Does anyone make their own alterations?
After getting a handful of shirts shortened by a tailor, I realized it might be more cost effective to finally purchase a sewing machine and learn how to do it myself.
Really only interested in basic alterations at this point (hemming shirt lengths, pants, maybe bringing in the waist on a few pairs of pants?). Does anyone have experience with this? What resources do you use? What other supplies should I expect to have to purchase besides a sewing machine?
9 Replies
Yep! Sewing machine and some hand sewing materials as well. Plenty of tutorials all over the internet. My only advice would be to practice on a few test pieces first before working on something important.
Just started a couple weeks ago! It’s harder than it seems but very fulfilling
I've been learning to sew for a couple of years. It's really fun but charli is right, it's harder than it looks. It's definitely worth it tho. If you do want to jump in I would make sure I have an ironing board/mat and iron too - pressing is 50 percent of sewing lol
I would start by sewing some stuff from scratch btw, nothing high stakes, just to get the hang of the machine.
Tons of tutorials on youtube. Main thing is measure twice (or more) cut once. Its not very easy as said, it looks easier than it is.
As with anything like this when you go to a tailor you are paying for the convivence of not spending your time doing the work (its never a quick process, even for simple hems), their ability (sewing a perfectly straight hem is difficult), and their insurance (if they ruin your garment they will reimburse you). This isn't to talk you out of it but I think its worth considering before you jump in and buy a machine and everything.
I do it to save money (debatable given I bought my machine) and cause I have a machine but I honestly hate sewing lol. Being able to do a quick turnaround hem for an outfit is a plus though. That said I'm sure if I sewed regularly and got better at it I would mind it less.
I was going through one of those 'ugh this isn't worth it' phases recently where I was unhappy with my ability to make stuff I'd actually wear and I'm getting out of it by actually starting to hand baste and hand finish stuff 😔 it's so depressing that patient handstitching makes such a difference lol
thanks fellas. any machine recs? i’ve heard mixed things about the singers, and my mom (a lifetime sewer/knitter) recommends the brother gx-37 as a solid starter machine ($100-125)
I just got a singer heavy duty (the $200 one on Amazon and it’s good for me)
definitely trust your mum! https://www.kenssewingcenter.com/brother-cs6000i-sewing-machine-remanufactured.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=productfeed&utm_content=link&utm_campaign=product&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmICoBhDxARIsABXkXlJxb5AKkNdxKlemtPusmom2IPN_6KgIRQLmiztmpLqD7Q2mhJM6BF8aAjwJEALw_wcB some ppl really like the brother cs series too
Also, if you have a sewing machine repair shop near you, I would recommend dropping in and asking if they're selling any used machines. They will often have really top quality vintage machines that will last forever and depending on where you live they could be really cheap
I will replace buttons. My partner will sometimes do simple repairs for me, as well