HOW TO MAKE A NECKLINE SMALLER: 4 WAYS!

[@oksills]

I just stumbled on to your channel. I cannot sew nor do I have any interest in sewing . I’d actually rather take a whipping than try to learn it. However , your personality is so charming and charismatic that I throughly enjoyed your lesson. I think I’ll be back. I cannot believe it!

[@CatherineSews]

That is such a cute and funny comment. I never thought that someone with no interest in sewing would enjoy my channel! Thanks!

[@debcobb9739]

These are great techniques that I have used also. Two that I also do is the take up the shoulders seams. It brings the neckline up without too much effort and I will also pinch the neckline in the back and take it up as a pleat...then flatten it out and stitch it down... it makes a different look to the garment and solves the problem. Thanks for sharing.

[@sylviamaxwell504]

Me too

[@danielowen7190]

@@sylviamaxwell504 Hi dear, how are you doing today?

[@CatherineSews]

I think I get what you mean, and it sounds like a good idea! Thanks!

[@askline6]

Would love to visually see this! Sounds like something I could use...I have thinner arms and small neckline!

[@turnerasylum]

My tiny tweek for a gaping neckline is to use crochet cotton & run it through the ribbing without catching any fabric & just tighten up the neck just a bit, not enough to gather the ribbing. I go all around the neckline & then come out where I went in, usually at a shoulder seam for round or scoop neckline or from the center front point for a V-neck. I loop the thread around the inside seam a few times but leave the exit thread loose. That way I can tighten or loosen as needed when I try it on & then I can loop it around the inside seam & tie off. It holds snug without stretching out of shape. So many necklines flop over on items made overseas & I do this rather than removing & restitching the ribbing. It looks nicer & it doesn't destroy the fabric as can happen.

[@Kera.S.]

My husband loves tight neck t-shirts. I have threaded elastic and put it through the neck band, tie to the circumference necessary, fray check the knot and hole in the band and bury the ends... I've done all of his work shirts and now most of his others too. He loves it!

[@createwithbarbbl4125]

Thank you Catherine, being short I have a lot of issues with necklines so these tips are a great help.

[@tocarolyntkrz8963]

Opens a whole new world when I can close a neckline! Thank you for the great tips and instructions, Catherine!

[@allisonclark694]

Thanks I am glad you showed this I always have problems with necklines being to wide or too deep

[@terriiii8785]

You are so pleasant to listen to... rather therapeutic!

[@jdcogar180]

Love how you showed these saves for necklines. They can be very handy when adjusting a shirt that you really like but don't wear because it just doesn't lay right. Thanks as always.

[@phylliswynne7451]

Enjoyed your video, and thank you for talking with a normal speed that matches the work you are doing. And your voice is perfect for instruction.

[@karenolson7855]

I love your videos! I’ve been seeing since I was 10, but stopped garment sewing some years ago- no time, the kids wanted name brands, couldn’t find garment fabrics I liked, etc. I recently started sewing for myself again and love reminders of some techniques and intro to new ones! You’re a great instructor!

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks so much, Karen. I'm glad to hear that you've started sewing for yourself again! It's such good ME time!

[@caroleferguson7771]

Thanks. You are one of a few that make sewing simple with down to earth instructions

[@CatherineSews]

Thank you. I really like your description of my channel!

[@littlelady7843]

Such good tips! I have added lace to neck line before. It is not very easy to sew it even and flat. After watching this video, I implemented tip 2- pin tuck sew to a Tshirt I just bought. It fits nicely except the neck line a little too low. It took me 5 min, measuring, marking, sewing. And wow! The neckline got lifted, but maintains its shape. It looks so nice and interesting..... Thank you, Catherine. This will be my go-to tool for fixing low necklines.....

[@nanasloves]

I enjoy your voice and I love how you just give things a shot to see if you like it. I overthink and am uptight the whole time. You are a great example. Thanks!

