Sweater Reshaping

[cmrocks]

My favorite sweater, a cashmere cable knit, is starting to really lose it's shape. The neck hole has stretched out and is now quite wide. The sleeves have gotten a bit long and the body of the sweater is kind of sagging a bit. I've owned this sweater for three years now and I wear it all the time. It has only ever been washed by hand in cold water.

Is there anything I can do to have some shape brought back into the sweater? Are there people who do this sort of thing professionally?

 

[I. Gentantithesis]

*Risk Warning* Wash in cold water, lay on clean bath towel, cover with another clean bath towel, roll up and gently squeeze, repeat with two more bath towels. Turn inside-out. Place in low heat clothes dryer for only 15 minutes, check. Repeat 'til size is appropriate, or improved. Remove sweater even if still damp. Allow to complete drying away from heat. Have competent individual sew inside of ribbing at neck, cuffs and waist with elastic thread - you're limited to black or white. Not guaranteed. Not responsible.

 

[Tomasso]

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[Spinnda]

Same happening to me, I had to bin the sweater in the end.
I kept wearing it for a few weeks, but I looked terrible.

 

[cmrocks]

Thanks.

Are there places that block sweaters professionally? I'd rather spend a few bucks and have it actually turn out. It's my favorite sweater by far but it's starting to look pretty bad.

 

[chorse123]

High-end dry cleaners will block sweaters. I'm sure Vancouver has one of those "when money is no object" type of places. Maybe any run-of-the-mill place will too, I don't know. I've only had it done once or twice.

 

[withstyle]

Q- how reliable/routine is this service for a higher-end dry cleaner? would you trust it with a "higher-end" sweater? I have a Cucinelli that is a bit looser around the waist than I would like. It's probably fine as-is, but if I could get it slimmed down a bit without any risk I probably would.

 

[incastoutcast]

^ In that case, (if it's not a problem of sagging) why not just have it tailored? Taking in the sides would work better for slimming down the sweater to you without the risk of damage to the material.

I have a black cashmere turtleneck I'm planning on having taken in around the waist as soon as it stops being 70 degrees in November here in California.

Peter

 

[John_Edward]

I've got several sweaters that could use the sides taken in a bit as I've trimmed up.

What's the general cost to have the sides brought in? I've got a few $70 sweaters I'd like to be trimmer round the waist, but not sure if it makes more sense to buy new ones and not fuss with these.

 

[incastoutcast]

Probably about $25-$30, I'd say. It's the same operation as taking in the sides of a shirt. The upside would be you wouldn't have to spend time trying to find new sweaters....