any altering tips for blue jeans???

[sewhappyrtr]

Hello gang... having lost some weight recently through diet and exercise, my clothes are looking pretty loose on me. . I have not tried to take in any pants, I have just been wearing them loose., any hints on altering clothes for weight loss???
also how about tops,,, mostly knit.. some blouses... right now sweaters.. but I don't know about altering sweaters?

need to buy some new clothes... right now money is tight though... guess I will look at the Goodwill here and see what they might have..

[sewingrandma]

I went thru this a couple of years ago. I tried to alter my jeans but it was just too much work. I did alter my slacks taking in the back and side seams since the zipper was in the front. Most of my slacks didn't have pockets so I didn't have to worry about making the openings too small. On those that had pockets I made the biggest seam along the back seam and kept the side seams to 1/4 inch. On my knit shirts I took in the sides from the underarms down tapering equally on both sides, and the sleeves I did from the armhole to the hem. I didn't do many blouses but I did those basically the same as the knits except I did take out the hems to resew after I did the alterations and cuffs if the sleeve needed changing. On any of these alterations I didn't take in more than 1 1/2 inches on any one seam. They all seem to hang OK. For jeans I went to the thrift store and found many in excellent condition that fit for under $5 each. I don't wear many sweaters so I've not attempted those.

[MartySews2]

Karen, in my alterations books, it says not to attempt to alter clothes if one has to go down more than 2 sizes as it is not worth it. One of my church members asked me to cut down some slacks for her that were size 18 & she needs a size 8. They are a royal pain!!! Since I don't own any jeans, I cannot advise you on that. I would just invest in new clothes (2 or 3 pieces at a time) & forget it.
Marty

[bridesmom]

I've done knit tops same as sewing grandma, in fact if you have a serger it's real easy, just make sure you don't do it too small!! Course then you just have to lose more weight . I have also done a few sweaters, and those I have done just on my sewing machine, with a longer stitch, same as for the knits. If it turns out you have to do too large of a seam, you can always zigzag it then cut it. Press them carefully, with a light touch, seams only! I've done work scrub pants, course these are ones I've made originally, so I take out the elastic on the waist, sew the side seams, then redo the waist. Jeans, no way. I did try once and ended up tossing them. I think your idea of hitting the thrift shops would be good, in fact, take in your larger things that don't fit, that way you can't grow back into them! I did that, and it's worked for over a year for me. Good for you on your weight loss and getting more exercise! You deserve to get a few new things, even if it is a paycheque at a time. How's the work situation, talking about paycheques?

[sewingmom]

I have a few simple ways to alter clothes down a small amount.
Thread elastic through the waist bands if pants and skirts. My favorite method is to just slit the inside of the waistband in the mid right front and mid left front and same in the back band and thread the elastic through. stitch through the band in a matching color at the beginning and end of each elastic. makes a pretty nice fit if the garment isn't a lot too big. I sometime do the same sort of elastic insert but start from just to rt and lt of the zipper and thread one piece of elastic through the band. For blouses I take in the side seams some and/or add waist darts some. Sometime the buttons can be moved over a small amount.

[lendube]

I'd say if the jeans need to come in more than a couple of inches at the waist forget about it. If less, one thing you can do is cinch it with elastic sewn into the back. Or just put a couple of darts at the waistband. If the legs are waaaaaaaaay to wide cut them off into longer shorts and call them coulottes (sp?) Wide legs are fashionable once again. Another option is to make a skirt out of the jeans. I've done that for others and it turned out great. But generally speaking I don't think messing with jeans too much is worth it. It's tough on you and your machine.

[sewhappyrtr]

t How's the work situation, talking about paycheques?

No jobs yet in this area for x-ray techs, or phlebotomy for me.. I have my friends looking and asking for me though. Told my DH for Christmas that we just need to go to Goodwill and he can buy my some new clothes (new to me anyhow!! ) for Christmas!!
It works for me, I have bought many things from them over the years.

[sewingmom]

Karen, Keep your name in at the Hospital X-ray departments. Doctors offices often ask us if we know anyone that is looking for a job in X-ray. I hope you find something soon.

[SmilieFace]

Hello gang... having lost some weight recently through diet and exercise, my clothes are looking pretty loose on me.

Congrats on the weight loss!

[Sewing Lady]

Jeans are a pain, but if you buy the denim needles it really helps with breakage. I remove the belt loop and then unravel the top stitching. Undo the stitches in the crotch. Use your sewing machine to stitch the seam line, then serge the edges. Top stitch the back seam and close the crotch. Cut the waist band to fit, resew onto the jeans and reapply the belt loop to cover the seam. It takes me about 1/2 hour. Good luck. I don't try to do the flat felled seam anymore. When these are done in the factory they are done on a special machine that makes it look real easy.