Mend It Monday: altering a too-big shirt

Have you ever bought clothing that didn't fit, just because it was on sale or the print was really cute? That's my whole life. The worst part is, I didn't even notice I was doing it. Then I met my husband and he bluntly told me that I wasn't a size medium or large and to stop buying baggy clothes.

I'd like to say I bought this shirt before he gave me that advice...but I didn't. In my defense, it was purchased at the end of my pregnancy, and it was intended to be a pretty, blousy transition piece for those post-baby, "ewwww whose body is this? Hurry and cover it up" days. Which it was. There's a lovely ruffle and ribbon along the neckline, which helped me feel feminine when I was covered in spit-up. But those days are behind me, and it was time to make this shirt into something I can actually wear.

The biggest issue is the neckline. It's too wide, and it makes the whole shirt look too big. The sleeves drop off my shoulders it's so wide. No good. The sleeves are raglan-style, so I decided it shouldn't be too hard to take in the shirt at these seams.

Essentially, I sewed a dart at all four sleeve/bodice seams. I folded the fabric right-sides together and marked the dart. The size of the dart was somewhat arbitrary (1/2" wide at the top and 2" down), I just did what looked right. 

The important part was to make sure the ribbon on the outside of the shirt matched up after the dart was sewn.

Ten or fifteen minutes later, and the shirt was fixed! The front neckline was raised and the shoulders are more narrow. The sleeves no longer fall off my shoulders. 

Have you been mending/altering lately? I think I'm about to tackle some of my husband's alterations soon.