#Upsizing

[handmadehazefromtheheart]

Painful progress on up-sizing my pants:

[wildeflower-sc]

I absolutely love this! I’ve gained a lot of weight in the past few years but don’t want to give up on a bunch of my cute clothes that I love. Making them bigger is tricky, but it means I don’t have to give up on the lovely clothes that suit me and make me happy.

Upsizing clothes! There are a million upcycling tutorials for clothes that are too big, but so few on how to make too small clothes you still love bigger!

Thank you for your suggestion! We all go through weight fluctuations in life, so it stands to reason our clothes should be able to fluctuate with us.

Resizing your clothes used to be a very common practice before the advent of fast fashion. Fast fashion sizing is extremely flawed, especially when it comes to plus size fashion, and we're stuck with a lot of vanity sizing, so it's a good skill to have regardless of whether you're looking to mend something old or buy something new.

How to upsize clothes:

Introduction:

There are many different ways to make a garment larger. The following list is not exhaustive, just a few ideas to get you started.

Grading patterns:

If you're making your own clothes, it's always useful to know how to modify a sewing pattern. The easiest way to adjust a pre-existing pattern to your size is slash and spread grading. First, you need to define which spots on the pattern need extra space. You then cut your pattern in that spot, and slide the resulting pattern pieces away from each other until you've got the size you need. Use paper to fill in the gaps. To ensure the resulting pattern makes for well-fitting clothes, make a mock-up and add, move, or remove darts where necessary to adapt it to your body type.

The image below shows potential slashing lines on a set of standard pattern blocks. Each line is a spot that allows you to add extra space. To read more about this process, check out the corresponding article by Threads Magazine.

(Image source) [ID: a diagram of slashing lines on a pattern block for a dress, bodice, skirt, sleeve, and a pair of pants.]

To make your clothes easier to let out in the future, make sure to provide ample seam allowance when cutting out your pattern pieces. This surplus fabric has several different uses, including giving you some wiggle room for when you need to size up your garment.

Now, let's take a look at pre-made garments.

Lengthening clothes:

A garment that's too short on you is easy to modify. Just add more material!

If it's a skirt or a dress, add ruffles to the bottom. Ruffles are easy to make by hand or with a sewing machine. You could also add lace, or wear the item with an underskirt.

For pants, let down your hem or sew on a new cuff. If this isn't enough, maybe consider turning your trousers into capri pants or shorts.

As for shirts, sewing an extra layer to the bottom edge is the easiest way to go, too. You could even combine two shirts into one to get an extra long shirt.

Another option is to cut your item in two and insert extra fabric between your separated garment parts.

(Image source) [ID: a pair of blue pants with cuffs sewn onto the bottom of the legs to lengthen them. The cuffs are made out of a fabric with a blue and brown geometric print.]

(Image source) [ID: a before and after picture of a red t-shirt that was lenghtened by adding in a patch of colourful fabric at the waist.]

Letting out seams/darts:

Remember how we made sure to have ample seam allowance earlier? When a garment has surplus fabric in the seams and you only need a little extra space, you can undo the seams of your garment and sew them back together again, this time with a smaller seam allowance than before. The Spruce Crafts has a pretty good tutorial on how to let out seams. You won't be able to make major size changes using this technique, but if you only need a few centimetres, this is a good way to go.

A lot of garments also have darts. Darts are fabric folds that are sewn down in strategic places to help the fabric follow the body's curves. If a dart doesn't fit you the way you want it to, then unpick the dart and try on the garment. Either leave the dart open, or pin the dart in place however you want it, then take off the garment again and sew the dart back together.

Be careful not to rip the fabric when using a seam ripper. Also note that removing entire darts may change the garment's fit.

You can also add custom darts to achieve a better fit, but that's a topic for another time.

(Image source) [ID: twelve different types of darts on a feminine bodice block.]

Adding extra fabric to your garment:

If we need to add more room than seam allowance or darts can provide us with, we need to add extra material. Remember those slashing lines we looked at earlier? If you're working with a pre-existing garment rather than a pattern, those are the perfect places to chop up your clothes and add in extra fabric.

Check your sewing stash for fabric that's similar in weight and material to your original garment, or go thrift shopping for an item you could use to upsize your garment. Long skirts and maxi dresses are a great source of fabric for alterations like these!

Lace inserts are also a fun choice to add some room, and if you're working with a knit item, you could even knit or crochet your own custom insert.

Define the area where you want to add extra fabric on your item, and measure how much you need. Draw a straight line on your garment with chalk/soap. Make sure the line doesn't cross any important structural or functional parts of your garment like darts or button holes: refer to the slashing diagram we saw earlier if you're not sure what spot to pick. Cut the line open (or unpick the seam if it's situated on a seam), and add in your extra fabric. Finish off your new seams so they don't unravel later on, and you're done!

You can add straight strips of fabric for extra width or length, or you could use flared panels or even godets to make your item flair out.

Want to see this technique in action? Check out this video by Break n Remake:

Some ideas:

This Pinterest user cut a straight line down the front of a t-shirt and inserted a lace panel to add extra width in the front of the garment.

(Image source) [ID: a blue t-shirt with a panel of dark blue lace added in at the centre front.]

Busy Geemaw cut open the side seams of a shirt and used flared panels to add some extra width in the bust and hip area.

(Image source) [ID: a green and white long-sleeved shirt with a striped flared panel in matching colours inserted at the side seam.]

This person added a panel to the sides of a pair of jeans to give them more space in the hip area. You could easily use a long straight panel or a panel that flares at the bottom to resize the entire garment instead of just the hips, or use a wide piece of elastic for extra stretch.

(Image source) [ID: a side view of a pair of light blue jeans with a dark blue wedge-shaped denim insert running down from the waist and ending above the knee.]

