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Altering Ready to Wear Help

Diane_U | Posted in Fitting on

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Would someone suggest a book or article on up to date techniques for altering ready to wear clothing. I have intermediate sewing skills ( not a novice but not a couture either )
Thanks.

Replies

  1. Bill_Stewart | | #1

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    Diane, go to http://www.amazon.com and hit the books tab at top of page. enter "altering ready to wear" and go. 6 titles by 3 authors come up. before buying you might want to use your library's inter-library loan to get a copy to check out. hope this helps. Bill

    1. Paula_White | | #2

      *Diane, I have a favorite book. It is "Altering Women's Ready-to-wear" by Mary A. Roehr. Contact the auther at; 500 Sattlerock Circle, Sedona, AZ 86336 Phone; 520-282-4971.The book costs about $20. And it is good. I wrote to Mary about a problem once and she called me back on the phone long distance to explain the answer.

      1. jill_double | | #3

        *tips please on shortening of pleated skirtpleats to start at waist bandthis is alteration to a ready to wear skirt

        1. Joyce_Murphy | | #4

          *jill,Contrary to popular opinion I have successfully shortened dozens of pleated skirts from the hemline. The trick is in resetting the pleats once the garment has been cut off and rehemmed. To do this, I run a loose basting thread through the bottom of each pleat taking one vertical stitch in the pleat itself then carrying the thread over to the next pleat to take a vertical stitch in the next pleat and so on until all pleats are held in place. Once the basting is in, the skirt is much easier to press. Just support the weight of the skirt on a table next to the ironing board and lay the skirt down flat facing you rather than opening it up and putting it over the end of the ironing board as you usually would. You have 2 layers, front on top of back. Now straighten out the pleats and gently lift up the top layer to iron the bottom layer. Once that's ironed, lay the top back down and iron over both layers together. Turn the skirt a third of the way around and do the same thing again twice more so that all the pleats get pressed flat. Usually I would then leave the basting thread in the skirt until my client was ready to pick it up as it kept the hem in place while hanging on the rack. Good luck.Joyce Murphy

          1. jill_double | | #5

            *Thanks for your very useful tips on shortening pleated skirt.I have now sucessfully managed several styles with your help.Many thanks once again.

          2. Becki | | #6

            *i have been having a problem with a dress to which is for a brides maid i cant seem to get the hem to look right it just wants to i call buckle up or look tack i am at my wits end any one with a good idea please reply. thank you beckie

          3. Marguerite_Tincher | | #7

            *Mary Roeher has a book out for fitting ready to wear. It is the only book I have come across for fitting ready to wear. I have been doing alterations on ready to wear for years, so if you have any questions I would be glad to help you out.

          4. Wendy_James | | #8

            *I have to alter a top by doing the following:Take up on shoulders 7cm(total)Narrow shoulder by 1.5cm at shoulder seam and taper down front of bodice 12cmNarrow sleeves at cuff 6cmAny advice on where to start? Should all the easeby put back into the sleeve cap? This makes the capgathered not eased. Can you take all 7cm from the sleeve seam?

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