Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Simple Alterations - Part II


So much positive feedback. And I can't stress the importance, and benefit, of simple alterations.


Can jacket sleeves be "opened" (made working)?
Yes. However, this is very tricky work, and only a very good tailor (one who works for a custom clothing shop, for example) will be willing and able to punch holes in a garment. Cost: approx $25-35 per sleeve


Can pleated pants be made flat-front?
Technically, yes, but this involves remaking the entire waistband of the pants, and re-engineering the fit. The results can vary, not to mention it is very expensive. Cost: just get some new pants, it will likely be less expensive and you can ensure the proper fit


Can a shirt be taken-in (made slimmer)?
Absolutely. I've had the body slimmed on dozens of shirts. It's a simple cut and sew. Also, the sleeves can be taken in as well. Cost: $15-30 body, $10-25 sleeves




Can shirt sleeves be made longer?
No. (unless you find some similar fabric to be added at the shoulder...which is ridiculous...so no)

Can shirt sleeves be made shorter?
Yes, by some seamstresses. The sleeve is removed, fabric is cut, and sleeve is re-attached. Cost: $20-35 per sleeve. 

Thanks for reading. 
More to come...

Yours in style,
SB

6 comments:

@macdonmt said...

This is some really great advice. Especially when a week and 30 bucks can make a $70 shirt fit better than a $300 shirt.

Thanks a keep up the great site.

Anonymous said...

Problem Fixed

Can jacket sleeves be "opened" (made working)?
No. This is very tricky work, and only a very bad tailor (one who is looking to make money and doesn't care about the product of his work) will be willing to punch holes in a garment. There is simply not enough overlap on most jackets to provide space for working buttonholes on the sleeve. A tailor would have to taper the end of your sleeves, and that, my friend, would look dumb.

SB said...

To: Anonymous

You haven't found the right tailor my friend. I've had this done a number of times, to jackets of varying quality. I've even had grosgrain ribbon inserted in the newly working sleeve placket.

Best,
SB

SB said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Mxolisi Ngonelo said...

Can shirt sleeves be made longer?
No. (unless you find some similar fabric to be added at the shoulder...which is ridiculous...so no)


Dan, this can definitely be done. I recently has two shirts have their sleevs elongated. This was done at the cuff and not the shoulder. All I did was but fabric that was the same as the shirt and then my tailor just added it there. There is a slight difference in colour however isn't a jacket suppose dto cover that little difference all the time. Also trends and styles change so mucgh nowadays that you find the crazist designs on shirts.

Thanks,
Mxolisi

Unknown said...

Hi
New & Lingwood (and some other manufacturers) make shirts with about an inch of fabric hidden at the shoulder seam to compensate for the shrinkage if there is a need. So, yes, for some shirts sleeve elongation can be done.