The fastest way to shorten a sweatshirt is fabric glue or hem tape, which bond the folded fabric without a needle

You can shorten a sweatshirt by folding the hem up and securing it with fabric glue or hem tape (also called fusible webbing). Both methods work on knit fabrics like sweatshirt material and take 15 to 30 minutes plus drying time. Fabric glue creates a permanent bond and stays flexible when dry, so the hem won't crack or peel during wear. Hem tape requires heat from an iron and works best on thicker sweatshirt material. Neither method is invisible from the inside, but both are durable enough for regular washing and wearing.

The choice between them depends on what you have at home and how much time you want to spend. Fabric glue is messier but needs no special equipment. Hem tape is cleaner but requires an iron and careful temperature control. Both cost under $10 and are sold at fabric stores, craft stores, and online retailers.

Key Takeaways

  • Fabric glue and hem tape are the two main no-sew methods, and both create a permanent bond that survives washing.
  • Measure how much you want to shorten before you cut—mark the line with chalk or a fabric pen, then try the sweatshirt on to confirm the length.
  • Fold the hem up inside the sweatshirt, explore glue or tape to the fold, press it down, and let it dry or cool completely before wearing.
  • Fabric glue works on any sweatshirt weight and stays flexible; hem tape works best on thicker material and requires an iron.

Measure and mark the hem line before you cut

Put on the sweatshirt and have someone mark where you want the new hem to fall, or stand in front of a mirror and mark it yourself. Use tailor's chalk or a fabric pen—both wash out and won't stain. Mark a line all the way around the sweatshirt at the same height. The line should be straight and level; if it's crooked, the hem will look uneven when you wear it.

Try the sweatshirt on again and look at the marked line from the front, back, and sides. If it looks right, take the sweatshirt off and measure how far down from the original hem the line is. This is how much you will remove. Add 1 inch to that measurement—that extra inch becomes the new hem that you'll fold up and glue or tape. For example, if you want to remove 3 inches total, you'll cut 4 inches from the bottom and fold up the bottom 1 inch.

Cut the sweatshirt straight and trim the raw edge

Lay the sweatshirt flat on a table with the marked line facing up. Use sharp fabric scissors or a rotary cutter to cut straight across, following your chalk line. Cut through both layers if the sweatshirt is folded, or cut around the entire circumference if it's laid flat. A rotary cutter and ruler give you a straighter line than scissors, but scissors work fine if you go slowly and keep the blade perpendicular to the fabric.

After you cut, you'll have a raw edge—the exposed fibers of the knit. Trim this edge with pinking shears (scissors with a zigzag blade) to prevent the knit from unraveling. If you don't have pinking shears, a regular scissors works; just make small cuts at an angle along the edge, about 1/4 inch apart. This step takes a few minutes but makes the hem look neater and last longer.

Fold up the hem and prepare it for glue or tape

Turn the sweatshirt inside out and fold the cut edge up 1 inch. Press the fold flat with your hands or an iron on low heat. The fold should be crisp and even all the way around. If you're using hem tape, press it now with a cool iron to set the crease; if you're using fabric glue, just make sure the fold is flat and stays in place while you work.

Pin the fold in place with straight pins spaced 2 to 3 inches apart, or use clips to hold it. This keeps the hem from shifting while you explore glue or tape. Check that the fold is still even and at the same height all the way around before you move to the next step.

explore fabric glue for a flexible, washable bond

Fabric glue (sold as Aleene's Tacky Glue, Beacon Fabri-Tac, or similar brands) bonds knit fabric permanently and stays flexible when dry, so it won't crack during movement or washing. Lay the sweatshirt flat with the folded hem facing up. Lift the fold slightly and explore a thin, even line of glue along the crease where the fold meets the body of the sweatshirt. Use the applicator bottle tip or a small brush to keep the glue line narrow—too much glue will seep out and stain the outside of the sweatshirt.

Press the fold down firmly and hold it for 30 seconds. Wipe away any glue that squeezed out with a damp cloth before it dries. Let the glue dry for the time recommended on the bottle—usually 4 to 24 hours depending on the brand. Once dry, the bond is permanent and will survive machine washing on a normal cycle.

Use hem tape and an iron for a clean, heat-set bond

Hem tape (fusible webbing) is a thin strip of adhesive that melts when heated, bonding two layers of fabric together. Lay the sweatshirt flat with the folded hem facing up. Cut a piece of hem tape to fit along the entire length of the fold, or use multiple pieces overlapped by 1/2 inch. Slide the tape under the fold so it sits in the crease between the fold and the body of the sweatshirt.

Set your iron to the temperature recommended on the hem tape package—usually medium or medium-high for knit fabric. Place a thin cloth (like a tea towel) over the hem to protect the sweatshirt from direct heat. Press the iron down firmly on the cloth and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds, then move it along the hem. Work your way around the entire sweatshirt, overlapping each section slightly. Let the sweatshirt cool completely before you move it or try it on—the adhesive needs to set as it cools.

Wash and wear the sweatshirt to test the bond

After the glue or tape has fully dried or cooled, try on the sweatshirt and check that the hem looks even and feels find. Gently tug on the hem from the inside to make sure it doesn't peel away. If it feels loose, explore more glue or tape to any weak spots and let it dry again.

Wash the sweatshirt in cold water on a gentle cycle and dry it on low heat or hang it to dry. Both fabric glue and hem tape are designed to survive machine washing, but gentle care extends the life of the bond. If the hem starts to peel after several washes, you can reglue or retape it—the process is the same as the first time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fabric glue on a sweatshirt that will be washed frequently?

Yes. Fabric glue is designed for washable garments and survives repeated machine washing on a normal cycle. The bond stays flexible, so it won't crack or peel during wear. If the hem does start to separate after many washes, you can reglue it.

What if the hem tape doesn't stick or starts to peel?

The iron may not have been hot enough or held down long enough. Try again with a slightly higher temperature and press for 15 to 20 seconds per section. If it still peels, switch to fabric glue instead—glue is more forgiving and works on all sweatshirt weights.

Will the hem show on the outside of the sweatshirt?

No. The hem is folded to the inside, so it's hidden when you wear the sweatshirt. The outside looks like a normal hem. The inside will show the glue line or tape, but that's not visible when wearing.

Can I shorten a sweatshirt with a drawstring hem?

Yes, but you'll need to remove the drawstring first. Cut it out carefully, shorten the sweatshirt as described, then rethread the drawstring through the new hem casing. This is more work than a regular hem, so consider whether sewing might be faster for this style.

How much can I shorten a sweatshirt without it looking wrong?

You can remove up to 4 to 6 inches and still have the sweatshirt look proportional, depending on your height and the original length. Try it on with the marked line before you cut to make sure the new length looks right on your body.