn the shirt right side out and launder it as usual to remove the stiffness of the stabilizer.

Frequently asked questions