Replies

1. 
   Maripat | Jun 17, 2010 10:55pm | #1

   The crotch is a "fooler" when

   The crotch is a "fooler" when it comes to altering. What is the problem you are trying to correct?

1. 
   Maripat | Jun 19, 2010 02:19pm | #2

   Altering the crotch in overalls

   Hi stitchesnseams,

   I started to reply to your message and my computer hiccupped, so now I am replying here, instead. 

   When the crotch is too big (hanging down too low on the legs) you can usually get the results you want only if you take the pants up in the waist. i know it is confusing, but I'll try to explain.

   Imagine (or draw) a "U", representing the side view of the crotch (zipper is the left half, center back is the right half). If you take in that seam, you are actually deepening the seam and making the crotch hang lower. Your seam now looks like this "U". Does that make sense? Try doing it on a scrap or an old pair of pants.

   The only way to get the results you want would be to take the pants up in the waist (think roll the waistband down on itself and hike the pants up) . In your case, since they are coveralls, I guess that means take up the shoulders. The problem then becomes whether or not you have enough room in the armhole and the neck area. And if there's a sleeve, you have to taper the shoulder seam out as you approach the sleeve, or remove the sleeve and reset it. Oh Boy.

   Try pinning a couple of inches up on the shoulder and see if he thinks that makes everything else fall into place. Then explain everything I just told you, but don't expect him to get it. hehehe  My gosh, it turns my brain upside down sometimes.

   You haven't said, but if they are suspender type, you can just shorten the suspender adjustment and you're done.

   Make sure you get paid enough to work on that stuff. If we're talking Carhartt, that fabric is a nightmare to work on. I replaced a zipper once and talk about it here: http://whatimaltering-blog.learning-alterations.com/2009/10/ok-as-for-rest-of-carhartt-jacket.html

   Good luck. Keep us posted. Truthfully, I'm kinda glad it's you and not me! Ooops, sorry about that! :)