Q&A

By Marla Stefanelli

Is it possible to resize a sweater?
Allison D.,
e-mail

Sure it's possible to resize a sweater. People tend to fear knits because of the ravel factor. If you cut knit garments across the ribs, they'll ravel easily unless they're stitched before cutting to secure the yarns (3). If you cut parallel to the ribs, the knit won't ravel unless you pull and purposely ravel it. The following instructions assume the sweater-body and sleeve lengths are okay.

Turn the sweater wrong side out. Place another sweater that fits the way you like, on top of the over-large sweater, matching the neck and shoulder seams. Pin-mark the side seams and sleeve seams (4).

Hand-baste along the pins with a contrasting thread; this will be easier to see when machine stitching the seam. Using thread to match the sweater, stitch along the basting.

If you're using a sewing machine, adjust for a medium-width zigzag with a 2 mm stitch length. If serging, use a three- or four-thread overlock stitch. Don't stretch the sweater as you sew.

For zigzagged seams, trim the seam allowance to 1/4", and finish the seam allowances with a long, wide zigzag.

From the December 2004 issue of Sew News magazine.