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How to Make a Sweater Longer

You can add a ruffle to the bottom of a sweater to make it longer. If your child is outgrowing her favorite sweater, adding a fabric ruffle to the bottom will allow her to wear it for another year. Adding a ruffle will also allow you to update your wardrobe when sweater styles become longer. It can give you a little extra coverage when you would rather wear something loose around your waist or hips.

Things You'll Need

Measuring tape
Fabric
Scissors
Sewing machine
Thread

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the distance around the bottom of the sweater. Stretch the bottom edge of the sweater gently and measure the distance around the bottom edge while the sweater is stretched.
- 2
  Calculate how much longer you would like the sweater to be -- the length of the ruffle you want to add to the sweater. Double this length and add 1 inch. Cut a strip of fabric this wide. The length of the strip should be equal to twice the distance around the unstretched sweater.
- 3
  Fold the strip in half lengthwise with the right side of the fabric in the inside. Sew across the ends of the strip 1/2 inch from the edge. Turn the strip right side out.
- 4
  Sew along the edge of the strip opposite the fold 1/2 inch from the edge with a straight stitch and a long stitch length. Sew a second seam 1/8 inch from the first.
- 5
  Pull the bobbin threads on the seams to gather the fabric until it is as long as the stretched bottom edge of the sweater. Distribute the gathers evenly.
- 6
  Pin the ruffle along the the bottom edge of the sweater with the gathered edge down. Stretch the sweater to fit the ruffle as you pin. Sew the ruffle to the sweater by stitching between the two rows of gathering stitches. Stretch the sweater to fit the ruffle as you sew. Stretching the sweater will allow the sweater to stretch when you wear it.

Sewing