[@mjaylith5232]

Being petite, I alter a lot of my clothes. One easy fix, if its just alittle too big, is to do it at the shoulders. When you turn tour garment inside out you'll see that most are sewn at a slant going upward to the neck; start at the shoulder sleeve seam and gradually sewing towards the neck, straighten it out, goodness its harder to explain than I realized! Works though.

[@CatherineSews]

Hmmm, I wish I could tell what you mean, MJay! Maybe we could do a collab video and you could teach me, lol.

[@mjaylith5232]

@@CatherineSews Oooh, I guess I hoped you knew about the shoulder! Darn, it works about 70% of the time. 😩 Maybe I'll think of a better way to describe it. lol My guess is I've been sewing like 40 yrs😁

[@JeanneLugertLadyTatsLace]

@@CatherineSews I think I know what MJay was saying, if you turn the t-shirt inside out, and lay it flat, often the shoulder seam will slant up from the sleeve seam to the neck band. If you sew the shoulder seam flatter, it would shorten up the neckline a bit. which would raise the length and make the neckline smaller.

[@rhodaholt9922]

My problem is straight shoulders most seams are slanted. So I am thinking the shoulder seam sewing would give me a better solution

[@mjaylith5232]

@@JeanneLugertLadyTatsLace Yea, you got it!

[@anitawebster9450]

I have saved SO MANY of your videos for future reference!💛 Even when i think "this really doesn't apply to me", by the end of the video I can see a possible time in the future when i might need one of the ideas...

[@carlap748]

I am a total noob with zero experience in sewing. I've been thinking about customising my clothes to fit me instead of buying new clothes (my weight yoyos a lot) so I've been doing a bit of research to see how easy/hard this would be. Your videos explain it in a way where I feel confident to try it and maybe not totally mess it up 😂. New subscriber here 😊

[@CatherineSews]

That's great, Carla! It's really great to have you on board!

[@eugenia1263]

I am doing research to try this myself but now I’m just letting this play because I love your voice 😂 it’s relaxing loll

[@lucilledaub5991]

Great neckline

[@emilysmith2784]

Love the elastic idea. I’ve done the lace insert on a few, I also add some lace to the edges of the sleeves too so it looks more interesting and intentional

[@eileenball3336]

Thank you for this, I hate a low neckline and did wonder what would happen if I did something as you've described but didn't want the hassle of all that unpicking in case it didn't solve the problem. So thank you for taking one for the team and your excellent instruction.

[@lucilledaub5991]

Nice work on the shortening of the neck band.

[@jessiebrown6084]

A lint roller is really good for picking up all the tiny threads after using a seam ripper.

[@CatherineSews]

Good tip!

[@heatherannekennedy9368]

Really good tips - I've often passed over thrifted shirts because of the neckline - now that I have your tips in my alterations arsenal, I will pick them up! Thank you!

[@danielowen7190]

Hi dear, how are you doing today?

[@CatherineSews]

Right!? It was not hard to find examples of shirts with necklines that were too low!

[@elizabethharris4701]

Your voice is so soothing! I have learned so much watching your videos. Please keep doing them, I am a newbie and need all the help I can get!

[@CatherineSews]

Thank you! Will do!

[@danielowen7190]

Hi dear, how are you doing today?

[@joycej9415]

So many have annoying and loud music and/or go on and on with unnecessary talk. Glad to find you, and this is something I have been trying to decide to do. Thanks for sharing! When I have to unpick seams, I like to do that while watching tv so it seems to go pretty quickly 😅

[@susanskidmore9516]

Excellent video! You are such a good teacher and present in a clear organized way making it easy to receive the info. I really appreciate the soft music background and absence of visual clutter. Thank you for your efforts. I learned a lot. 😊

[@CatherineSews]

You are so welcome! And thanks for the detailed comment. That's great feedback.

