how do you take in a sweater on the sides to make it fit tighter?

Answer 1

Put it on inside out and pinch the material on each side equally until you find how tight you want it to be. Use pins (I use safety pins so I don't get poked) to pin the front and back together up the sides of the sweater where you want the new seam to be. You can even go up to the armpit area and down the sleeves if you want. Take the sweater off. Lay it flat and make sure that you have marked the new seam equally on both sides and that it's even. Make sure the bottom of the sweater is even and that the front is not somehow higher than the back or vice versa. It should lay perfectly flat and even if you pinned it right. Then, use a sewing machine or hand sew along the line you marked with the pins. Then, cut off the extra material. This is how I sew all my shirts that are too big.

It's easier to use straight pins but I don't because I always get scratched when I pull the sweater off. It's best to practice this on an old shirt before you sew the sweater you really like so you get the hang of it.

It's not very professional but it works!

Answer 2

the best way to do it depending on the fabric of course is to take the seam out, by that time, from the arms down it will not be together. pin it up to however tight you want it, and use a sowing machine to put the right stich back in all the way up to the sleve, once finished cut off the extra material and your done!

Answer 3

it might look odd, but you could try sewing in some darts. I would try it on a sweater you don't wear anymore first. Two darts in the front, and four in the back would take off about three inches, depending on the size of your darts of course.