Altering old clothes

Liz3yy

Hi all,

I have gone through my wardrobe and dragged out several items that are now too big for me since I lost weight this year. The clothes are good condition but I don't have the inclination to eBay them since I've not had much luck there with selling, I also think they are too good to just give away to charity.

Is it worth me trying to alter them so they're either smaller or making them into something else? I have 3 pairs of jeans, and several t-shirts which are now just gathering dust.

Has anyone tried altering clothes that are too big before? any ideas / suggestions?

Thanks all

Popperwell

I have seen it done Liz and for anyone that is really good at doing clothes making often easy.

I can do very simple alterations but I did end up going to a business on the town. The last job was a pair of trousers that needed the waist reducing but for what was a really quick easy job(for them)not me, it cost approx £7!

I'm sure many will be along soon with tips and ideas...

gibson123

Yes I alter and upcycle clothes all the time, you need a good seam ripper http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/singer-seam-ripper/ID=prod17104-product, good scissors, measuring tape and moderate hand or machine sewing skills.

There are lots of tutorials on-line especially if you are on pinterest.

Here's a tutorial for jeans.
http://www.luxeboulevard.com/2012/03/how-to-take-in-jeans.html

Now t-shirts are even more fun because not only can you take them in, but you can use the cut off material to upcycle.

http://diaryofamadcrafter.wordpress.com/2012/07/12/t-shirt-remodel-a-tutorial/

You can even do a no sew version

http://diaryofamadcrafter.wordpress.com/2012/07/12/t-shirt-remodel-a-tutorial/

A few more ideas

http://tearosehome.blogspot.co.uk/2010/07/for-shirt-for-ways-dark-green.html

here's a good one for a halloween party

http://wobisobi.blogspot.in/2011/10/project-re-style-39-skull-cut-out-tee.html

A bit more sewing experience is needed to do shirring but I love this one

http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/2012/01/side-gathered-shirt-tutorial-mens-shirt.html

And another idea.

http://www.happytogethercreates.com/2009/07/long-sleeve-shirt-refashion-and.html

Good luck, you will find lots of other ideas using google

maman

Liz3yy wrote: »

Hi all,

I have gone through my wardrobe and dragged out several items that are now too big for me since I lost weight this year. The clothes are good condition but I don't have the inclination to eBay them since I've not had much luck there with selling, I also think they are too good to just give away to charity.

Is it worth me trying to alter them so they're either smaller or making them into something else? I have 3 pairs of jeans, and several t-shirts which are now just gathering dust.

Has anyone tried altering clothes that are too big before? any ideas / suggestions?

Thanks all

I'd say that if the clothes that are too big are very expensive then I wouldn't bother with other than the simplest alterations. Anything that requires, for example, removing a waistband I would never attampt.

Cheaper stuff I'd take to the CS, expensive things (unless you've got good skills yourself) I'd have done professionally. Then I'd want to be sure that the cost of alterations was worth it. Am I going to wear the outfit often enough to jusify the cost?

valk_scot

I can sew and dressmake but tbh I'd never bother with altering either jeans or t-shirts, it's really difficult to make the new seams as neat and tidy as the old ones without a really good strong machine for denim and an overlocker for t-shirts and it looks rubbishy to have a mismatch. It would be different if it was something like a fitted wool skirt or jacket, a properly done alteration would just blend in.

Making the jeans and t-shirts into something else is different though, you don't have to worry about making the seams match. They're just raw materials for your new project.

gibson123

valk_scot wrote: »

I can sew and dressmake but tbh I'd never bother with altering either jeans or t-shirts, it's really difficult to make the new seams as neat and tidy as the old ones without a really good strong machine for denim and an overlocker for t-shirts and it looks rubbishy to have a mismatch. It would be different if it was something like a fitted wool skirt or jacket, a properly done alteration would just blend in.

Making the jeans and t-shirts into something else is different though, you don't have to worry about making the seams match. They're just raw materials for your new project.

valk scot i am always adjusting jeans waistbands, I always feel like there is that bit that gapes out when you bend. my daughter also loves skinny jeans but they are never skinny enough so that is another popular one.

valk_scot

gibson123 wrote: »

valk scot i am always adjusting jeans waistbands, I always feel like there is that bit that gapes out when you bend. my daughter also loves skinny jeans but they are never skinny enough so that is another popular one.

Waistbands are easy, agreed. I used to do it for my jeans when i was younger and had a small waist compared to my hip measurement. But taking in a pair of jeans all over at hip and thigh as well is really hard, especially if you have to start moving pockets as well.

Liz3yy

Thank you all for your replies and suggestions. None of the items were particularly expensive, at most the jeans cost £20 so I'm happy to butcher them so to speak and see what I can make from them.

I think it's time to dug out my sewing box and have some fun

D&DD

Gibson thanks for those links some lovely ideas on there

Liz I don't know if you have animals but I find old jeans really useful made into mats for the cats to sleep on as its the only thing their fur doesn't weld to so badly

I cut up the legs into approx 4 inch squares and literally just sew them together into a larger square.
I have an industrial machine so usually quilt and back them but a layer of fabric to just cover in the back should be fine.
If you are using a domestic sewing machine use a denim needle and go slow HTH have fun

Liz3yy

Hi, we don't have pets but the in-laws do nice idea that, thanks