Where can I learn alteration? (male, look, professional, full)

[keraT]

As a petite (5'2'') overweight female, I have very difficult time finding clothes with ideal fit. I tried alteration but it is expensive. I have basic sewing skill, like very basic. I tried taking sewing course at Joann few years ago, we had to make PJ, I did not enjoy sewing. I was not good at it, one leg was longer than the other. so I have no interest in sewing something completely new. But I would love to learn to adjust off the shelf items. hem here, trim there. I saw several youtube video but I am too scared to try on my own.


does Joann offer alteration? I find sewing class but almost everything focuses on creating something. I don't want that

[Pitt Chick]

My local community college occasionally offers tailoring classes.
Maybe yours does!

[keraT]

Thanks for the input. I will try the website and I found few videos on youtube as well. I know my community college has sewing class along with Joann & other such place but those are full blown sewing where one learning to make a new article. I don't want to go thru all that.


basically when I shop my own closet, I find many items that I can wear with simple alteration. I hate throwing those items out because they have more life left but I never get around to making that adjustment

[Hedgehog_Mom]

If you're going to throw the items out anyhow, why not practice alterations on them?

You can shorten hems on slacks and skirts by hand. Jeans will need a sewing machine. It can be difficult to get the hem on a skirt even.

[arrieros81]

Alterations and pattern-fitting were one of the reasons I gave up sewing.

[QuilterChick]

Originally Posted by keraT

Thanks for the input. I will try the website and I found few videos on youtube as well. I know my community college has sewing class along with Joann & other such place but those are full blown sewing where one learning to make a new article. I don't want to go thru all that.


basically when I shop my own closet, I find many items that I can wear with simple alteration. I hate throwing those items out because they have more life left but I never get around to making that adjustment

You may want to look into getting some videos from "Sewing With Nancy"; or take some lessons from an expert seamstress in your local area. Best of luck .. don't give up .. it's not difficult. You do need a good sewing machine and a good serger.

[Cecilia_Rose]

Originally Posted by keraT

As a petite (5'2'') overweight female, I have very difficult time finding clothes with ideal fit. I tried alteration but it is expensive. I have basic sewing skill, like very basic. I tried taking sewing course at Joann few years ago, we had to make PJ, I did not enjoy sewing. I was not good at it, one leg was longer than the other. so I have no interest in sewing something completely new. But I would love to learn to adjust off the shelf items. hem here, trim there. I saw several youtube video but I am too scared to try on my own.


does Joann offer alteration? I find sewing class but almost everything focuses on creating something. I don't want that

Tall [5'10"] female, I have a very difficult time finding clothes that fit too. I agree alterations are expensive.
I can sew okay but I'm an amateur and Id rather have a professional job. Plus if I wait for me it will take forever.

What I do is consider the total cost of the garment today. If something in my closet is a candidate for Goodwill and I cant wear it then it has zero value. Its today cost would be the cost of the alterations needed to make it wearable.

Also I have an idea of what different alterations cost and I factor that in on new things if needed. For example I just purchased a long mans plaid wool bath robe at Good Will for $5. I figure its going to cost $30-$40 to shorten it and bring the shoulders in and add some vintage buttons. So for $45 I have a unique jacket that fits me perfect.
.

If you want to do your own alterations you might want to consider getting a dress form. Makes it easier to fit stuff and do hems and things. One of the reasons the tailor does a better job than us is cause they can pin it on us.

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q...+form&tbm=shop

[weezycom]

Use the videos to learn from, but don't "practice" on your clothes. Buy really really cheap thrift store/yard sale items and practice on them, so it doesn't matter if you screw it up.

And team up with a friend for pinning hems for one another.

[hertfordshire]

Originally Posted by keraT

Thanks for the input. I will try the website and I found few videos on youtube as well. I know my community college has sewing class along with Joann & other such place but those are full blown sewing where one learning to make a new article. I don't want to go thru all that.

But learning to make clothes, you're learning the fundamentals of sewing and making clothes fit. It's the same skills, really.

The biggest problem you'll have with doing your own alterations is doing the pinning. It's not exactly something you can do on yourself.

[QuilterChick]

Originally Posted by keraT

Thanks for the input. I will try the website and I found few videos on youtube as well. I know my community college has sewing class along with Joann & other such place but those are full blown sewing where one learning to make a new article. I don't want to go thru all that.


basically when I shop my own closet, I find many items that I can wear with simple alteration. I hate throwing those items out because they have more life left but I never get around to making that adjustment

Kera, you should consider buying a good dress form and adjusting the measurements to suit your own. Instructions on setting it up for your figure come with the form. Also, many good dry cleaners have a tailor or seamstress working there for repairs and refitting; he/she may be willing to teach you the basics for your own figure (for a fee of course).