[@pixels2u]

I just received 4 new nightgowns (loungewear) that I really like, but the vee-necks are all too deep. I knew you'd have a video with ideas for this! Yay. I love #1 if I can just find the right fabric. Thx very much. 💗

[@glendagonzalez2469]

I have been wanting to learn to sew for years. So glad I found this channel. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge.

[@donnamitchell8448]

I have several tops I will use this lesson of sewing on. I have altered some tops to take in the large necklines but I have others that totally stumped me on how to go about it. Your great and I appreciate your videos!!!

[@michiganlighthouse]

Exactly what I needed! My favorite brands of clothing have not been fitting me as well anymore due to changes in my frame as I age. I like to wear knits and tees at home, but switch to shirts and blouses when I go out due to your mom's issues.❤ Love these solutions. ❤

[@melaniesumner167]

I love watching and listening to you even though i haven't sewed since my children grew up! Maybe you'll inspire me since i just set up my machine in the spare room!😊❤

[@robertawearmouth2273]

Thanks for taking one for the team! LOL I just did one another weird way. I turned the shirt inside out and took the shoulder seam in at the top and just kept going down onto the sleeve and tapered it so it wasn't taken in as much on the sleeve. I ended up with a seam on the sleeve, but it looked ok. I did it on a shirt that was just too big everywhere and also took in the sides.

[@lucindas2931]

This is so helpful! I can think of a couple of tops I never wear because of neckline issues and I can’t wait to give it a try!

[@danielowen7190]

Hi dear, how are you doing today?

[@helenwood3199]

I have inserted an inverted box pleat in center front and back of the neckband, top stitching in the prior seam to flatten the fold on the inside.

[@mungbean345]

This was really helpful in comparing the possible results for each technique. It helped me feel more comfortable in choosing to stick with adding insets even though it can take time to find the best match of shirt to fill the gap.

[@bhallmark3390]

Seeing your examples has opened my eyes to more possibilities in some of the shirts I have that have some issues. The example with the little tucks was very interesting! Now I’m going to check your other videos to see if you’ve covered how to deal with a t-shirt that is too long and unflattering. Thank you so much for sharing your talents with us!!…..❤️Brenda

[@jbartrug574]

Just what I needed. I just tried a new pattern with a V-Neck and I think I cut it too big. I’ve left it sit for a few days while I tried to figure out what to do. You’ve answered my question. Thank you.

[@vickismallwood2082]

Yes a fantastic video. I am so happy I found you. You give me confidence in the fact I can do these projects.

[@sherryljo]

Awesome video, Catherine. So informative! I have a short upper torso, so I am constantly needed to bring my tees in at the shoulders, and your creative way to remove the neck band and ease the t-shirt in will be a good method for me. My necklines are SO low if I don't bring my shirts in at the shoulders, and this gives me a solution to keep that neckband looking unaltered! Thank you.

[@begonial6151]

Love the pin tucks. Not sure if you use clear elastic but it is great for knits. I use it to keep seams from stretching. It is good for necklines if you have fabric to fold over it . Necklines are so important for comfort. Not too high, not too low….thanks for the videos.

[@CatherineSews]

No, I haven't experimented much with clear elastic. I'll try it on a neckline soon! Thanks for the tip!

[@sallydavidson4471]

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your videos! You make whatever project you're working on make sense! After watching several of your videos it makes me want to "attempt" sewing again. I know the sewing machines you use are probably top of the line but can you suggest a beginners model that would be appropriate for someone that wants to follow along with your video content and perhaps fix an item or two? You explain these fixes so well and have a great online presence. Thank you for helping all of us less talented individuals! I was just thinking of asking you how to fix neck holes that are too large, too lowcut and are cut too wide allowing the bra straps to show! Thanks again!

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks for the comment, Sally! The machine I use is a BabyLock Sophia2, which I love, but the beginner's version of that is the BabyLock Jubilant. It's great too, and much less expensive. But honestly, my best advice is to buy a cheap sewing machine and then as soon as you can afford it, buy a serger too. You will love it!

