Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with sewing and alterations

I need clothing alteration skills.

nataliedanger — Thu, 15 May 2008 05:53:51 -0800

Where can I learn the necessary skills to do clothing alterations professionally? I am a fairly skilled sewer and I'm smart enough to figure out how to do basic stuff (changing hems, replacing zippers, etc.); all I need is someone or something to show me how to do the more complicated alterations. I think I could enjoy that line of work. However, try as I might, I can't seem to find a resource to teach me these things (and I already checked the local university and technical college).

Recommend a Tailor in Seattle

matildaben — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 10:25:04 -0800

Can anyone recommend a tailor in Seattle or the Eastside? I need alterations done on several pieces of women's clothing, somewhat more complicated than just doing hems, so I would like a real tailor, not a dry cleaning shop that does alterations. I've already Googled, but would much prefer a referral to someone whose services you have actually used.

he's not getting fatter, so the pants must be smaller

Attackpanda — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 10:47:27 -0800

Sewingfilter: how do I take in pants? I made my boyfriends sleep pants from this pattern He told me he was a medium in pants and I made them for the medium pattern. Well I had him try them on before I sewed the elastic in the waist band and they are much too big, even with a drawstring. I realized I should have made them S instead of M. How do I take the pants in? What stitches do I need to undo, or do I just sew this sides up smaller and cut the excess off? I'm a beginner at this so I'm really not sure.

When you can take the bobbin from my hand, it will be time for you to sew.

Vervain — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 14:48:26 -0800

I want to improve my sewing kung-fu. But where to start? I've owned my mother's old Husqvarna Viking for years, and while I have a basic enough grasp of how it functions, I have yet to really do anything significant with it--mending, minor alterations, simple projects like curtains and pillow shams, and one improvised Mona Lisa costume that turned out middling-to-awful. This was all well and good, but...

Flash forward to two weeks ago, where I found myself digging through a not-small-mall's plus-sized offerings, which were uniformly crap. (I was looking for a dress to wear to an upcoming wedding.) It might've been a lack of sleep or an overdose of Project Runway, but after the nth rack of tacky polyester garbage, something snapped. I'm now bound and determined to learn to sew, and the incomplete set of Time-Life sewing books I somehow inherited along with Mom's machine just aren't going to cut it. (Sorry.)

Much as I would like to go from zero to couture in a week, I know I have to start somewhere. My question(s) for you: what books do you recommend for beginning/intermediate/advanced sewing skills, especially those relating to pattern alteration or design? What, if anything, do you feel you need to learn in a classroom setting? Were there any projects that you found especially helpful for the acquisition and honing of skills? And what additions (e.g. specialty feet, duct tape double) to the basic sewing setup did you find most helpful?

Do you love your L.A. tailor?

zharptitsa — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 13:55:43 -0800

Can anyone recommend a skilled, reasonably-priced tailor in Los Angeles (preferably on the westside)? Mostly I'm looking for someone who can do some significant suit alterations and occasionally make an outfit from scratch if I provide the material and pattern. I really like the seamstress at my dry cleaners and am happy to have her hem skirts and pants when needed, but I'm looking for someone to do some more advanced work. Any ideas? Thanks!

How can I find a good tailor besides trial and error?

SpecialK — Tue, 20 Jul 2004 15:57:29 -0800

ClothingFilter: I need to find a tailor to make some alterations to an expensive sportcoat. The retailer I bought it from only does alterations to new items, and their tailor works for them... I've always had good experiences with that tailor, but the other things I've gotten done (through the place that dry cleans my clothes) really sucked. How can I find a good tailor besides trial and error? Also, does anyone know what the standard turnaround for getting some shirts laundered is? I just started having to wear all this professional stuff regularly, and while I know how to dress and how to select clothes, I'm finding I'm really clueless on the maintenance part. The cleaner in my neighbourhood wants 3 days to wash, starch, and press shirts...

Any other dry cleaning tips would be appreciated. I already know little things like not to leave the plastic tabs in your shirt collar when you send them out to get them cleaned... but like I said, other than that, I'm clueless.