Sew What?

Ask a Sewing Professional

1. Can T-shirts be fitted?

   Many men ask this question.  Frequently cool t-shirts are too baggy or the sleeves sag and don't accentuate the biceps.  Cinching the sleeves cost only $12 and tapering is $15.  Sometimes they are just simply too long.  It's $12 to hem a t-shirt.  It's done with the same stretch stitch as the manufacturer so no one will know but you.  

2. What's the difference between a regular hem and an original hem for jeans?

   An original hem is when I detach the hem produced from the manufacturer and reattach it at the base to shorten the jeans, but keep design integrity.  I use this method for jeans with a detail that I cannot duplicate, like some True Religion jeans.  The only drawback is the seam where the 2 hems meet does wear.  On most jeans I prefer a regular hem.  It wears naturally (especially if done soon after purchase), and I have a large collection of jeans thread colors so the new hem is almost perfectly matched to the one from the designer.

3. Can my jeans be turned into "skinny" jeans?

   Absolutely.  I can taper the legs down to refresh your looser fitting jeans to a skinny jean.  Keep in mind that most skinny jeans have a stretch component to them so if this is done to jeans without, you may experience a little restriction in movement.  

4. Can you raise the crotch of my jeans?

   No problem.  If you have jeans with a saggy butt, it can be brought up to accentuate your posterior ($20).  The extra fabric comes out of the leg so a professional fitting is necessary.  Also we need to check that there is adequate length to the jeans because an adjustment to the crotch (called the "rise") will affect the leg length.

5. Can you do anything about jeans that are too big in the waist?

   Yes, as long as at least an inch needs to be taken out of the waist, this can be resolved.  The cost is $25.  I cannot, however, let out the waist of jeans; there is no fabric in which to do so.  

6. Can you alter a swimsuit?

   Unfortunately the answer is usually "no."  Swimwear is made in such a way that is actually easier to make a new suit than it is to fix an existing suit.  There are some exceptions, I would need to see the garment before making a definitive answer.