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Secondary education

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Original poster

Altering a blazer?

8 replies

Everhopeful · 22/06/2013 11:00

Slightly banal request, but am Shock at cost of blazer for DD's new secondary (£65 cos I managed to forget about the secondhand stall till I'd been hanging about chatting to other parents for a bit and only the ratty one that no one would put on a dog was left at £15 when I got there Blush) and want to try to make it last at least KS3!

DD measures up at 27", so I figured to buy 32", but reckon this means I need to take it in a bit across the shoulders- the rest is easy. Anyone technically minded to tell me how I do that without cutting or letting it show? Or am I doomed? I can't bring myself to buy less than 30", but can't figure out how roomy a fit these are.

OP posts:
TinaSurrey · 22/06/2013 11:35

Why not buy one the right size now but keep a very sharp eye on second hand stock going forward to snap up the sizes you need for future.

webwiz · 22/06/2013 12:52

I just bought one that was a bit big and shortened the sleeves (just folded them up inside and sewed round them so they could be let down later). They soon grew into them but the blazers are more like £35 rather than £65 Shock

monikar · 22/06/2013 16:24

I bought a blazer that was the next size up and just shortened the sleeves in the same way as webwiz.

Most children in year 7 have big blazers and you will be surprised how quickly they grow into them.

Also, is your DD going to wear a jumper under it? This tends to fill it up a bit too!

monikar · 22/06/2013 16:27

If you really wanted to take it in on the shoulders then you would have to unpick the lining at the bottom and then sew a new seam all around the armhole, so increasing the seam allowance, but not cutting it, and then re-sew the lining seam at the bottom.

Original poster
Everhopeful · 22/06/2013 17:30

Aha monikar - I knew it would be worth asking here! I count myself is pretty handy with a needle, but I just couldn't fathom it this time...

DD grows really fast anyway, so I'm in two minds whether to go for 30" (there isn't a smaller one on offer on the uniform website, though her new best buddy (nice kid, bit of a shrimp) nabbed one secondhand that was extra small, so I guess they have them) and just keep an eye out or do like you suggest. I hate having to buy now really, but it's the only way to be sure of having it when she starts. I just don't want to have to buy every year at that price, that's all. Not that I can complain about the quality, which is fab - heavy wool. They'll cook in the summer, but that's a different story.

Thanks for everyone's comments, very helpful!

OP posts:
uselessinformation · 22/06/2013 21:49

Wow, £65 for wool - my son's was £110 ! Smells like wet dog when it is rained on !

Ericaequites · 23/06/2013 03:01

Buy the 30" blazer. Your daughter will grow into it. Shorten the sleeves, and it will work. I was about your daughter's size in seventh grade, and the blazer stiLl fit me as a senior, six years later. Mine was around $ 75 in 1982. I was not the only seventh grader wearing an oversized blazer. Your daughter will not be the only one in her form, either:-)

sashh · 23/06/2013 11:58

Put a couple of shoulder pads in and fold the sleeves up.

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