Do you do your own Alterations?

[freefinancialadvice]

If so, what alterations do you do?

Or have tried and failed?

Any advice for a noob looking to start doing his own alterations?

 

[rioni]

clothing is far too expensive for me to risk screwing it up.

 

[anon]

I would if I could, but I can't, so I don't.

 

[porcelain monkey]

I can barely sew on a button. I'll do it in a pinch, but I generally leave everything to the pros.

 

[jmacak]

Hi

I tried an alterations person a few times and was not happy with the experience. Hard to communicate my desires, incorrect alterations, and shoddy alterations. Not to mention cost.

I've since learned to hem, adjust waist, and taper legs on pants. I'm also able to adjust sleeves and waist on jackets. I also do normal repairs (buttons, zippers, etc).

Since most of my stuff is thrifted, this makes good sense to me, plus I get a sense of accomplishment from the results (and I don't have to wait for the job to get done.)

-j

 

[Dewey]

I also played thrift store Frankenstein to learn about some of the basic alterations. I was more curious than financially constrained. Letting out the waist was too much for me. I did three jacket sleeve-length alterations. All came out great but they took an average of about 5 hours each. On the pro side, I can sew a button real well and fast, and I will hand-hem casual trousers if no cuffs are involved.

I used a book called Altering Men's Ready-to-Wear or something like that.

The big positive I took away from the experience was a better appreciation and respect for alterations work. Some people who charge for such services should not be trusted to do some of the more complicated jobs. But pretty much anyone can hem your trousers.

 

[Shikar]

I will be happy to learn on your clothes...

Regards.

 

[TheFoo]

I tried shortening some ribbon belts before. It did not go well.

 

[Pseudosyco]

I regularly re-sew buttons, hem trousers and such. I once tried to shorten the arms of a jacket. I do not do that anymore...

 

[freefinancialadvice]

I've learned to hem pants pretty well. and i am quite proud of myself.

I do have a ton of sack looking thrift jackets that I would like to take in at the waist. And alter the sleeve length.

Altering the sleeves looks intimidating though.

 

[JayJay]

I replace buttons and hem cuffed pants.

 

[jmacak]

Originally Posted by rioni

clothing is far too expensive for me to risk screwing it up.

Hi

As long as you don't take scissors to the cloth, just about anything you do can be re-done and can be fixed (by the pros) if needed.

-j

 

[polar-lemon]

Originally Posted by JayJay

I replace buttons and hem cuffed pants.

What kind of stitch do you use for hemming cuffed pants? Is it really as easy as it looks on my other ones (make sure the stitch is hidden by the cuff)?

 

[Tarmac]

there are only 3 alterations I can do:

cutting stuff off with scissors
sewing on a button
removing pockets/labels with a seamripper

 

[bigbris1]

I can/have:

Shortened/lengthened sleeves on suit coats
Hemmed trousers
Slimmed trouser legs
Switched buttons on suits
Stitched elkhide on handlebars
Sewn holes on cashmere sweaters (undetectable)

The rest I don't have time for & becomes valuable to take to the tailor:

Waist suit coat
Take in/let out trouser waist