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While a new stretch knit may give a girl a flattering fit, a stretched-out shirt is simply style-free. As your garments get older, especially knit clothing, the fibers begin to loosen and lose their shape. This can leave your fave fashions looking worn-out and bulgy, not to mention no longer figure flattering. Don't resign yourself to trashing your best shirts yet, however. You can save an over-stretched shirt by shrinking down the size.
The Washing Machine Method
1.
Clean the shirt completely, using any stain removers you need and a cold water wash with detergent. Heat can set stains, so never try to shrink dirty clothes.
2.
Run the oversized shirt through a hot water wash. Make the wash as hot as your machine will allow.
3.
Run the shirt through the dryer at its hottest setting.
4.
Test out the size of the shirt by putting it on.
5.
Continue putting the shirt through a hot wash and dry cycle until you are satisfied with the sizing.
The Tailoring Method
1.
Put the shirt on inside-out.
2.
Pin the side and shoulder seams closer to your body. Have a friend help you with this so that the fit is more accurate.
3.
Take off the shirt. Sew along the pins on your sewing machine to make new seams.
4.
Trim the seam allowances to 1/4 inch.
5.
Finish the raw edges of the seam allowances by serging or zigzag stitching.
Things You'll Need
1.Shirt
3.Detergent
5.Dryer
7.Thread
9.Scissors
2.Stain remover
4.Washing machine
6.Pins
8.Home sewing machine
10.Measuring tape
Tips & Tricks
Shirts that have stretched to the point of looking worn or thin in patches should be replaced, not shrunk.
Do not wash "dry clean only" clothes, as it can seriously damage the fabric.
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References
"Laundry: The Home Comforts Book of Caring for Clothes;" Cheryl Mendelson; 2005.
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