Sleeve Alteration Device and Method of Use

Abstract

A device and method for easily adjusting the fit of a garment by pinching and holding excess material and creating a temporary seam that holds without damaging the garment material. The device is easily aligned and adjusted for length. It has snap-like closures that allow the device to lock into place through the fabric, either by piercing the fabric, or by pushing the fabric through without piercing or damaging it, thus creating an inside seam. The device is durable and secure enough to be machine-washable so that, once positioned, it may be left in place for washing or drying if desired. Alternatively, the device may be easily removed for washing or other reasons and easily reapplied and/or repositioned.

1 . A device for temporarily altering the fit of an article of clothing comprising:
 a body having a pair of opposing arms joined by a hinge portion,   each arm having an exterior and interior surface,   each interior surface having
 gripping means for holding clothing material between opposing interior surfaces when fastened and 
 fastening means for holding opposing interior surfaces together such that fabric may be pinched together forming a temporary seam. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  whereby the hinge portion is arcuate. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  whereby the opposing arms are curved. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  whereby the gripping means includes opposing raised rails aligned along a portion of the interior surfaces of the opposing arms immediately adjacent to the hinge portion. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  whereby the gripping means includes one or more protuberances and corresponding holes aligned along the interior surfaces of the opposing arms. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  whereby the fastening means includes one or more protuberances and corresponding through holes aligned along the interior surface of the opposing arms. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  whereby one or more interior grooves extend the width of the interior surface of each arm and one or more corresponding exterior grooves extend the width of the exterior surface of each arm such that the corresponding interior and exterior grooves of each arm are aligned when the device is in the closed position. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  whereby the ends of each opposing arm are rounded. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 6  whereby,
 each protuberance is comprised of a stem portion connected with a head portion, each stem portion having a smaller diameter where it connects with the head portion than the diameter of the head portion, and 
 each corresponding through hole has a diameter large enough to accommodate the head of the protuberance when fastened but small enough to prevent the head from moving back through the hole until the arms are pulled apart. 
 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9  whereby each corresponding through hole is V shaped such that the diameter of each through hole at the interior surface is less than the diameter at the exterior surface. 
     
     
         12 . The problem of easily and non-permanently altering the circumference of a t-shirt sleeve is solved by a clip device having at least two opposing arms which when aligned and fastened will pinch and hold a fold of fabric between the opposing arms to form a temporary seam. 
     
     
         13 . A method for easily and non-permanently altering the circumference of a t-shirt sleeve comprising the steps of:
 turning the t-shirt sleeve inside out;   attaching a clip device as shown to the bottom portion of the sleeve such that the fabric is pinched between the opposing sides and closed together to form a fold and new temporary seam; and   turning the t-shirt sleeve right side-out so that the fold is not visible.