I have a customer who loathes zippers in her robes. So, she asked me if I could take the zipper out and put in buttons. No problem, I answered. However, before I started, I wanted to make sure that she understood that she was going to lose some of the width in the front. Putting in buttonholes…
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Shortening a Zipper From the Top
In all my years of altering clothes, I had never thought of altering a zipper from the top to make a garment fit better. Usually, when a dress doesn’t zip all the way up, there are three things I might do. First, I try to let out the side seams at the bust area. If…
Read MoreFlip the Shirt Collar to Extend Its Use
My husband had a job for many years where he had to wear dress shirts to work. Invariably, the collars would be the first thing on the shirts to wear out. It’s hard to see in this photo, below, but the collar is beyond help. It is worn out. Because my husband has his favorite…
Read MorePutting Bustles On Your Wedding Gown
UPDATE 2/25/23: Read this post all the way to the end and then go back and read Making French Bustles, Even Easier Than Before for a shortcut on one of the steps. You’ll be glad you did! You’ll see why this dress ended up with a bustle in the location that it was and how…
Read MoreHow to Hem Lining on Pants (or Skirts)
We’ve covered so many ways to hem pants so far. If you’ve missed those, click on “Alterations” right here, or above, and it will lead you to all the posts I’ve written on hemming. But, for now, lets look at how to hem lining on pants or skirts. It’s very simple. Don’t be intimidated. First,…
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Magnetic Pin Holders
It took me years to realize how great magnetic pin cushions are. I had used the old stuffed “tomato” pin cushion during my youthful sewing years. Remember these? I still use one for my needles as you can see. That way, I can see the eye of each needle at a glance and grab the one I…
Read MoreHem With a Vent (or Slit)…Technique #2
The last post was on how to hem a pair of pants with a vent or slit in the side. This post will give you instructions on how to do a vent another way. This technique can be used with skirts that have vents on the side or center back seam. Here’s what this pair…
Read MoreHemming Pants With a Vent (or Slit) in Them
Once in awhile, you’ll buy a pair of pants that have a vent (or notch) in the hem like these: The vent is a slit that is located on the side seam of the pants at the hem. You may want to hem those pants up, but you don’t know how to replicate that vent. It…
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Putting Darts in a Tank Top or Dress
Do you have a tank top or sleeveless dress that doesn’t fit well on top? Is there extra fabric hanging loose between the shoulder and armpit? Alot of loose fitting tops and dresses are made without alot of tight fit to them in that area. And they just feel baggy that way, don’t they? A…
Read MoreTailor Tacks…Instead of Pins
Have you heard of a tailor tack? If you’re 50 years old or older, you probably have. If you’re a young whipper snapper or you’re new to sewing in the last 25 years, you may not have any idea what I’m talking about. So, let me first tell you what one is and what it…
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The Sewing Garden 