How difficult would it be to alter a fitted blouse?

[hugoagogo]

I am short and the waist seams of blouses always hit me on the hip.
I sew a bit, but not terribly confident, do you think it would be feasible to unpick the seams and put them back in the right place?

I have altered things over the years, but I'm not an expert, and not that in particular. I think it could be tricky but feasible. Why don't you have a practice run on an old top you're done with as it were? I wonder though if although feasible, as in the actual sewing, whether the overall look of the garment will change and not look/sit right. I expect someone with more experience will know. Other than that why not just buy petite?

Depends if you actually have enough seam allowance once you unpick the hem to allow you to play with the length.

Also, those type of tops the material makes a difference, as in if it's slippery/silky, it will be awkward I think.

They are uniform blouses, with no option for petite sadly.
I have been hiding them under jumpers.

Maybe I would be better just unpicking, without trying to put them back in?

Yes that's a idea then they would just hang over the hip? Depends what they look like. Presume when it's warmer you won't be able to cover it up. Not only that as they are expect they don't feel very nice.

There won't be enough seam allowance but you could take it up somewhere above the waist and below the bust - a seam all the way round. It will look odd though!

I don't know, sorry! But can I hijack please? I have my eye on a maxi dress from phase eight, but it's too long. Is it possible to have that kind of dress (floaty, man made fibres) professionally altered?

I'm confused about the people saying there won't be enough seam allowance? Can anyone explain a bit more...

I would talk to a more experienced seamstress (or get it done professionally). It might be easier to pull it up from the shoulders.

I haven't quite got my head round it yet! I don't think the other posters are talking about the length re. the seams, they probably mean if there's enough material further up for you to take it in. Depends how much you want to recreate the original shape. Either do what you said just unpick and let it hang, or attempt on an old one. Is there any leeway with work letting you have a different style, but same colour? If not as it's a big job as presume you got a few, perhaps get a professional to do, and bill the company 😬

I think the waist might still be too small is the point being made with the seam allowance? You’d be able to see on the inside how much fabric there is?

I’d get a bigger size and just take it in more at the waist I think.

I don’t sew much though!

Morris, I expect a professional will be able to do it. Some fabrics I expect can be awkward, but someone has made them in the first place, so don't see why not. But I suppose you need to know before you buy.

Meant enough seam further up to allow for the taking in. Doh, not woken up yet. Maybe biscuit has the right idea, get bigger size, if there's not enough to work with. How many have you got?

As the waist is smaller than the hips, they cut it narrower.

I have 5 and they are big otherwise they would look even worse. As it is they cling to my tum and balloon out round my chest. Not a good look.

I would first try unpicking one then, and see what it's like. With a bit of luck it will hang right and correct the top as well. Usually every town has a alteration place, sometimes they are in dry cleaners, if you need them all taken in again in the right place.

I get things taken up usually, it's about £5-10 a time but I appreciate you won't want to spend that on work clothes. Any chance you could reclaim it on expenses?

Unpick one. If you need the darts putting in, go to a dressmaker - ask around, someone probably knows a seamstress or a keen dressmaker.

Oh good point. If the waist has darts you may just be able to unpick those.

The issue is that the narrow waist of the blouse is hitting at your hips. So you need to widen the blouse to allow for your hips (and narrow it further up where your waist is). There may not be enough extra fabric in the seam allowance to widen the waist of the garment to fit your hips.

When it's inside out can you see the spare fabric in the dart/seam? Soort of folded over? if so letting it out will add extra width

If it looke like a seam with 2 separate pieces of material sewn together then you probably won't be able to add much width

Yes the darts are just folds of material and there are two at the front and two at the back, so I think I should gain something.

It isn't really the seams you want to unpick but the darts. Unpick, them and iron them out then try on and work out where best to reposition them. If the shirts balloon out round your chest then there should be enough fabric to take them in a bit. Might be best just taking in the side seams a bit higher up the shirt tapering off lower down where you don't want them tighter.

If it has darts you need to take them in equally with side seams and back darts. All must have the same amount of fabric taken in. If you just do side seams it will wrinkle.

Also if You take in too much material at the widest point of the darts it will also wrinkle.

Altering garments is about balance. You have to apply the same measurement throughout all the seams and darts. So if your item is 3cm too big you add 1/2 cm on front and back darts and side seams.

Photo would be helpful