[@michiganlighthouse]

I've learned to purchase the best machine you can afford after reading reviews. Look also at YT demos for 2-3 machines you're considering. I've had a no-brand, cheaper machine 2x in my life, and my husband could fuss them into working, but I'm not mechanical and found them too fiddly. A huge part of machine sewing in threading the bobbin and machine. You want something quick and reliable. So watch for that in reviews.

[@mossdarragh]

i haven't sewn any of my clothing in a long, long time, so restarting i may be at beginner level... but i absolutely love listening to you talk about all the ways one can alter clothing, and it makes me want to invest in a sewing machine so i can start altering my clothing to fit me better - i don't often feel very confident in my body with the clothing i wear nowadays, i mean, i'm 24 and i haven't worn clothing that makes me happy since high school. but this channel feels like inspiration to really do what feels good for myself and i really appreciate everything you do here ! thank you for another lovely, informative video.

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks for the lovely comment, Moss! I hope my videos can inspire you to start sewing!

[@reneecailloux2573]

That last one was another level of difficulty! I just discovered your channel and I love your ideas. Impressive! Love your style. Thanks

[@nikiTricoteuse]

Solidly good tips. Thank you so much. Also, thanks for passing on the soap tip. Just wanted to add, if the thread isn't an exact, exact match, like you mention in the first alteration, it would be a good idea to continue the stitching all around the neckline or, at least up to the shoulder seams as it would look like it had been manufactured that way.

[@sheribazar698]

I love your videos! I too have been sewing for a long time and continue to learn from your videos. Thank you for taking the time to make them.

[@rosemarymartens3030]

I just found your videos and am so glad as I have a few things in need of taking in. Thank you. Now let’s hope I can find you again.

[@rinacraig7307]

Phew ...so impressive!!!! Thanks for shareing 😅 Blessings from South Africa 🇿🇦

[@askline6]

I really like your tips...so applicable to real life. Love your presentation!

[@mary-louw2946]

This is often a problem for me because I have small shoulders. Good techniques to add to my tool belt. I love the pin tucks one and the lace fake camisole one. Thanks Catherine!

[@jozefbols4386]

Hey Catherine, some time ago I used a piece of wide elastic in almost the same color of the shirt to make the neckline less deep! And afterwards I sewed some rhinestones and small pearls onto the elastic. I have to do everything by hand cause I really can not work with a sewing machine!! Love from Pinkie

[@rubricsuxi]

Thank you for your labor of love in unpicking! Love your alterations and will subscribe!

[@grandmaisback6052]

Thank you... having gone down from a size 18 to a childs size 14, I can still use my tops except the neckline is too big... this will help. ... the top will now be a baggy look but still ok to wear with a smaller neckline ... I will try the first and last options ...

[@itsmyparty4637]

HI Catherine, thanks for another fantastic video. I was watching you pinning the lace insert and a trick I came up with for doing this sort of thing is - I would put my item on the ironing board and then slip a piece of hard plastic like a flat file ( stationery type) underneath, where you want to pin, then you can pin more accurately without the items slipping around, as the pin does not go through the plastic. HOpe I have explained correctly :)

[@CatherineSews]

Yes, great tip! Thanks!

[@karenmaddox1212]

I have half a dozen shirts I can fix now and wear. Your tips are the best. You make alterations very doable

[@jomackenzie5850]

Thank you so much for this! I lost a buch of weight (yay!) and all of my tops art too big especially around the neckline. This is going to help me a lot! Can't wait to get sewing.

[@mrgarner4796]

I have 3 tops that I am going to attempt at least one of your techniques. Thank you for sharing them.

[@matrixmom3300]

Great ideas...definitely bookmarked this video for future neckline fixes!! Love how you show what fix to use on which tshirt, as newbie sewist, this is what is most challenging for me. What technique to use and WHY. Thanks for giving us your"whys"

[@tamatullah]

Those were great instructions. I learned a lot, thank you!

