| If you are a frugal person, you probably buy | | | | also be more fabric to gather,if the skirt has a big |
| clothing on sale, either retail, at garage sales or at | | | | flare. |
| thrift stores. The selection is more limited when | | | | So can see difficulty of of gathering fabric that |
| you buy clothing on sale. Many times an items is | | | | has been flared when you look at the hems on |
| perfect, except that it needs a minor alteration. | | | | flared skirts. Skirts with a wide flare are often |
| If you want to save money on clothing, you need | | | | hemmed with just a 1/4 inch seam allowance. |
| to be able to do minor alterations. You can take | | | | The more narrow the hem, the easier it is to turn |
| clothing to a tailor, but that is going to add to the | | | | it under. With a 1/4 inch hem you don't have to |
| cost of the item. The purpose of this article is to | | | | baste and gather the fabric. |
| point out a few subtle differences in clothing that | | | | On the other hand, a straight pencil skirt may |
| will make for either an easy alteration, or one that | | | | have a hem as long as 3 inches. |
| is more challenging. | | | | If you need to make a skirt longer, and there is |
| PANTS, SKIRTS AND SLEEVES | | | | not enough fabric, let out the hem, and then use |
| Taking up hems is the most common alteration | | | | a piece of bias tape. Sew it to the edge of the |
| that is easily done. The hem may need to go up, | | | | fabric, and then turn turn the tape up and sew it |
| or down. WHAT IS IMPORTANT as far as the | | | | down. Except for the fabric in the seam, you will |
| the difficult of the alteration is how the garment is | | | | use every bit in the fabric in the skirt. |
| cut. | | | | You can also just turn up 1/4 inch and sew it |
| Straight pants, skirts and sleeves are very easy | | | | down. |
| to alter. You don't even need to remove the | | | | If there is a crease from the old hemline, use a |
| existing hem, unless there is going to be a | | | | mixture of half vinegar and half water. Wet the |
| problem with bulk. | | | | crease, and the press. |
| However, it there is a big flare in the leg, skirt or | | | | SLEEVES |
| arm, it is going to be more difficult. If you want | | | | It can be difficult to work on small pieces of |
| to shorten the hem, and the design is tapered, | | | | clothing on a sewing machine. If will be easier to |
| there will not be enough fabric to turn under. If | | | | just hand sew the new hem. |
| you want to lengthen the hem and the item is | | | | If a long sleeve cuffed sleeve is too long, you |
| flared, there will be too much fabric. | | | | may be able to solve the problem by just moving |
| This makes alterations more difficult, and is | | | | the button so that the sleeve is tighter on the |
| something to keep in mind when buying used | | | | wrist. |
| clothing. | | | | If you need to shorten the sleeve, you will have |
| Here is some help for these specific items | | | | to first take off the cuff, cut off the excess |
| PANTS | | | | sleeve length, and then reattach the cuff. |
| The most common alteration is the length of the | | | | NO SEW TECHNIQUES |
| legs. The first thing you have to decide is whether | | | | If you seriously do not like to sew, you can use |
| you can just turn up the hem and sew again, or if | | | | fusing tape. It comes on a roll, and is just like glue. |
| the pants will be too bulky. | | | | You put it between the two pieces of fabric, iron |
| If you determine the extra fabric is going to be a | | | | so that it melts, and the glue holds the pieces of |
| problem, then you must cut the legs | | | | fabric together. |
| approximately 1 1/2 inches longer than where you | | | | Let me repeat that one- it holds them together. |
| want them to end. | | | | It is very strong, and if you do it, you will not be |
| Then you need to finish the raw edge with a | | | | able to change it again. Even if you pull the two |
| serger, a zig-zag stitch, straight stitch, or by just | | | | edges of fabric apart, the glue makes a mess. |
| turning a scant 1/4 inch seam up and sewing it | | | | Personally, I have found many uses for fusing |
| down. | | | | tape. It is fast, and it is durable. I have used it for |
| If the legs are straight, you can just turn them up | | | | doll clothing and household items. I have no |
| 1 1/2 inch, and sew again, by hand or machine. | | | | problem with it other than you lose the flexibility |
| However, if the legs flare, you are going to have | | | | of changing the hem again, unless you cut off the |
| to run a basting stitch along the hem and gather | | | | fused section. |
| up and try and evenly distribute the excess fabric. | | | | I know people that hem jeans with duct tape. |
| The gathering of the fabric causes bulk, so with | | | | That I've never tried, but if you are seriously |
| legs that flare, you will have to cut them first. | | | | sewing challenged, I don't believe that is as |
| It your pants are too wide at the waist, you can | | | | permanent. |
| rip out the back seam, including the waistband, | | | | So these are some things to think about before |
| take in the seam, and then stitch the seam again. | | | | you buy clothing that may not fit properly. If you |
| Always baste before you sew to make sure you | | | | are unsure of the fit, be prepared to do what is |
| are getting the right fit. | | | | necessary to alter the garment, or you will be |
| SKIRTS | | | | wasting your money and had best pass on it. |
| Skirts are just like pant legs, but wider. There will | | | | |