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From: TurtleGirl
Date: 03-21-2006, 03:53 PM (1 of 4)
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Hi! I just discovered your forum and I need help! I don’t sew but I need some alterations done and I need advice on how to explain my needs to a seamstress. I’m a fairly tall (5’ 8”) thin (125 lbs) woman with somewhat broad shoulders, a small bust (34B), a well-defined waist, larger hips (40 inches), and long arms. When I find fitted button-front dress shirts that fit me in the shoulders and arms, the rest of the shirt is far too loose and I end up looking shapeless. I certainly don’t want a skin-tight shirt but I would like a more refined, figure-defining look. (Something along the lines of a classic 1950s silhouette.) I have a friend who sews and she said that there is too much extra fabric in my shirts to simply resolve the problem with darts. Recently, I found several nice, reasonably priced, no-iron button-front shirts with a bit of stretch in them. Is it possible for an experienced seamstress to alter them on the sides for a better fit without ruining the shirt? Are there technical terms I should use to describe the needed alterations to the seamstress? How much should I expect to be charged for something like this? I will be very grateful for any advice you can give me. Thank you so much! |
User: TurtleGirl
Member since: 03-21-2006 Total posts: 2 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 03-21-2006, 05:14 PM (2 of 4)
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If the sewist you go to is experienced she (or he) will be able to understand your needs from seeing you in the shirt much better than we probably can without seeing you. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 03-21-2006, 06:55 PM (3 of 4)
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You don't need any technical terms. What you have explained is perfectly fine, and then, as stated by Dorothy, you'll try it on and she will pin it here and there to mark for her own purposes what she will need to do to get the fit you're going for. Cost--Try visiting 2, and see if they compare. It is so specific to your area, there's no way I could say. Some dry cleaners have a price list for alterations. You could check for that. Your specific alteration may not show up on the list, since it's a custom job, but the price list should give you an idea.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: TurtleGirl
Date: 03-22-2006, 08:56 AM (4 of 4)
Thanks so much for the advice! At least now I know the alterations are possible! Have a great day! 
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User: TurtleGirl
Member since: 03-21-2006 Total posts: 2 |
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