This person added a godet in the back of their shirt in order to get more space in the back.

(Image source) [ID: a blue and white plaid shirt with a white lace godet inserted in the back.]

Blue Corduroy enlarged a pair of shorts by opening up the side seams and adding in strips of fabric.

(Image source) [ID: blue denim shorts with a floral fabric insert at the side seams.]

You don't need to resize the entire garment if you don't want to. For example, One Brown Mom turned this ankle-length skirt with a too small waistband into a well-fitting knee-length skirt by taking advantage of the skirt's flared shape.

(Image source) [ID: a woman wearing a black shirt and a brown tartan knee-length skirt.]

Conclusion:

Throughout our lives, our weight will fluctuate and our bodies will change. There's no shame in this: it's just a fact of life. Therefore, knowing how to upsize an item that is too small for you is a useful skill to learn.

If you want more inspiration, check out these projects by Confessions of a Refashionista, One Brown Mom, and Thriftanista in the City.

[hisforhome]

Decorating a new and larger home on a budget

[paradisehomepros]

Whether you're looking to downsize for simplicity or expand for more breathing room, finding the perfect space to call home is key. 🏡✨ Let's explore homes that fit exactly what you need—be it cozy and compact or spacious and sprawling. Reach out today, and let’s make your ideal living space a reality!

[miamibeachbroker]

Upsizing Your Home to Accommodate Your New Home Business

More Space, More Productivity! Things to consider when upsizing your home to accommodate your home-based business.

Image via Pexels By Lance Cody-Valdez, a MiamiBroker.Blog Contributor Starting a home-based business is an exhilarating adventure, but it frequently necessitates more room than your present home might offer. Upsizing your home to accommodate your business is about more than just securing a larger living space. It involves a thoughtful procedure that assures the seamless blending of your…

[kieraoonadiy]

How about adding to a skirt so it fits, using some scrap material, while experimenting with a flat locking on my new serger?

or some handspun yarn I was working on earlier?

or a pic from my Instagram with me blocking a brand new hat?

Here’s a mid progress shot of the hat, showing how I’m adding in the sweatband.  You can see a bit of the sizing residue on the inside, which will be blended in after, then covered with a lining.

or yarn that I still am working on a 2nd batch? (the single is still on the wheel at the moment)

or an in progress shot of a weaving I’ve been working on (which I need to make at least an estimated 6 panels of) that is all hand spun?

WIP WEDNESDAY IS UPON US ONCE AGAIN

[shopzone462]

Hanes Women’s Crewneck Sweatshirt, Soft Fleece EcoSmart Long Sleeve Sweatshirt

Product details

Fabric Type > 50% Cotton, 50% Polyester

Care Instructions > Machine Wash

Origin > Imported

Closure Type > Pull On

About this item

FASHION TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT - Hanes EcoSmart mid-weight, year-round sweatshirt for women is made with cotton sourced from American farms.

SOFT, PLUSH, AND MADE TO STAY THAT WAY - Thick fleece women's pullover sweatshirt stays warm and cozy, so it can be a longtime favorite.

THE CLASSIC LOOK YOU WANT - This women's sweatshirt has a classic silhouette and ribbed details at the collar, cuffs, and waistband that stretch to keep you comfortable.

OUR BEST FIT YET - Longer length sits below your natural waistline to give you more coverage.

QUALITY YOU EXPECT - This women's workout sweatshirt is reinforced with a high-stitch density.

TAGLESS - Stay itch-free with a Tagless neck for added comfort.

Get This > Hanes Women’s Crewneck Sweatshirt, Soft Fleece EcoSmart Long Sleeve Sweatshirt

[youmakemelikecharity]

Living Room - Transitional Living Room

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[gratefulnuts]

Not everyone fits the mold of traditional home buying, and that's okay. If you've hit a wall in your property search, Grateful Nuts Homes has streamlined, affordable options just for you. Reach out to us now to explore the possibilities. 🏠🔑 gratefulnutshomes.com

[arcanegifs]

arcane fans and MOST ESPECIALLY GIF/EDIT MAKERS!!!! we are getting arcane in physical AND IN 4K!!!! yipee!!!!!!

[isabelleadjani]

KIM GO-EUN & NOH SANG-HYUN for ELLE Korea, October 2024

[someiicecube]

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yay, I did it! *sound of my head thumping against desk*

the real purpose of it all was so I could make this hehe... good morning Esther :3

[golgothas-lamb]

Are we all but players in this game of chance?

1 2 3 4 5 6

[arcanescreencaps]

ARCANE LEAGUE OF LEGENDS: 1x05 - "Everybody Wants to Be My Enemy" ↳ "Undercity's gonna eat you alive."

[buffetlicious]

Just last week, McDonald’s Singapore brought back the local-inspired Nasi Lemak Burger, along with the new Curry Chicken McNuggets. The Nasi Lemak Burger first appeared on the menu in 2017. This local rendition of nasi lemak into a burger consists of a fried chicken patty marinated in spices slathered in sambal sauce, fried egg, and cucumber sandwiched between burger buns instead of coconut rice.

For dinner, I went out and bought the Nasi Lemak Burger Upsized Feast (S$12.35). The set meal comes with the burger, Smoky BBQ McShaker Fries, Apple Pie and a small gassy drink which I changed to Ice Green Tea (+S$0.10). Instead of coconut rice, you get two toasted buns with a crispy chicken patty, fried egg and refreshing cucumbers slathered with sambal sauce. On first bite, you get that coconut flavour then the spicy kick of the sambal profile. And the cucumber and egg complete this wholesome burger. Sedap!

Topmost image and video courtesy of McDonald’s Singapore.