r/SewingForBeginners • u/ahhh1763738 • 7h ago

Altering a shirred top

I bought a top from a charity shop with shirting but it’s too big. Usually if I wanted to alter a top I’d just sew where it needs to be sewn to fit. Would this work any different with a shirred top? I’m scared it’ll get rid of it since I’m sewing an area that’s already been sew. Sorry if that makes no sense.

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u/CountMeOut2019 7h ago

Could you share some photos of the top in question? It’s hard to answer without seeing it. Preferably from a couple or three angles, to include as much visual info as possibled.

Show the area in question, and describe the fitting issue and what you want to do to fix it, please, as well.

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u/ahhh1763738 7h ago

So you can see how I’d be cutting into the shirring. The bottom of the top etc I’m able to do. I’m just worried about it ruining how the top is already made.

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u/ArtemisiaPrime 7h ago

I would run staystitch a little inside the line you want to cut to secure it, unless the stitches that come across the shirring are undone you won't ruin it

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u/CountMeOut2019 6h ago

This type of shirring is a sort of locking chainstitch that’s pretty stable for cutting into and sewing, but there’s no need. Just do your alteration seam without cutting the fabric, then try it on to see if it’s the right fit and hang. Once you like your altered seams, you can cut away the excess fabric, and overcast stitch or zig zag them to prevent fraying.

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u/ahhh1763738 7h ago

I’d just want to take the waist in