Share your sewing hacks for making clothes fit in the comments!

I added a gusset in the side of a blouse once. The blouse had a cat design and the gusset fabric was fish bones. I did appreciate your great ideas!

I love things like this which show how we can keep clothes going instead of throwing them away. Thank you!

I've only ever upsized one shirt - it was a button up that did button, but was tight and couldn't wrap my arms around myself, for example, because arm movement was limited. I added a diamond shaped gusset to the armpit, and it totally fixed the problem. And because it was just in the armpit, it was ok that it didn't really match - it was just "close enough."

Stealing the button placket is a stroke of genius. I've only upsized a couple of graphic t-shirts, but my favourite method is to piece together side panels from the sleeves (or hem) and make new sleeves from a fabric that matches a colour from the print. I also cut the neckline and bind it with the same fabric as the sleeves to make sure everything looks deliberate.

Your wonderful sewing machine has its own sound, like an ancient trolley bus. It’s a delightfully familiar part of your KZfaq offerings. You combine sewing excellence with humour and all the usual visual loveliness of your home. A treat as always. Thank you Juul. 😘

Size shift is real. This was great! I'll have to go back to the "love it, but doesn't fit any more" section of the closet with new eyes!

I found you thanks to someone’s secret Santa playlist, and I love the calm you create by just working on your task or project without talking. I even set my knitting down so I could pay you proper attention. Thank you x

I had a blouse that was too tight at the chest - upper arms, but otherwise it was perfect.. So after coincidentally binging a bunch of historic shift making tutorials I tried adding in a square gusset at the armpit of 10x10 cm. AND IT WORKED!!

I love when people change the clothes to fit them, not try to change their body to fit the clothes :)

The whole reason I started sewing was the thought that, someday, I too would be able to wear a button-up shirt - without gaping. Beautiful job on the shirt. - Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown

My eldest, also of the ample endowment set, had a favorite silk blouse that was struggling. It had several pin tucks across the chest and some very loooong ties. ALL the pin tucks came out, and the ties donated material for the side seams. I have also found that the inside of button plackets can be replaced with other fabric, should larger donations be required.

Огромное удовольствие от просмотра вашего видео!!! Вы не только отличная портниха но и талантливый режисер!!!👍❤ from Russia

if the original maker didn't cut them off, you could also loosen up those darts, or at least lower the tops of them, which would give you a little more room in the bust. looks pretty good though, for where the shirt started! :D

I'm looking forward to this too. Favorite short & wide person hack: Cut off excess hem Separate front & back Cut each ☝️into almost triangles, lengthwise Cut so the pairs of triangles will match one from front, one from back, along outer edges. (Top toward bottom on one, bottom toward top on the other) Sew straight edges of triangles together to make two new triangles out of the 4 right angle triangles. Sew into side seams of garment to widen hips & flare hem.

This is such a useful video! Thank you. That snap hack is perfect for replacing difficult safety pins. When you had the shirt in pieces, I thought that might be a great opportunity to make pattern pieces in case you wanted to replicate the shirt.

Oh hurrah! :-) I am really, really looking forward to this. I have envied the people who find an XL cashmere sweater and "upcycle" it __down__ to something for a petite or extra small frame. I feel "good for them!" but, also, "it doesn't work that way for so many of us." I bet some wonderful hints will come from you and from your community.

Dear Juul, One of the other subscribers wanted help understanding my hack, so I made my first video. I'm very pleased with myself. Thank you for the inspiration and space in which to communicate with others, and hopefully help them. 😊

Also a Busty person with this exact problem so I’m anticipating with pleasure. 🥰🥰

No long nonsensical intro, no music, no talking, no commercials. Thank you so much for 13 mins of silence. You have no idea how much I enjoyed watching this video tutorial. The blouse looks amazing in the end and you look very beautiful with your milkmaid plaid hair.

Clever idea to add snaps to prevent gaps, I have always used safety pins but I think the idea of snaps is better ((sigh) all my shirts gap at the bust). Thanks for sharing !

