Altering clothes to fit? Does anyone else do this?

[Dowser]

I'm not a tailoress but I know my way around a basic sewing machine.

A few months ago I bought a lovely dress in my size. Got it home and it was tight on the boobs.

Course I did my usual trick of forgettingntontake it back and my boobs never lost any weight despite 3 months of serious dieting so I decided to have a go at making it bigger myself.

It is in a jersey fabric with a fair bit of black in it. It was going to be impossible to match the fabric so I bought some wide stretch lace. Took a deep breath and cut down the back bodice . Overlaid the lace, . Opened up the waist, let that out about. Stitched it all back together.

It was scary but I was pleased with the results and when asked no one knew it hadn't come like that.
Would love to hear your stories. See if they give me creative inspiration on what's lurking in my wardrobe.

Need to add, like picking your battles, I pick my victims.i only look for things that are doable with the minimum amount of fuss.

If I get a bit more skilled, who knows!

Dust bunny my new singer sewing machine. £90 at Tescos is a godsend.

I had an ancient new home. It did the job....eventually. This one is lighter and so much easier.

Had a good chortle those awful curtains. I thought I'd remembered what Devore was and googled it. Yes I was right. Well done you . That stuff pulls in all directions and frays something terrible. Bit like chiffon I imagine.

I've always altered trouser lengths. I used to let down my daughters summer dresses and put some nice braid on the old hem line ( not rick rack) . Then I got two years out of her summer dresses.

I always hand stitch trouser hems. If I want a certain look I hand stitch bunting, but if I want loads I do it on a machine.

When we were 14 my friend was excellent at sewing and went on to have a good career at a fashion store. My dress was way too long for the swinging sixties as I felt a frump, mum wouldn't take it up so I got my friend to do it surreptitiously of course. It was a satin lining with a chiffon top dress. She made an excellent job of it and I was so envious.

I was Gobsmacked though when she said she made shirts and trousers for her older brother! No way ! I can't imagine anything more boring!

I just made a dress and a top from a pair of curtains. Does that count as alterations?

Dust bunny my new singer sewing machine. £90 at Tescos is a godsend.

See, I have a decent amount of John Lewis vouchers but all the sensibly priced machines (some of them are £1k+!!) have mixed reviews and lots of the people replacing older, sturdier machines are disappointed with the build quality - there's a lot to be said for the no-nonsense, sturdy old machines. I don't want to spend more than about £120 on a new one. Can anyone recommend one of the cheaper machines on John Lewis' website?

I got a new machine a few years ago, it's a Brother Innovis 10a and OMG I LOVE IT. Brilliant quality and well-designed, works well (no probs so far), easy to use, looks nice. So I'd recommend Brother.

this one is quite reasonable and looks basic but useful.

Mine is a bit more similar to this with the little screen, but you don't need that (and it's just another part that can go wrong really).

Love doing alterations! My daughter needs tons as she buys a lot and needs shortening and darts galore to fit her petite,curvy shape. I find making things larger a challenge- greatly helped by lace and other inserts e.g. open up the sleeve and side hem and insert lace down the whole to widen the fit. Or lengthen a skirt with your choice of fabric either at the bottom or 3/4 of the way down.

I'm very envious of all your talents
My alteration skills are shortening sleeves, letting down hems on trousers and taking in at waist (hour glass with long legs short torso and short arms)
I also alter things for DD who is curvy but petite, not easy when shopping in teen type shops
I have tried more radical alterations but only on car boot, eBay or charity shop purchases
Would love to buy a new sewing machine and have the confidence to use it, years ago I could cut out and make from a pattern but so out of practice and hand sew most things now

When I get home I have a Laura ashley linen spotted tea dress that is mid calf and felt a frump in last time i wore it so I'm shortening that next.

That's just boring bread and butter stuff though.

Looking for a challenge now. Might go and buy a size 8 charity shop dress tomorrow and see if I can upsize it to a 14! Lol

I'm kidding of course, but I might not be so quick to discard a size 18 with a pretty material.

Maybe we need to add pics to this thread!

Oh was quite upset when I told him what I was planning to do with some stuff I my wardrobe. Remake it, alter it etc. he likes me to chuck things out.

That's great coming from a guy who bought another pair of shoes today.

You should have seen his face when I called him Imelda!

I managed to get a suit in a sale really cheaply because all they had left was a size 10 jacket and an 18 skirt, the skirt was straight so I just took the sides in. Luckily the zip was at the back, I have looked out for a similar such bargain since but never been lucky enough to do it twice.

This is a great blog for inspiration about revamping clothes.

Laura the textiles and home ec teachers have taught me some of the most useful things I ever learned in school. I can crochet, knit, sew, cook and bake and enjoy all of these because I was taught by skillful and patient teachers.

Dowser my sewing machine died recently after 20 years of service and I bought a cheap Husqvarna off Amazon. It is incredibly good. Wish I had more time to sew...

That's lovely to hear frugal. Now if you could just go and tell the government!! Lol