gladgirl

Not a quilting question but a sewing one. DH has grown a belly over the years, and his dress shirts are all tight. Some to the point they don't even button up. I plan to try to open the seams from the bottom up to about 6" below the armhole, take the shirt tail off the back of the shirt and use it to make a gusset for each side, but don't know how to shape the gusset. Probably it would be an elongated triangle. I'd only need about an inch on each side. Has anyone had to do this? Is there a better way? Hope someone can guide me.

bluteddi

I'm all for repurposing.. but honestly, this sounds like a LOT of WORK!!! I hate altering , IN is bad enough but out??? and to have to ADD fabric into it?>??? Not me sister!!!

Good Luck with this very ambitious endeavor....

EskapetheNorm

My husband hates long sleeves, so I have converted some long sleeves into short sleeves. Seems simple, cut and hem but it was a pain ... I am afraid that I agree with bluteddi. If you like the fabric of the shirts for quilting grab it ... and buy him a new one. BTW, what size does he need? My hubby wears 2XL2XT (double XL double tall) and I can find these at JC Penney and sometimes the Goodwill.

sewgull

You would better off getting a larger size, or have him lose weight. The shirt will most likely not fit well with a gussott set in the sides. Beside it will not look good.
I have done alterations, and this is one I don't think I recommond.
This my opinion.

bearisgray

One can sometimes find GREAT men's shirts at thrift shops for $3 to $5 that look new or almost new.

If you are determined to do this - I would split it up into the sleeve and then put a contrasting color in it so it would look like it was meant to have a piece on each side.

Oh, oh - you said DRESS shirts -

I really think that alteration would look dorky - and if he needs to wear a dress shirt, it probably should be one that fits relatively well.

Or get him a belly cincher - if a woman was wearing it, it would be called a girdle or body shaper.

Ramona Byrd

I sometimes put a gusset in MY shirts/blouses, but that is to add inches to the upper arm and bust. I don't think it would do much good for the waistline at all, and you'd have to put it down to the bottom of the shirt, which would show as double seams and possibly make him refuse to wear them.

I, too, suggest simply getting new shirts for him, and maybe starting him on some push ups and tummy lifts. Without saying anything, go online and buy him the book by Charles Atlas. I got this for my son before he went into the Navy, because I'd remembered a pair of my older cousins in the early 1940s doing this before joining the Army. Of course, these were farm boys and used to heavy work, but even women can do some of the exercises. Maybe now that I've remembered it, I'll try to see if it's still around here and try a few of the exercises myself. After all, I'm only 77 and need a little toning. Well, a lot of toning.

cinnya

Plus if you take the tail of the shirt, it will never stay tucked in the pants.
That would drive me crazy.

QuiltE

Ditto to Cinnya ... removal of the shirt tale may not be the answer.

Besides, remember the insert would look a bit odd.

Might be better to buy a few new ones or to visit the local thrift shops for some replacements ..... and re-purpose his current shirts into a new quilt!! :)

Shelbie

Triangular gussets are difficult to insert and have them lie flat and even. I see shirt shopping in your furture.

gladgirl

I wrote here hoping you gals would give me some sound advice, and you did! You made me change my mind. I was skeptical, so I asked you all. DH is a size 16, except for the belly. I've been reluctant to buy a 17, thinking it would hang off the shoulders, and sleeves would be too long. However, I'm going to shop for a 17 this morning and hope it fits.

Ramona, I thought I was the old timer here, but at 77 you have me beat by 5 years. Good luck with your exercises, old girl. The most I get, sorry to say, is my right ankle working up and down on the foot pedal!