Is this the right page for a jacket alteration?

[PigletJohn]

I am quite portly and have lost 2 stone over the last year which is great.

I wore my best suit today and it is unsurprisingly too big around the central abdomen by a couple of inches.

I am retired and reluctant to keep buying new suits. I suppose I could have it altered, but in six months I hope I will be even thinner or I might have put it all on again

When I was wrapping the jacket round me go see how big it was, it struck me that if I moved the buttons out by a couple of inches it would look like a good fit.

Obviously this is an unprofessional bodge; but would it work?

I hope someone replies with some good advice soon. You are so helpful to others.

I don’t think you can get away with moving the buttons by a good couple of inches. Too much excess fabric for a smooth/good fit.

Look for a tailor attached to a dry cleaners for alterations? Some can be really good at this sort of thing by making practical recommendations as to what could be possible.

@PigletJohn I think @Idbetternamechange speaks sense.

What I would advise ( be aware I do not make my living by sewing but have altered some things for family with some success is )

1 - I would get some very very fine pins ( so you do not ruin the fabric ) pin the button holes to where you think you need the buttons to go - probably have to do this when you are wearing it or get someone to help . Then look and see if the jacket falls nicely or looks a bit kimono / dressing gown and has creases across the body where they should not be or too much fabric where the jacket overlaps . If it looks OK do it but you are then committed to the button placement because if you ever want to let it out again there will be evidence of where the buttons were then sewn . Also look at where the jacket falls at the hem where it newly overlaps.

2 - as @Idbetternamechange says - a lot of decent dry cleaners can do alterations not very expensively. If you think the jacket won't look bodged - move the buttons . If it needs taking in down the side seams - put it on inside out and pin where it needs taking in to keep the line but making it more in keeping with new figure , try it on right way out & if that looks better ( taking into account side seams are pinned not sewn but you see what I mean ) take it to someone who can do it ( & I second many dry cleaners have people who can make alterations for a relatively modest cost ) Obviously you will have to pay for them unpicking lining and altering that. ) But cheaper than a new suit.

3 - my personal view is that if you keep the front the same and take in the sides it will look better than just moving the buttons over. But only you will know once you make a really good effort at pinning it ( fine pins) where the new buttons would go or pinning down the sides and deciding between the two.

4 - Or work out how many times you need the suit in the next 6 months and see how it goes 😁

I wish you well - I can understand if you don't need a suit all the time and you have a perfectly good one - it makes sense to make it last.

Not sure if that has helped but my advice for what it is worth.

Well, one side of you would appear better covered than the other iyswim. I think this only works as a fix for up to say half an inch. But if you just want to stay warm until you've reached a target weight in six months why not buy a waistcoat that fits now and leave the jacket open. Ask a tailor though - they might have better ideas.

Maybe a cinch clip would work as a temporary solution, fixed to the back of your jacket to pull it in a few inches? EBay and Amazon have plain ("men's") ones available for a few pounds.

Hello PigletJohn and thanks for helping me and many others over the years.

Don't move the buttons. Get it altered by a tailor or seamstress, or someone who is an exceptional dressmaker.

Assuming that it lies properly across the shoulders and upper back, get the sides taken in, and later get the chest darts and sides taken in, if that what the tailor/seamstress recommends.

Well done on the weight loss.

Thanks, all.

Yes, I agree with a couple of pps - have it taken in on the side seams. Moving buttons by anything more than a tiny amount would look like a bodge.

Well done on the weight loss!

@PigletJohn , I've posted a link on a sewing thread, so there may be some experts able to help. I get my clothes altered and it's worth it.
The person who alters my clothes gave me the advice I posted. If it's done by someone who knows their stuff, it won't look like it has been altered and will fit.

One problem with the moving buttons method will be that the back of the jacket is still larger, so it will look very odd from behind if you're looking at something more than an inch - definitely test it by pinning in place, if it's a double breasted jacket a danger could be that it looks a bit 'wrap dress'

In an ideal world - have it taken in at the side seams. I've only ever done this with simpler, unlined garments though, a proper jacket will be much harder to do.

I had a too big fleece - what I did was put it on inside out, fasten it, and then use pins to test how much stuff I'd need to remove from the side seams (same on front and back of garment in my case) and armpit (you need to fiddle with the armpit area too!). Then you can sew down your new seam line.

The problem with a proper suit jacket versus my scruffy fleece are

• hems! You'd need to unpick the hem at the side seams so when you've created your new side seam, you can recreate that nice sharp hem.
• unpicking the lining to get access to the inside of the outside of the jacket
• Shoulder positioning - when you only take stuff out of the side seams below the arm, the shoulder might not sit in the correct place.

So I'd try the easy fixes (don't fasten the jacket, wear a nice waistcoat etc) and then when you hit your goal weight, look to buy a new suit.

Or haunt charity shops looking for a bargain that fits today.

Following the link - thank you for posting it.

OP for a couple of inches it’s a professional job I think. The lining would need to come out and they’ll need to work out where is the best place to take it in. Taking an even amount at the sides could result in the back being too tight.

The trouble with suits is that you have seams and pockets just where you don’t want them when you’re making alterations

I’d do as.a pp suggests and wear it open with a waistcoat for now

If you live in/near a moderately multicultural town city it is extremely likely that there are a few tailors who could help.

Where I live they tend to be next to shops selling suits or dry cleaners or laundrettes!

Please don't touch the buttons!

A tailor will make small changes to each of the seams.

PS thank-you for popping on and off Mumsnet for plumbing/DIY issues. I've read a lot of your helpful advice!

I had a jacket taken in professionally when I lost weight but the proportions are now out, the shoulders are too big now in comparison and I don't wear it.

I know a local alteration tailor but I've only ever had leg and arm lengths done before.

I have a feeling it will end up at the charity shop or on ebay.

Shame.