[@WaxahachieTexas1]

Just happened upon your channel. You're such a good instructor--clear and thorough. Thanks!

[@kathycasey9521]

Very interesting. I have narrow shoulders and this is a constant issue with me. Thanks!

[@audreyborders6138]

I am so excited to have found your videos. They are truly an inspiration for me. I've recently lost 125 pounds, and I'm eager to create my own style now that large and frumpy don't need to be in the description. ~ Can you help with restyling/redesigning pants? I am 5'1" but find that even petite sizes don't fit. I have a VERY short rise and absolutely NO bottom, thus my backside is totally flat and shapeless. I usually roll the waistband several times on pants to bring the crotch up to a comfortable position, but even then the bottom hangs down. Please HELP. Do you have a tutorial on this problem or any suggestions? ~ Thank you. I appreciate any help you can give me.

[@CatherineSews]

Hi Audrey, congrats on the weight loss! I hope you feel great. I think you would do well to draft your own pant sloper. I wish I had a video that would help you with this, but I know there are some good ones out there. Once you draft your basic pattern, you'll be able to make style changes while still preserving a good fit. Best of luck with it.

[@pamelagray4090]

Really love your site. I have only one request that maybe if you could find a lighter color garment to show samples. Thanks and God Bless!

[@sylviamaxwell504]

Have added lace to the neckline of my girlfriend's tops, and another one, a contrasting fabric color. My shoulders are narrow, so I've added elastic in the back neck area to make it smaller, so that brings up the sleeves and neck

[@CatherineSews]

Yes, I thought that adding lace would've been another good technique to show. Maybe I'll do a part 2!

[@bodon2306]

I found the section on removing the neck band very interesting. Thank you

[@sheilaghgiddings4413]

You are very talented, I’m learning a lot from you. Thank you, once more😊

[@vilmamoulic1299]

Very helpful ..love it ...watching from Philippines

[@sarawelder1]

I almost always have to raise necklines due to bilateral mastectomies. I would love to see how you would tackle this problem on a linen dress that has sleeves. thanks as always for your generosity. You have given me confidence to tackle much bigger problems that I ever thought possible.

[@DenBank1]

The first and last techniques are my favourites, thanks

[@kriskeuler4455]

Thanks so very much for the perfect tutorial ❤❤❤just found a cute second hand tee with a too low neckline and I knew that you would have the perfect fix for me❤❤❤a million thanks 🥰

[@tammyshinabery8818]

WOW FANTASTIC VIDEO...... THE first two nice and easy, I will have to do a little practice on the third technique, but understand it now thank you

[@queenofallcats7138]

I love your videos

[@TO-bg1sy]

Love your videos! You have some very clever ideas! I have some tops gifted to me that were one or two sizes too big. And will apply your practices. Would like to see how to make shoulders smaller!

[@NolaHarris]

I love your video's you make things seem so simple I think I may start to sew again. Thanks so much!!!!

[@theresaromatowski9536]

Hi Catherine, I've had this problem with too wide and low necklines. I have extra large arms, and large busts, but narrow shoulders. This requires larger sized tops, but then WAY to WIDE and Low necklines. That slide off sides at shoulders. I'm sure your solutions are going to correct this. I have also use a smaller sized scooped neck "T" shirt cut as a mock "dickie", and sew it into the neckline of the oversized top to take up the extra space for a neat alteration. I will add a few inches of the smaller "T" to the bottom of the sleeves to cover the heavier area of my arms. Sometimes I'll do small pleats for more flair, and if enough fabric add to the bottom edge at hem. This pulls the look of 2 different colors together in style. Then my tops are much more comfortable, and no readjusting the whole time I'm wearing them. I'm happy to upcycle, and not be looking for the "perfect top", when I already have the extra items for them in my closet. Thank you for your easy to listen to instructions, and doable alterations. Bless you.

