Tuesday 31 January 2012

An Alteration

Does an alteration count as a refashion?  I'm always shortening the straps on my tank tops, but this time I "altered" a skirt.

There's something weird with my body shape because lots of times if clothing fits in the hips, it's too big in the waist.  And if the waist fits, then it pulls across the hip - or maybe it's my big tummy area!

I bought a skirt at Walmart. I know, I'm of two minds re: Walmart.  Do I buy into the low prices knowing that I'm contributing to the growing gap between rich and poor?  Just google what's wrong with Walmart to see what I mean. Or do I stick to my principles and avoid it like the plague? 

Well, this time I succumbed.  And found an already low-priced skirt which was marked down some more. I bought the smaller size, but it pulled and created an indented bowl effect in front.  It looked really weird.  I exchanged it for the next size up and then the waist was too big. 

So, I stitched it up by hand - basted I think it's called.  I used orange thread because I wasn't sure if it would look good and thought it might have to be undone, and didn't want to be squinting to pick out black thread.
alterations
You can just see the orange thread.

It looked okay, so I continued with black thread and here is the result:
altered
Hard to see, but the red outline is where it's taken in
I tried it on and it looks normal! I think this counts as my first real "alteration" and am going to wear it soon.

4 comments:

  1. I think you did a great job! I recently started sewing again and am now wondering why I ever stopped in the first place. I just purchased 'Reconstructing Clothes for Dummies' - found it in Goodwill - looks like it will be a good resource. I'm a new follower :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jane, Wow - they have a Dummies book for everything - that's what I need ... Thanks for following!

      Delete
  2. Yeah for figuring out what it needed! Like you, I feel conflicted about shopping Walmart, but where I live it is the ONLY place short of a 20 minute drive to find many of the things we need.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that helps - if it's the only place nearby you don't really have a choice

      Delete