Thank you so much for this Juul, as I love your videos. I too am blest with ample bosom and I have had to do this a number of times, but you make it look so easy. I think the last one I did took me over 4 days, as I got so cross with it I had to put it away for a few hours. lol. Thank you for taking the snobbish out of sewing, (which a number of KZfaq people seem to have) You are such a blessing to so many people, especially at this time. Stay safe. x

I have a dress that was too small in the torso (both waist and bust), but it had a matching belt, so I used that for inserts in the side seams and for the sleeves. The belt is still usable, just a bit shorter. I was going to take some fabric from the pleated skirt, but the direction of the stripes made it more suitable to take from the belt. I have also uppsized a dress I got from a friend when she grew out of it, but it was also too small for me. I made it into a sleevless dress so I could have fabric for underarm gussets to make it fit over the bust and an extra gore in the back of the dress for my hips. Lastly I adjusted my grandmothers grandmothers skirt. I couln't bare to cut in it because of it's age, but clothes are made to be worn and it was just a tiny, tiny bit too small (I fit in my grandmothers mothers underdress, though). So I lengthened the waistband with a kind of matching stash fabric (a couple of centimeters) and regathered the gathers in the back to fit the new length. And oh, I did that with another thrifted skirt also, but then I dared snip a bit of fabric from the gathers to lengthen the waistband. And I have a dress that was too long in the torso for me, but too narrow, so I took some fabric from the waistline and put it back in the side seams instead. (When I started to write this I thought I had only done one thing, but then I started to remember all the other things.)

I took sleeves off a jacket that was too restrictive in the shoulders and created a vest, definitely more hacking than sewing. I havent done anything much more ambitious.

Handy hint for you Julie. When running the seam ripper along a seam, turn it over so that the little red ball is underneath. Then there is no chance of it catching the garment and ripping in the wrong place.

Most of the folks of eclectic apparel wearing pastimes are not their pre-panini size. This will definitely help us out and lift up a mood. No one likes having to part with something they love and altering it to be useful and love their wearer back again is always useful knowledge to share. Thank you for this!

I love long skirts that swoosh, but it's only once in a blue moon I find a skirt that is actually long enough since I've longer than average legs. So the trick I've used on a couple of skirts now is to add a decorative piece (lace/pretty fabric/etc.) to the hem of the skirt to make it long enough while giving it a bit of extra prettyness. It's simple but effective :D.

Какое терпение надо иметь, молодец, браво 👏👏👏

Миленько получилось, но очень затратно по времени. На спинку и на каждую полочку по длине дать ажурную готовою ленту.пару минут и готово.

Fun video! Thank you! If the yoke has two layers, one could be removed and gussets put under the arm in a "V" shape to make the bust area larger. You are very creative!

I liked your video. The way I solutioned this is by adding to the side panels, 4 inch ribbon fabric that matched one of the colors of the fabric. Now the blouse fits perfectly .

I love this stuff, I’ve been altering clothes forever to make them fit. It’s amazing how necessity can make you use what you were born with to actually think with instead of wasting it doing something stupid because you’re bored. What a concept, yes?

THANK YOU! You may have just helped me save a favorite dress! It's really hard to buy ready to wear clothing that fits so I usually start larger and take in where needed. I have finally decided to just make my own clothing from the start and cut out the extra work.

My stomach/top of hips are often not vintage top friendly. For blouses that don't need tucking I create side splits by opening side seams- if slit goes too far above my waist band I just wear a matching/complimentary camisole.

You did a splendid job. Almost invisible👍🏻😍 I have done a few of those, being a busty lady myself. I enjoy refitting vintage clothing. It is very satisfying and educational. For white blouses I sometimes use insertion-lace. Making a long sleeve shorter is also a way to harvest material to insert. To tackle the “gaping” issue, I have been known to ad an extra button. iEnjoy wearing your “new” blouse 😁🙋🏻‍♀️😘

That was really interesting. I have enlarged a couple of blouses and found that taking out back darts also helps and lowering the front ones. Good job, well done.

This was wonderful. Very informative. No crazy loud music, no endless gabbing and gabbing. Gets right to the point. And great tips.

