Welcome to our article on how to stretch a shirt. These steps below will work on t-shirts, long sleeve t-shirts, shirts, sweaters, and any other pull-over shirt that’s fabric will stretch.
Keep in mind that taking these steps will alter the fabric, making the shirt lighter in weight and also less durable to daily stressors.
Table of Contents
How To Stretch A Shirt
Let these six options help you stretch out your shirt and get it fitting just right.
Stretch with an Iron
Total Time: 3hrs
Cost: $0
Supplies & Tools
- Water basin
- Ironing board
- Iron
- 4 weighted objects
1. Wet entire shirt in cool water before ironing
Wet the entire shirt in cool water, ensuring it’s completely damp. Hold it flat towards the bottom of a bowl or a sink to ensure it’s evenly wet.
2. Wring shirt dry of excess water before ironing
Wring it out to get rid of excess water to prevent dripping. Don’t be shy in this, you are going to iron the shirt so leaving wrinkles and crinkles from a tight grip is not going to be an issue.
3. Lay damp shirt on ironing board
Lay the shirt out on a flat surface, preferably an ironing board. Make sure whatever you’re ironing on can handle the heat. An ironing board is best, but you could also use the countertop or floor if you’re careful. Be sure to clean the surface thoroughly if you are using something other than an ironing board.
4. Iron the shirt with force to stretch it
With your iron on medium-low, start going over the t-shirt using pressure. With the iron in one hand and the shirt in another, start pulling and pressing the shirt out with the iron. Don’t just go over the shirt. Use the iron with force, making the t-shirt stretch as the iron passes over it.
5. Dry the shirt flat with weights
Make sure it’s flat and give it a final tug one last time. Spread it to dry, and place weights around the edges if you like. This ensures it stays at the size it is now, how you want it.
Stretch with a chair
Total Time: 2hr 45min
Cost: $0
Supplies & Tools
- Water basin
- Chair
1. Wet the entire shirt before putting over a chair
Get the entire shirt wet. You can use the washing machine and stretch your shirt after cleaning it. But I suggest you dunk it into a tub of water and hold it down for 30 seconds until full saturated.
2. Wring shirt dry of excess water to not soak chair
Wring the shirt out and pull it over the back of a chair. Wringing out the shirt will first off help the shirt dry faster in it newly stretched form, but also help in not soaking the chair and potentially ruining it long-term.
3. Pull shirt down over back of chair
Pull the damp shirt down over the back of the chair. Pull of the bottom of the shirt and let the shoulders of the shirt pull directly on the top of the chair. Leave the shirt to dry on the back of the chair.
Stretch with conditioner
Total Time: 3hrs
Cost: $0
Supplies & Tools
- Water basin
- Hair conditioner
- Towel
- 4 weighted objects
1. Soak the shirt in water before adding conditioner
Cover the shirt wet in a basin of lukewarm water. You can soak it in the sink, a tub or a large bowl. Make sure to use room temperature-to-lukewarm water and saturate all fabric of the t-shirt.
2. Add conditioner to the shirt and water
Add 1 Tbsp (15 ml) of hair conditioner per 1 quart (1 liter) of water. Or just give it a few solid squirts and you’ll be fine! Once added, mix it up with your hand to make sure the conditioner doesn’t stay in globs and fully dissolves into the water. The hair conditioner will soften the fibres, making them easier to stretch.
3. Keep shirt submerged for 15 minutes in conditioner water
Keep the shirt submerged for 15 minutes. It’s easiest to put the t-shirt on top of the bowl or sink and then gently press it into the water, making sure the conditioned water gets into every fiber of the t-shirt. If it’s wadded up, areas of the shirt will shrink differently.
4. Rinse shirt of conditioner thoroughly
Rinse the t-shirt thoroughly. Take the shirt out of the bowl, dump the water, and refill it with clean, cool water (or use a different bowl).
5. Wring shirt out and lay flat
Wring out the shirt so it’s damp, not soaking, and find a flat place to lay out the shirt. You can use your dryer, a countertop, or the floor works well. Lay down some towels first to protect the shirt (and the surface, if you don’t want it wet.)
6. Use your hands to stretch the shirt
Pull and ply the shirt in areas you want to be stretched. Do not have the buttons buttoned-up at this time, or you will loosen them and may even pull them off completely.
7. Lay stretched shirt out on towel to dry
Spread the stretched shirt out on a towel to dry. If you’re worried about it shrinking, place weights on the edges. If you’re looking for a larger bust or stomach, you can place objects within the t-shirt to stretch those areas out even more.
While your stretching your shirt, take the time to stretch your clothes that are too tight.
FAQ
You can stretch shirts to make them bigger if they are made from cotton or other fabrics that allow for some stretch. The best way to stretch your shirt is to get it wet and pull on the areas you want to be stretched.
The quickest way to stretch your clothes is to put them on and bend, pull, and twist them. By moving and pulling at sharp angles, the fabric will be forced to stretch. This is your best short term option for a quick stretch.
The best way to stretch the width of your shirt is to get it wet and pull on the torso and waist of it. Once you have stretched it enough, lay it flat on a table and put weights on the edges of the waist, so it dries in the new shape.
To stretch your shirt to the max, you need to find a friend larger than you and get them to put it on. Get them to wear it while they sleep and give it back to you in the morning. This will stretch your shirt all over.
