How To Enlarge A Cotton Hoodie | EHow

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Stretching a Hoodie: 3 Easy Methods By Neil Gladstone Updated Mar 5, 2024 eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here. You need to stretch, heat, and moisten your cotton hoodie to enlargen them. Image Credit: Svetl/iStock/GettyImages

Enlarging a cotton sweatshirt or hoodie requires a combination of moisture, heat, and stretching. Conditioner helps soften the fabric to allow it to stretch more.

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If a hot dryer has shrunk your hoodie down a size or two, this process of stretching a hoodie can help return it to its original size and shape. It also works well if you're outgrowing the piece or if you just want a baggier fit. This easy-to-follow tutorial will guide you through the process of making a hoodie bigger.

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How to Stretch a Hoodie With Conditioner, Water, and Towels

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Things You'll Need

• Hair conditioner

• Clean bath towels

• Water

1. Submerge the Hoodie in Water and Conditioner

Fill your sink about two-thirds full with lukewarm water and add 1/4 cup of hair conditioner. Submerge the hoodie into the water, making sure the garment is completely soaked. Knead the material to ensure the conditioner soaks into the fibers. Let it sit in the water for about 20 minutes.

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2. Drain the Water and Rinse Out the Conditioner

Drain the water from the sink, and then fill it with cool water to rinse out the conditioner. Push the water through the material and let soak for another five minutes. Drain the water and wring out as much liquid as possible from the fabric.

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3. Stretch and Dry the Hoodie

Lay the hoodie on one or more bath towels, depending on the size. Hold the hoodie close to the neck and work your hands down one side seam, stretching as you go. Repeat this process on the other side. If necessary, stretch it again to achieve the desired length. When done, lay out the garment to air dry.

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How to Stretch a Hoodie by Washing, Drying, and Ironing It

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Most hoodies will stretch about three inches with this method.

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Things You'll Need

• Washer

• Dryer

• Iron

• Ironing board

1. Wash and Slightly Dry the Hoodie

Wash the hoodie in the washer and then place it in the dryer on medium heat for about 20 minutes. The fabric should still be damp when you remove it.

2. Iron and Gently Stretch the Hoodie

Heat your iron to the "cotton" setting. Place the hoodie on the ironing board and iron it, starting at the top and stretching as you go. Be mindful not to stretch the armholes of the hoodie or the resulting fit will be awkward. When you're near the bottom of the garment, stretch as much as you want or as far as the material will allow, and then iron it.

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3. Weigh Down and Air Dry the Hoodie

Before letting it air dry, put a weight such as a dumbbell underneath each of the arm holes. Stretch out the sweatshirt, and put another couple of weights at the bottom of the garment. When dry, the material should have stretched.

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How to Stretch a Hoodie With a Mannequin and Water

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Things You'll Need

• Mannequin

• Warm water

1. Choose the Right-Sized Mannequin

Find a mannequin with a head (to fit the hood) and size it to the desired width of the hoodie.

2. Soak and Dry the Hoodie

Soak the hoodie in warm water and wring it dry, leaving the material a little damp.

3. Fit the Damp Hoodie on the Mannequin

Slide the hoodie over the mannequin, making sure the hood is fitted to the form's "head."

4. Air Dry the Hoodie

Allow the hoodie to air dry. Check the garment after 24 hours or so. If necessary, stretch it again.

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eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.

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