С каким стилем и вкусом сделано видео. Умница!

Thank you so much for showing a way to upsize clothing. It's fine to cut things down, but upsizing is something very necessary at times. I would like to see more ways to harvest fabric and recycle 'too tight' into comfortable. Thank you again!

I was very pleased to know that this is not just my problem. Suddenly my clothes are too small and I have to make these adjustments frequently. Thank you for sharing how you do it, knowing that it is also how I do it most of the time. I loved this channel. Hugs from a fan from Brazil 😊

For a simple Alpine or straight skirt. Knit, top to bottom, two rectangles of matching or slightly darker yarn and insert in the the two side seams. Extend the waist band. Virginia

“#combatthegap “ I love it!!! I have the same issue. Buying jackets, coats and blazers was such a disappointing experience that I started sewing and now I’m taking Tayloring classes. I love it. No more gaps!!!

I bought this rather long men’s shirt that had pin tucks running down the front for only $5. I used the hem to add panels into the sides, and I was able to undo the interfacing from the cuffs to narrow them a bit, and replaced it with my own interfacing (I’m not at all a fan of the super stiff cardboard-like interfacing used in men’s office shirts). I also took the top part of the collar off, so I now have a short standing collar, that I just pin together with a brooch. A little effort, sure. But far less than making my own pin tucked blouse, and given the low price, it was definitely worth the work. That being said, it is only a stop gap, as it is a polyester fabric, which I hate. So once I’ve made my own out of linen, I’ll be passing my thrifted and shifted shirt on.

I legit carry a small container of safety pins with me everywhere to help combat the gaping problem, but then I also never think of adding snaps, least of all when I actually have time to do so. Must remember that!

Don’t you just love when you can find the end of the surge and just pull it out!?!?!? Oh my goodness, your vintage sewing machine!!!!! This was delightful!!!

I have a huge bag of clothes which I label as KIV for alterations It's such a feeling of joy and ultimate satisfaction when a garment had been successfully altered to fit perfect...😊 Thanks for sharing this video..💝💐

I'm gonna admit, my main hack has been to not wear button-ups...

We are very similarly shaped and making a blouse fit is truly a feat. If I take anything away from this, it's likely the considered spacing of snaps. I'm trying to get my small, sloped shoulders, small neck line, proportionately small waist (larger size but not compared to the even larger breasts, hips, bum and belly) all to fit into a blouse without that tightness in the breast area and sleeves without bagging elsewhere. Likely to re watch this. I appreciate the calmness, creativity, and representation of a curvy person with fine bone structure. We are a normal shape, but with fast fashion, carelessly manufactured clothing, it's rare to see adjustment for people who are half larger and half smaller like this. Thank you! You do suit blouses. I'm interested in trying again with fitting thanks to you. I was searching for how to take a jean jacket 2 sizes too large in, because of the same situation of proportions not being recognized.

I got here reandomly by the search engine, and gods YOU SAVED ME FROM THE CAGE OF 10 YEARS LONG BOOB-STRUGGLE, THANK YOU 🖤🖤🖤 The best thing (beside adding pockets, or pockes slaches) addig a small, square gusset into the armpit of dresses/blouses/ or anything available - learnt from reenactment, and it's so much comfier and easy to move in - especially for boobage warriors like me, who is able to rip entire coats by lifting her arms 😂🤣

Big boobs on a petite frame is so frustrating as a crafter. I am looking forward to this video! To be frank, all your videos have been ASMR bliss. Thank you for them!

Goodness gracious this is EXACTLY what I need !!!

Wow. I learned something today. Good job. Never thought of adding snaps, which is genius. Also liked you resetting the sleeves in order to get a bit more size out of them by changing the actual "puff" of the sleeves. Just so clever all around. Thank you.

I love the quiet way of working. Very peaceful. Yo can even hear de sound of the scissor cutting the material.

