Had sleeves shortened on two blazers - button positioning?

[suitstudier]

I've just had the sleeves on two blazers shortened.

I assumed, when getting this done, that the job involved moving the buttons further up the sleeve.

Instead, they've left the buttons in place, so that now the buttons are right at the end of the sleeve.

Have they done this wrong? Every time I've researched this alteration I've found out that it's worthwhile, inexpensive, and that it involves moving the buttons. Has the tailor done it badly or is this to be expected?

 

[Quesjac]

I've just had the sleeves on two blazers shortened.

I assumed, when getting this done, that the job involved moving the buttons further up the sleeve.

Instead, they've left the buttons in place, so that now the buttons are right at the end of the sleeve.

Have they done this wrong? Every time I've researched this alteration I've found out that it's worthwhile, inexpensive, and that it involves moving the buttons. Has the tailor done it badly or is this to be expected?

Are the buttonholes functional? If so, they obviously can't be moved without an ugly job to close up the buttonholes.

I would expect a tailor to move them, but also to ask you exactly what you want, because there are a few options, from cheapest to best:
1. Leave the buttons as they are (your situation)
2. Move the last button only, making it into the first. Or just remove the button entirely, eg. go from 4 button cuff to 3.
3. Remove all the buttons, re-attach all of them in the right place.

I typically get #3, but if it's 0.5" or so and there's room to spare I personally don't mind #1.

 

[suitstudier]

Are the buttonholes functional? If so, they obviously can't be moved without an ugly job to close up the buttonholes.

I would expect a tailor to move them, but also to ask you exactly what you want, because there are a few options, from cheapest to best:
1. Leave the buttons as they are (your situation)
2. Move the last button only, making it into the first. Or just remove the button entirely, eg. go from 4 button cuff to 3.
3. Remove all the buttons, re-attach all of them in the right place.

I typically get #3, but if it's 0.5" or so and there's room to spare I personally don't mind #1.

Thanks. Yes they are blazers with non-functioning buttons.
How much do you pay for (3)?

Thanks

 

[Quesjac]

Thanks. Yes they are blazers with non-functioning buttons.
How much do you pay for (3)?

Thanks

I think it's a pretty trivial amount more, maybe £0.50 per button to unstitch the sham, move the button and put a new sham hole down, so call it +£4 for two sleeves of four buttons each. The only time consuming thing is unpicking the old sham, so this isn't an especially good deal.

 

[suitstudier]

I think it's a pretty trivial amount more, maybe £0.50 per button to unstitch the sham, move the button and put a new sham hole down, so call it +£4 for two sleeves of four buttons each. The only time consuming thing is unpicking the old sham, so this isn't an especially good deal.

OK that's good. So I could take them back and ask them to unpick one of the shams on each sleeve and move the button from the front to the back.

 

[Quesjac]

Yes. There might be some grumbling because they may need to open the sleeve up again (depending on how it's lined) but given the miscommunication I expect they will be fine with making the adjustment.

If you just move one button then the shams might be inconsistent --- different machines and different thread --- but this is the kind of thing you can decide if you care about one way or the other.

 

[bdavro23]

This can be complicated by the type of stitching used to create the sham holes. Sometimes its very difficult to remove, or to remove without leaving evidence of the shams. Without seeing pictures of the sleeves in question, its impossible to tell if this was a factor. Take it back and ask them about it. Give them a chance to explain their work.