Altering sleeves and straps
I think the question most people would ask is why I would put sleeves into a perfectly good top or dress. There are a number of reasons. The first would be sun cancer prevention. If you have a skin that needs to be out of the sun, this is a great option. The second option would be because as you get older your arms don’t look as flattering as they used to. And the [...]
Occasionally I will have a customer who wants me to make shoe string straps for a top, gown or dress. The biggest challenge you will have is finding the fabric to match the garment. Always cut shoe string straps on the bias. I cut my strips 1” (2 cm approx.) wide. I fold in half and sew ¼” (.5 cm) from the edge. Don’t cut away the excess, just turn inside out. If you want [...]
When you have to take sleeves out of a garment, whether it is a jacket, shirt, top or dress, it is important to make sure you line up the center top of the sleeve with the center top at the shoulder. Before you do this however, I would suggest you sew two rows of loose stitching around the arm hole, so that it can be eased back in. The sleeve cap should be slightly gathered [...]
Making new shoe string straps can be challenging, so there is a quick and easy way. Buy yourself some Rats-tail Binding. It is basically a very thin shoestring strap all ready made for you. Then all you need to do is attach it onto the garment. I have only seen it in a color black, but I am sure you can get it in other colors. It costs around A$4.00 a meter. If you can't [...]
Don't you hate it when you are sitting down to a beautiful dinner, and your shoulder straps keep falling off...... If you are wearing a bra, then you can attach your straps to your bra by using "shoulder stays". In Australia they cost around $6.00 and you hand stitch them to the inside of the shoulder strap. This would not work for spagetti straps, but it will for all other straps. If you can't buy any [...]