How to Upsize a Playsuit

I had my fingers and toes crossed that this adorable polka dot playsuit I thrifted online would fit:

how to upsize a playsuit

Of course not as apparently my torso is abnormally long and my bosom simply too ample to be contained in the very general size of “M”.

This is not my first refashion of a short-waisted, chest restricting garment so I thought I’d try to come up with a new idea and figure out just how to upsize a playsuit:

how to upsize a playsuit

I grabbed one of the kiddo’s old t-shirts and a roll of vintage lace.

how to upsize a playsuit

Chopped the top from the bottom of the playsuit just under the waist seam.

how to upsize a playsuit

Grabbed the top and chopped the underside of the sides and sleeves open following the seams.

how to upsize a playsuit

I stopped my cuts just above the sleeve cuffs to keep them intact.

how to upsize a playsuit

Then I grabbed that vintage lace and arranged it on top of one of the cut sides with right sides facing.

how to upsize a playsuit

Stitched it on and zigzagged over the seam for extra strength and to help prevent fraying.

how to upsize a playsuit

Then stitched the opposite side of the lace to the remaining open edge of that side of the top.

(and repeated the whole process on the other chopped side of the top)

how to upsize a playsuit

Then stitched a length of lace all around the raw bottom edge of the top.

how to upsize a playsuit

 And zigzagged over the outside seam to help it lay flat and prevent fraying.

how to upsize a playsuit

And my fancy perfectly fitting top was complete! Onto the bottoms:

how to upsize a playsuit

I chopped that kiddo shirt in half under the arms.

(using the bottom of a child-size tee that fits comfortably around my waist means I don’t have to faff around trying to stitch together a perfectly fitting waistband)

how to upsize a playsuit

I folded the bottom of the t-shirt back over itself to create a smaller tube and stitched the open edges together.

how to upsize a playsuit

Popped my new waistband over the top of the chopped playsuit bottom with right sides facing and raw edges lined up.

how to upsize a playsuit

Stitched them together.

how to upsize a playsuit

And once again zigzagged that outside seam.

how to upsize a playsuit

Et voila! Fab new high waisted shorts!

How to upsize a playsuit

Pretty darn cute!

I adore quick and easy refashions that are also awesomely useful too! Grab all of my upsizing tutorials right here and make those tight garments fit again!

2021 Update: 

After 5 years that playsuit top needed another upsize so I added some length and a panel to the back:

Check out my E-courses right over here:

and transform your entire wardrobe for pennies with my groovy CoaR tutorial E-book collections right here:

4 Comments

  1. I can certainly relate to this one…I’m usually upsizing, and I too have a loooonnnggg torso!

    1. I have no idea what body type most jumpsuits, playsuits and mini dresses are made for but they usually need some major work to fit me properly – or just get left on the rack for a shorter torso’d lassie 😉

  2. Pretty clever stuff, and super versatile separates, too. Can’t go wrong with polkadots!

    1. I’m thrilled with this refashion! I was a bit worried about the top upsize but it came out great 😀

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