Altering shirts
Find out what the new length needs to be by pinning the excess fabric around the elbow area. I do this because I want the cuff to rest in the right position on the wrist. Remember to always allow for flounce. That means when the person raises their arm the cuff does not ride up the wrist too much. Before doing this clothing alteration, always make sure that the person's upper arm width is less [...]
Shorten shirt length can be quick using this technique. You could have the shirt length shortened in 30 minutes and out the door for that evening out. Shorten shirt with tails There is a very quick way to mark and cut the hem. Most shirts have tails. Mark the one front side panel curving up at the sides - I prefer to have a chalk mark that is about 1 cm (1/2 in) [...]
Narrow shoulders large bust There are two options. The first is the quick way which you have probably done before and that is to fold the shoulder over and put a pleat in it which would give you a pleat at the front and back. You could do two or three and make it a feature. I prefer to turn the garment inside out and stitch the fold on the under side, then come around [...]
Sweat shirts downsizing Taking sweat shirts downsizing from a large to a medium or small is usually a lot of work. However, a lot of the work can be cut down by cutting around existing seams. The sweat shirt on the right however, has a sleeve all the way to the collar. So in this instance taking in under the arm would be the best option. But if the sweat shirt has a [...]
Make buttonholes is practice, practice, practice. If you are a master of button holes you will understand what I am saying, but for those of you who are scared of the dreaded button hole please read on. Most modern sewing machines have an automatic button hole, but the old machines don’t. The trick with button holes is practice, practice, practice. No other words for it. A couple of tips though. Keep the zig zag open, [...]