The opposite of shrinking?

[lovetoscrap]

I bought a knit shirt a few years ago that I wear infrequently. Mostly because it never fit quite right. It seemed okay the first few times I wore it just seemed like it was a bit too big. The next winter it seemed like it was even bigger-- I didn't think much of it and just thought that maybe I had bought it a bit bigger size than I needed. I had bought it to wear under a certain sweater so I could still wear it. Then this winter I put it on in November and it really was baggy and hung funny so I actually bought another shirt at the same store to go under that sweater a few weeks later. While it would be nice to think that I was getting smaller, that was unfortunately not the case.

I pulled it out of the closet yesterday to try again- I really love the color and style of this shirt-- and it was ENORMOUS! I mean, like a circus tent gigantic! Now I wear a big size but this is ridiculous-- it has stretched completely out sideways. The neckline is at the edge of my shoulders and the 3/4 sleeves go down past my wrists. It now barely comes to my waistband (it went down past my hips when I bought it) and you could literally fit 2 of me in it. I held it up to a different shirt I have that is very loose fitting and this one is at least 10 inches bigger than it in width now.

I have no idea what happened to this shirt. The really weird part is that it is 100% cotton. I thought you only had to worry about shrinking with all cotton. I have always washed it just like the directions say and it really has only been worn probably less than 10 times in the last 3 years. DH and I had a good laugh over it last night. It looks on me like if my 10 year old put on one of my (normal) plus sized shirts only very short.

Anyone else ever have something like this happen?


(and no, I am not going to contact the store/manufacturer or try to return it. I got a good laugh out of it, but would like to know what I did to cause it)

 

[Danemom]

I have no idea what could cause that, but I kind of wish all my clothes did it! What an ego boost!

 

[southern_redhead]

I believe any clothing that doesn't contain any synthetic fibers (not sure if it is only spandex or if there are other synthetics that work) is at risk for losing shape. I have a few cotton shirts that have done it. Many times a bit of spandex will be added to keep the item (especially a fitted shirt) true to shape. It can be frustrating. I usually chunk the shirt, they aren't good for much when it hardly covers your midsection or shoulders but you could wrap the sleeves around you twice LOL

 

[JessicaR]

I bought a knit shirt a few years ago that I wear infrequently. Mostly because it never fit quite right. It seemed okay the first few times I wore it just seemed like it was a bit too big. The next winter it seemed like it was even bigger-- I didn't think much of it and just thought that maybe I had bought it a bit bigger size than I needed. I had bought it to wear under a certain sweater so I could still wear it. Then this winter I put it on in November and it really was baggy and hung funny so I actually bought another shirt at the same store to go under that sweater a few weeks later. While it would be nice to think that I was getting smaller, that was unfortunately not the case.

I pulled it out of the closet yesterday to try again- I really love the color and style of this shirt-- and it was ENORMOUS! I mean, like a circus tent gigantic! Now I wear a big size but this is ridiculous-- it has stretched completely out sideways. The neckline is at the edge of my shoulders and the 3/4 sleeves go down past my wrists. It now barely comes to my waistband (it went down past my hips when I bought it) and you could literally fit 2 of me in it. I held it up to a different shirt I have that is very loose fitting and this one is at least 10 inches bigger than it in width now.

I have no idea what happened to this shirt. The really weird part is that it is 100% cotton. I thought you only had to worry about shrinking with all cotton. I have always washed it just like the directions say and it really has only been worn probably less than 10 times in the last 3 years. DH and I had a good laugh over it last night. It looks on me like if my 10 year old put on one of my (normal) plus sized shirts only very short.

Anyone else ever have something like this happen?


(and no, I am not going to contact the store/manufacturer or try to return it. I got a good laugh out of it, but would like to know what I did to cause it)

I had this happen once! When I threw it away it was all misshapen and hung funny. I don't recall what the material was. I got the impression the knit loosened. Like it was a tight weave when I bought it but it totally opened up and stretched out.

 

[snykymom]

Knits in particular have a tendency to stretch. They're made of the individual threads which aren't woven together for strength like other fabrics. You can see that with sweaters, as well. I won't buy 100% cotton knits for just that reason.

You may want to try washing it in warm or hot water to get it to shrink a bit.

 

[lovetoscrap]

You may want to try washing it in warm or hot water to get it to shrink a bit.

That is what my mom said to do. I think I would have to boil it for days to make any difference!