Hi I found you recently as I'm learning more about garment sewing and vintage clothes. I have watched one of your other videos and noticed you have CI. I'm hearing impaired and my son is too. One of the things I liked was you did closed captions which is why a blessing for me. I realised now that you totally get it! Thank you as its a nightmare that not everyone uses cc. It's so hard if you can't see lips and no cc. Sam x

Какой старинный интерьер! Какая швейная машина!!!Какой буфет! Моя бабушка была швея,у нее была такая машина. И буфет тоже похож на Ваш. Прекрасное атмосферное видео. Спасибо.

As a fellow busty girl, I thank you. I have several blouses that arent decent anymore, but with a few adjustments could be again :D I've never tried snaps before, I usually just cave and sew the whole thing shut. Buttons are just decoration, right?🤐

Complete unintentional ASMR, I was so relaxed watching this but also so happy to see how I could resize my tight across the bust dress! Thank you x

Nice alterations Juul! I would have serged that hemline again so you have no raw edges inside but that's just me. But hats of to you madame! You did a great job! 💗 Love this 💗

Yesterday I made such a huge blunder on the dress I'm working on, that I found myself wishing you were my next door neighbor so I could run over and knock on your door and beg you for help.

In addition to the very helpful information, I enjoyed your calm approach and your beautiful vintage surroundings. I was captivated by it all.

That came out really well! The alterations blend in unnoticeably.

I laughed at the commentary when you used Fray Check because I did go “what is she doing?” but you’ve actually shown this professional sewing person something new and useful!! Though I do wish you had serged the raw edges in the hem, this is great DIY advice!

Ahhh finally a “size up” video!! Loved the “shoulder Shrug” at the end of the video!!! 😂😂

Just love the blouse, wow, you did a great job. Keep these hacks coming, they are so good to watch and later try out

Thank for the video. Huge problem with gaposis. For button down shirts, I have started buying used menswear and putting darts/pleats in. I am the only one noticing the shirt buttons on the wrong side. Plus the fabric on mens shirts is consistantly good quality cotton, not that junk they are sell to women now.

I love it! And yes, while the result is not 'perfect', it's very much wearable, and perfect for a beloved garment.

It's really encouraging to see someone upsizing something. I have negligible chest and bland waist measurements, but I'm taller than a lot of hems and sleeves want to reach, so I always feel skeptical about whether it's worth it to try and work on old clothes if I can't be sure it will fit when I'm finished. Seeing you be so creative gives me some encouragement.

I love your house, your sewing machine. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Отличный результат! Тонкая работа, браво!🤩🤩🤩

What you did was extremely difficult in the area of time & effort. A lot of people would not have the patience for it. In my younger days I would put the time/effort into something like this. I say well done!

I have no idea if you don't speak because you don't want to or because you cannot, but either way, this has been the most relaxing video I ever saw. It looks like the real life, we don't speak when we make clothes. Beautiful tailoring, so genius this trick with the fabric from the button placket! Your hairdo (the braids with the scarf in them) is lovely and true vintage, the vanilla blouse with the embroidery is fantastic too. Thank you for the beautiful video.

Очень круто получилось, настоящая рукодельница.

I’ve inserted fabric into sides of T-shirts to make them bigger. I love wearing them again when they fit well after alterations.

I have 2 red cotton blouses that are too small. Unfortunately the colours are just different enough that I can't cannibalize them into one. Truly a pity as the much too small one has no extra fabric to it, but has some really cool detailed button holes. Guess I'll save them for something that contrasts nicely as opposed to looking like I'm a bit colour blind.

I feel so happy to know I am not the only one doing this. Saves me so much money and restore some quality garments. BTW, love your video and the clear instructions. Looking forward to more from you.

I just LOVE your synger machine... I teach myself how to saw in my grandmama's machine and it was exactly like your. And I very much like your work. And your chair. Thank you for sharing

Thank you, Juul, you made a beautiful job of your blouse and your genius has helped me so much! My daughter has a new blouse that is too tight across the tummy and I feel more confident about tackling it now (the blouse, not the tummy! 😅).