[@nancybarroso1450]

Thanks so much for sharing, I was just about to get rid of a few blouses that I can now fix thanks to your video.

[@CatherineSews]

Great to hear, Nancy!

[@cindyjordan2505]

Really great ideas and varieties. Very helpful. Thanks

[@cjane51]

Excellent Catherine. Thanks so much. I learned a lot.

[@antoniahole4386]

Thanks I needed the idea for shrinking a neckline, and for sharing your ideas with us

[@robyngibbs595]

Thanks Catherine, very helpful!

[@leeannedewsnup9688]

I have one more for you. I use stretch elastic thread double it and using a darning needle put it in the casing at the seam, thread it threw to the seam again and tie the ends together the size you want it to be.

[@angieharriman3378]

Great tips. Thanks. I usually have more trouble with pants being too large in the waist but not enough room in the thighs.

[@choctaw5050]

Great idea to just take the neck up in the back. It was refreshing to hear you sorta grumble about picking out those little threads…. You really did take it for the team. Lol

[@wandathompson9811]

Another method I have used is to thread a wide eyed needle with thin elastic and run it inside the seam allowance. Thanks for sharing your methods.

[@momtomany]

I bought a dress that I’m going to have to take apart to make it smaller. Wish me luck! 😉

[@matadaniel6520]

This looks so easy... but thank u so much... loved this 👍

[@MariaDavids-db2pt]

Thanks Catherine ❤

[@jeanhattingh4754]

I learned to correct faulty neck lines. Thank you.

[@Sophie-ei6zh]

Great video. Can you please make more different styles of upcycled t-shirts? More different necklines and how to make the twist at the bottom center hem of t-shirt. Thanks for your great tutorials.

[@dawnecamacho2601]

I have a T-shirt that the neck is big and I will do the tucks to lift it. Thanks for the idea.

[@marjoriegoodman7708]

I've ordered some shirts off of Temu and it's hit and miss on weather the they fit or not. So this video is going to help so much. Thank you

[@agourdiva]

Just what I needed after breast surgery, thanks so much.

[@CatherineSews]

Lotsa love to you as a fellow BC survivor!

[@cindyehnes7467]

Great tips! Next time use light colored tops so we can see what the stitching and results look like. Can't really see them on dark material.

[@conniesmith9989]

Hi. Thank you. Some great tips...

[@wolfmangaming3066]

Thank you! New to sewing and love all of your videos

[@countrygal3688]

Instead of sewing double lines around the neckline, have you used a twin needle? I have used them in various ways, and love them. You can buy them in different widths for the look you want.

[@kiracummins3150]

I've had a few dresses whose necklines were just too big all the way around. In one, darts at the shoulder seam brought the front up so I wasn't flashing the world. In another, darts in the back on either side of the neck closed the hole enough so it couldn't roll forward (where the shoulder seams wind up on the front instead of the top of the shoulder).

[@sharmareeves9344]

¹

[@gloglos100]

Yes, she is so helpful. I thrifted a wonderful camel hair jacket, has shoulder pads too big, can be fixed so nicely from her inspiration.

[@eloisegross9656]

This is my first time watching you and really enjoyed your show. 👍 Now I'm going to scroll down to see if you have any dress sewing video.

[@CatherineSews]

Glad to have you on board! I don't see a lot of dresses, mainly because I don't wear them often, but I hope you still find some videos that interest you on my channel!

[@lana7422]

Terrific tips! Thanks so much!

[@mogroable]

Thank you. This is exactly what I needed!

[@cindydrake7057]

Do you by any chance have a video that shows how to change a shirt with sleeves into a sleeveless shirt? If so, could you point me to it? I can't find it. I've already used several of your methods and have had great success with them. I've been sewing for over 40 years but there's always something new to be learned, right? Thanks so much for your excellent instruction. :)