Easy Sewing Tutorial: Altering a boxy lab coat to fit better

An easy beginners sewing tutorial showing how to alter a boxy lab coat to fit better.We've recently st

We've recently started wearing lab coats at work to protect us and our clothing from becoming contaminated during the COVID-19 pandemic. I've never really worn one before, and when they arrived they ran quite large and were unisex, so basically fitted like a box (and made me look and feel like one too!). I decided to alter mine to fit a bit better and be a bit more flattering. This adjustment is super easy and definitely suitable for beginners.

You will need:

The lab coat you want to alter

Matching thread

A sewing machine and/or overlocker (serger)

Pins

1) Put the coat on inside out and closed the buttons. Feel all around the sides- how big is it? While you're still wearing it, fold it at the side seam and figure out how tight you want it to be at the hips, bust, underarm, and upper arm. Pin the front and back together at these places to get an idea of the size. Do this on both sides. Make sure you don't go too tight- remember that you will be wearing clothes underneath, possibly even bulky clothes if it's winter. Use a pin to mark where your natural waist is.

2) Take off the coat, leaving it inside out. Have a look at your pins and do a dot-to-dot to draw a smooth line between them on each side. This will be where you will sew to take in the coat. Where you've marked your waist, take the line in another 2cm to create a more tailored effect. Leave the pin marking your natural waist- you will use this later! Pin all along the line to keep it secure while you sew. Try the coat on inside out to check that it fits well and goes over your clothes.

3) Sew up the inside side seams using a sewing machine or overlocker. I used my overlocker on a normal 3 thread overlock stitch and it looks beautiful! If you don't have an overlocker, remember to trim and finish off your seams with a zig zag stitch or pinking shears.

4) Add back darts to enhance the fit. Remember when you marked the waist? Find that point again and draw a light line across the back of the waist (inside the coat). Then mark halfway between the centre seam and the side seam on that line on both sides. Mark 1.5cm on either side of that marking. Then mark 10 cm higher than your centre mark, and 10cm lower. Connect the top point to the centre, and left and right points, and do the same for the bottom point.

5) Fold the coat at the centre vertical line that you've just made and press it flat, with the right sides together. Sew up the diagonal lines with your sewing machine or serger (I used my sewing machine for this one as it gave me a bit more control- I'm still getting used to the power of the overlocker!). Repeat the whole process on the other side. Flip your coat over to the right way and press your darts flat from the outside. You can trim the extra fabric on the inside of the darts if you want to- I just left mine!

6) Iron your whole coat. I know, I know, we all hate ironing. But in this case it really made a world of difference to make the coat look neat and professional.

And that's it! This is how my coat turned out- I hope you are happy with yours too!