Oh my word, that is so clever! I'm not into dressmaking at all but love to watch the skill, imagination and ingenuity of others. Well done on making a smart, wearable and much more comfortable looking shirt. That style really suits you and looked amazing at the end. 😊

Wonderful. I love to sew and. I think its wonderful to learn how to improve different clothes

Admirada😻com a dedicação....minha mãe era costureira das antigas...de costura sei pouco. É uma arte... é uma matemática...tem seus cálculos...parabéns as mãos desses valorosos artistas....👏👏👏👏👏

I upsized a 50's style halter neck dress I got from the thrift store, it's now my prized possession. I couldn't try it on in the store and when I got home I realized that my boobs were much bigger than the dress could fit even though it looked like it would. I took out the seam allowance next to the zipper and the placket that covered it. Now the regular zipper is exposed but it fits perfectly so I don't care, I can't wait until it's warm enough to wear it somewhere.

Another thing that can be done is to add a narrow white placket down the front and place the buttons on that. Great job!

素敵です。自分でお直しできる方尊敬します。 それと、お家可愛い💕

Loved this! I've added panels from original cabbage or excess length but never thought about the button plackets. Genius!

You say its not perfect, but considering you couldn't really do more to accommodate your bust than sizing it up, you did an amazing job!

One last possibility with that specific blouse would be to add a central panel down the front, maybe buttoned on both sides, either in navy or white/ivory [hard to tell which one in the video] or a panel in each. That way you can make the same blouse look different but it would also look rather like some of those you see in the early 1920s up to the 1930s. Resewing the back seams to gain an extra couple of cm would help as well with the fit. I really like the blouse though and while there are a number of videos on how to make dresses [or kameezes] larger I haven't seen one on blouses before. Thank you as this means I can look for ''smaller'' sizes in charity shops and hopefully make them larger to fit [currently making a few history bounding Edwardianish skirts to wear this summer].

Yes! This is not only good for my old clothes but thrifted stuff too. Quality plus size thrifted clothes is so rare in my area. & Those available only come in basic colors or are in ugly patterns. Upsizing a few smaller blouses is my goal before sweater weather is gone (which is about March in my area🥵).

AWESOME!!! Thank you so much

Another helpful great video, blouse looks lovely. Fitting garments is the single most difficult part of sewing, and least fun. IAbout ten years ago I bought a professional dress form and it does help and save time. Thanks again for sharing.

Ohhh! Solo por dejarme entrar a ver tu acogedora casa, ya me es gratificante. Me encanta! Además de ver cómo arreglas las cosas... Ver ese ambiente me da un subidón!!! Gracias!

That was so cool! I have a dress I bought that is small in the waist and I am determined to fix it! You gave me loads of ideas and hope! Thank you!

You can also remove the entire placket and use a different fabric (white would have worked for this project) that would give you a couple inches, taking out darts and pleats is also a great idea. If the top is long enough you may be able to steal fabric at the hem...be care of bold patterns or directional fabric. Adding isn't fun...but most of the time you only need an inch or two and it can be found and done....nice job

I love watching your work, patiently and carefully taking apart all the seams 👍👍👍👍

Absolutely loved this video! This is how I have been making shirts, blouses etc bigger for decades. (yes, I also have the busty problems) If you have a good quality shirt, upsizing tends to be easier and neater. Love your hair like that AND your sewing machine! I learnt to sew by my grandmother on a machine like yours 😁

What about the inside yoke if it is double? Then replace that with other fabric?

While watching I kept thinking "how interesting will that be to a dress historian in 200 years !"

This definitely gives me some great ideas for this striped shirt I bought that ended up lost in a pile of clothes for years and now doesn't fit. I will take out the sleeves and use that fabric to add side panels so it will fit. It will be sleeveless, but that's ok. I have trouble finding shirts with the width I need in sleeves anyway, so... (bc bat-wings lol) But at least then I can wear it, instead of it being unused/unworn. I can't afford to buy, so this helps me upcycling what I have already. Thanks for the tips. 💖

Taking from the button placket is brilliant!

Also, if I want to source matching pieces of fabric, as much as possible, I use the hidden areas such as under cuff, placket, collar and replace those hidden facings/backings with other fabrics that may not have the same pattern but complement it well

Beautifully done! hidden snaps/tiny buttons facing inward are the only way I can combat the gap, too :)