How can I SLIGHTLY Shrink a Shirt?

@AmbiePam (85497)
United States
September 2, 2007 2:06pm CST
This may not be possible. I know if a person washes a certain material in warm water, you can shrink a shirt. But I don't want to make it a size smaller. I bought a shirt yesterday at a store that specializes in selling missized clothing. The sizes are usually only a little off target, and the price is marked down. But they were also moving to a new store, so the changing rooms were not available. And there was a no return policy because of the sale. I went ahead and bought the shirt, but it is slightly too big on the sizes. I put my arms down, and the size material kind of 'billows' out. I don't want it to be tight at all, but I don't want to appear like I'm in a tent. Does anyone have any tips or legit suggestions on how to make this happen? Bu the way, the shirt is 60% cotton, and 40% polyester.
2 people like this
13 responses
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
2 Sep 07
I have done that a couple of times and when I wash it I use hot water for just alittle bit then switch it to warm on the washing machine. Put in the dryer but keep checking on it because some things shrink too much. I hope it works for you.
@AmbiePam (85497)
• United States
2 Sep 07
Thanks for the good idea.
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
14 Sep 07
And thankyou for the best response.
1 person likes this
@Nardz13 (5055)
• New Zealand
3 Sep 07
Hi there. Next time you wash your shirt, dont hang dry it, go stick it in the dryer on hot, this will definetly shrink it, as I did this to my husbands shirt and my sons socks, all accidently lol...
@AmbiePam (85497)
• United States
3 Sep 07
Are you sure it was an accident? LOL
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
2 Sep 07
You could just try putting it in the dryer for a little bit without washing it. I've noticed when I "iron" my clothes that way that they seem to shrink down just a bit.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85497)
• United States
2 Sep 07
Oh good. We iron the same way.
1 person likes this
• Canada
2 Sep 07
You could try washing it the way you would your other clothing and drying it in the dryer a few times before wearing it . A lot of times clothing will shrink a little after it has been washed and dryed a few times so you could try this . If this doesn't work maybe you could sew it so it is smaller or maybe you could give it to someone as a gift that may be a little bigger then you are so you don't lose out on the money you spent on it .
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85497)
• United States
2 Sep 07
I did think of the gift idea. Thank you for backing up that idea. I was afraid that might sound odd.
• United States
3 Sep 07
I wish I could help...but this is not my area...
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85497)
• United States
3 Sep 07
Mine neither! LOL
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
2 Sep 07
I really don't know but if it was at my house and I didn't want it to shrink it would! LOL I think washing it in warm or hot water might do it but I would hang it to dry instead of putting it in the dryer.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85497)
• United States
2 Sep 07
So I just need to reverse psychology my laundry. : ) I bet you could market that idea. There are a lot of people who would believe it!
@babystar1 (4233)
• United States
4 Sep 07
The only way that I no of is to wash it with very hot water and put it in the dryer at the hottest setting. If this does not shrink it enough for you, you may have to give it away to someone else.
@syndhujaa (252)
• India
19 Sep 07
if it is a cotton shirt then ther are chances of shrinking it little..all that yu need to do is to dip the shirt in warm water and dip it over night and wash it the other or next day..the shirt will shrink..but if the shirt is of silk model then ther are very less chances of shrinking and moreover yu wud have bought a brbnded shirt i guess..if yea..then no way..it wont shrink..coz if the shrinks then it might make yu happy but all the ohter customers will nt be happy n it will lose its markt.. so..there are very less chances of shrinking the shirt..but i dont want to put yu down..and my idea might might work.and i guess many wud have given yu that idea..so try it or else i have one more solution..!!!! that is.. yu better put on some weight so that the shirt fits yu right..:D [lolz!]
@AmbiePam (85497)
• United States
19 Sep 07
I'm not sure what you're talking about. You said 'but all the other customers will nt be happy n it will lose its markt.' I'm afraid I don't see why that is relevant. I bought one shirt, part cotton part something else, and it doesn't have anything to do with the market for others who buy it. I just am trying to understand exactly what you mean.
• India
20 Sep 07
wht I exactly meant is that.. only poor quality clothes shrink or fade..! yu cant shrink ure shirt coz yu wud have got a branded shirt and even if it shrinks, then the brand will lose its market and will get a bad impression among customes.. so therz no way to shrink ure shirt and yu better put on weight.. yu gotta my point atleast now..???
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
3 Sep 07
I would try shrinking it by washing. If it cannot be shrinked, I would alter it. Put some folds here and there to form a new design. That, I feel should do the trick.
1 person likes this
@KarenO52 (2950)
• United States
3 Sep 07
I'm no expert, but I don't think you can get a blend like that to shrink. You could try setting your dryer to the hottest setting, and putting your shirt in damp, and then you could take it out every few minutes for a while to see if it's shrinking. I would bet that it won't. Perhaps you could just take it in a little with a few stitches.
1 person likes this
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
3 Sep 07
I don't think that I have better ideas. I think that only warm water can make the shirt shrink slightly. The degree of the warmth of the water needs to be a little higher to make it shrink, but it will probably spoil the shirt.
@maheksaj (117)
3 Sep 07
dude....its never possible to shrink a cloth like tht....only few cotton stuff and others shrink others jus stay the same size or jus loosen up...i guee if tht the case thhen u shld stitch the side of the clothes tht will make a little tighter and may be fits u properly and u may like wearing tht...i guess this works out for u ..bye take care
@AmbiePam (85497)
• United States
3 Sep 07
Actually I'm a dudette.
• India
3 Sep 07
we can shrink our shirt while we stiching our clothes with small nots so that easyly we can shrink and it had a different look in our shirt