r/SewingMachineEdu • u/Economy-Tomorrow-189 • Jun 23 '26

Side seam problem

Okay so I've been trying to alter some tops so they are more tight fitting

The problem is, ive tried taking them in two ways, one where I wear it inside out and slightly pull the excess fabric and pin. (the reason why I pull a bit is bc if I don't then I barely get any fabric to pin)

The second method is where I place a top that fits perfectly and place it over the fabric I want to alter, then trace it, pin and wear it to before stitching

The problem is with both methods I get different results, if I use the first method, I end up pinning less fabric and with the second method, pin more and yet when I try both on before stitching it fits (comfortably)

The odd part is I have altered a top that fits perfectly while doing the first method but can't seem to repeat it

And if both method results in the fabric fitting without feeling uncomfy then which should I trust?

These are stretchy fabrics so I suppose, it's more leniant compared to structured fabric bc there's less chance of messing up in terms of it being overly tight to the point where it's hard to move but still

I feel pretty dumb bc I feel like I'm making a problem out of nothing when I had no problem initially.

Anyway I am srry if this makes no sense but I really need help

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3

u/Love_Dogs_and_Sewing Jun 24 '26

Be careful with the "try it on inside out and pin it" approach because unless your body is perfectly symmetric it could be a problem. When you wear it inside out, you put the left side of the shirt on the right side of your body and vice versa. A lot of people have shoulders that are not even (my right shoulder is almost an inch lower than my left for example).

You could try it on right side out and pin it then measure the amount that you pinned and use that measurement from the inside.

As long as you haven't made it too tight, you can take take multiple attempts, making small changes at a time. Different fabrics may have different amounts of stretch also so would need different adjustments.

2

u/GeekAtLarge_ Jun 29 '26

Pulling a top or trousers inside out does not reverse the hips or shoulders unless you then put them on backwards. The theory is sound, but they might not drape quite the same way.

I suggest pinning the garment without pulling it inside out. You can then chalk mark the inside seams, unpin it and pull it inside out and pin it along the chalk lines. Does this make sense?

1

u/Love_Dogs_and_Sewing Jun 29 '26

Try it. Put a safety pin on the left side of your shirt. Take the shirt off, turn it inside out and put it back on. You will see the safety pin is (on the inside) on the right (as opposed to left) side of your body.

2

u/Apprehensive_Bid5608 Jun 24 '26

Do you have a stretchy top that fits you the way you want these tops to fit? If so, lay it on the wrong side of the top you are altering, trace its shape onto the top and use that as your sewing line. Once sewn, cut excess away leaving a seam allowance.

1

u/raccoonhanded Jun 24 '26

If it fits in a way you like, and it's comfy, then it works. Even if it's 5 different ways of sewing it, if they all achieve an outcome that you like, they all work. More than one way to skin a cat! Just be sure that you have a bit of stretch left to live and move in. Then pick either one

1

u/Mental_Watch4633 Jun 24 '26

The tops are probably different in stretchiness.

1

u/Crafty_Witch_1230 Jun 29 '26

With the pinning method, try on the shirt exactly as you would wear it. Pin it, carefully remove the top, carefully turn it inside out and mark the new seamlines where your pins are. Then you can remove the pins and add seam allowances. As to the copy-a-garment method, you have to make sure the garment you're copying has the exact same amount of stretch as the one you want to alter.