Comments on: Budget Busters: Alterations http://betweenmypeers.com/2009/01/12/budget-busters-alterations/ from the bottom of the fashion food chain, a conversation about what to wear. Thu, 17 May 2012 08:04:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: Janel http://betweenmypeers.com/2009/01/12/budget-busters-alterations/#comment-58803 Janel Thu, 15 Jan 2009 23:14:00 +0000 http://betweenmypeers.com/2009/01/12/budget-busters-alterations/#comment-58803 It does take a LOT of persistance to find fabrics you love at prices you want to pay. Or should I say, at prices that make it cost effective to sew for yourself. I keep a running list of my wants and needs then when I find a good price, I stock up. For example, I found denim on clearance last spring for $1.50 a yard. I think it regularly runs $6-$12 per yard. I bought almost 20 yards in different colors. I'm still using from that stash. I do that for linen and nice cottons as well. It does take a LOT of persistance to find fabrics you love at prices you want to pay. Or should I say, at prices that make it cost effective to sew for yourself.

I keep a running list of my wants and needs then when I find a good price, I stock up. For example, I found denim on clearance last spring for $1.50 a yard. I think it regularly runs $6-$12 per yard. I bought almost 20 yards in different colors. I’m still using from that stash. I do that for linen and nice cottons as well.

]]> By: Christine http://betweenmypeers.com/2009/01/12/budget-busters-alterations/#comment-58764 Christine Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:49:31 +0000 http://betweenmypeers.com/2009/01/12/budget-busters-alterations/#comment-58764 The only alterations I do are ones I do myself. I've really been concentrating on my sewing in recent months, and it's been really paying off. I have new shirts that fit just right made from sheets that were sitting in the cupboard not being used. I took in the waist on my pants until I could afford new pants. Darn loosing weight & being broke when I reached my goal weight! It would have to be something pretty major before I either 1) purchased something that needed an alteration I couldn't do myself or 2) paid someone do do an alteration for me. Just call me cheap. LOL! The only alterations I do are ones I do myself. I’ve really been concentrating on my sewing in recent months, and it’s been really paying off. I have new shirts that fit just right made from sheets that were sitting in the cupboard not being used. I took in the waist on my pants until I could afford new pants. Darn loosing weight & being broke when I reached my goal weight!

It would have to be something pretty major before I either 1) purchased something that needed an alteration I couldn’t do myself or 2) paid someone do do an alteration for me. Just call me cheap. LOL!

]]> By: Beth http://betweenmypeers.com/2009/01/12/budget-busters-alterations/#comment-58624 Beth Thu, 15 Jan 2009 02:27:48 +0000 http://betweenmypeers.com/2009/01/12/budget-busters-alterations/#comment-58624 I have had a few formal dresses tailored, but that's it. They did/do fit so beautifully afterward, but I just can't factor in the cost for other items. That said, I have been thinking for years about having two of my second-hand skirts shortened, as they would be more flattering it they hit at/just below the knee. Again, I just can't see paying... I would rather have a new skirt in the right length. I am about ready to biff those two anyway, as I've had them so long I am growing weary of them. I have had a few formal dresses tailored, but that’s it. They did/do fit so beautifully afterward, but I just can’t factor in the cost for other items. That said, I have been thinking for years about having two of my second-hand skirts shortened, as they would be more flattering it they hit at/just below the knee. Again, I just can’t see paying… I would rather have a new skirt in the right length. I am about ready to biff those two anyway, as I’ve had them so long I am growing weary of them.

]]> By: The Space Between My Peers » Budget Busters: Dry Cleaning http://betweenmypeers.com/2009/01/12/budget-busters-alterations/#comment-58576 The Space Between My Peers » Budget Busters: Dry Cleaning Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:46:26 +0000 http://betweenmypeers.com/2009/01/12/budget-busters-alterations/#comment-58576 [...] cleaning isn’t really a budget buster - but, like alterations, if you forget to plan for it, it could [...] […] cleaning isn’t really a budget buster - but, like alterations, if you forget to plan for it, it could […]

]]> By: Rebecca http://betweenmypeers.com/2009/01/12/budget-busters-alterations/#comment-58570 Rebecca Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:26:27 +0000 http://betweenmypeers.com/2009/01/12/budget-busters-alterations/#comment-58570 It was just the jacket. But I will consider having the trousers re-lined, since you brought it up :), as they fit really well and are just the kind of thing I prefer to wear in the winter. It was just the jacket. But I will consider having the trousers re-lined, since you brought it up :), as they fit really well and are just the kind of thing I prefer to wear in the winter.

]]> By: Joy http://betweenmypeers.com/2009/01/12/budget-busters-alterations/#comment-58512 Joy Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:52:23 +0000 http://betweenmypeers.com/2009/01/12/budget-busters-alterations/#comment-58512 I purchased a pair of very nice wool trousers last year for $2 at the thrift store. I think they'd been altered for someone with my proportions, because nothing from that designer has ever fit me off the rack. They fit beautifully, but the lining of one leg was ripped. It cost $45 to have the lining replaced, but I still consider it a bargain. The tailor had to take the trousers apart, build a pair of pants to go inside (full lining), and put it back together. Even if I could have managed the work, it would have taken me days. $45 for a couple hours of the tailor's time was worth it. For $47, I have a pair of classic trousers which I'll be wearing for years. I'd have spent $100-150 for new, plus alterations to get the length and backside correct. Did you have the trousers altered too, or just the jacket? If it was both, You definitely had the bad alteration experience, and the shop should set things right. I purchased a pair of very nice wool trousers last year for $2 at the thrift store. I think they’d been altered for someone with my proportions, because nothing from that designer has ever fit me off the rack. They fit beautifully, but the lining of one leg was ripped. It cost $45 to have the lining replaced, but I still consider it a bargain. The tailor had to take the trousers apart, build a pair of pants to go inside (full lining), and put it back together. Even if I could have managed the work, it would have taken me days. $45 for a couple hours of the tailor’s time was worth it. For $47, I have a pair of classic trousers which I’ll be wearing for years. I’d have spent $100-150 for new, plus alterations to get the length and backside correct.

Did you have the trousers altered too, or just the jacket? If it was both, You definitely had the bad alteration experience, and the shop should set things right.

]]> By: Ellem http://betweenmypeers.com/2009/01/12/budget-busters-alterations/#comment-58464 Ellem Wed, 14 Jan 2009 07:00:15 +0000 http://betweenmypeers.com/2009/01/12/budget-busters-alterations/#comment-58464 Love the comments and stories! I do ALL my own alterations now, I did pay for a few jackets years ago but they are out of date now (not fashion-wise, just decided they weren't my style anymore) . . . but it was in Korea so it was super inexpensive! It's quite easy to alter things yourself, it just takes time and patience . . . right now it's all by hand but when we return to the US I have my eye on a nice new sewing machine! I've done quite a few things by hand though, and no one can tell, which is how I judge the quality of the handiwork . . . ^^ Love the comments and stories! I do ALL my own alterations now, I did pay for a few jackets years ago but they are out of date now (not fashion-wise, just decided they weren’t my style anymore) . . . but it was in Korea so it was super inexpensive! It’s quite easy to alter things yourself, it just takes time and patience . . . right now it’s all by hand but when we return to the US I have my eye on a nice new sewing machine! I’ve done quite a few things by hand though, and no one can tell, which is how I judge the quality of the handiwork . . . ^^

]]> By: carrie http://betweenmypeers.com/2009/01/12/budget-busters-alterations/#comment-58450 carrie Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:26:24 +0000 http://betweenmypeers.com/2009/01/12/budget-busters-alterations/#comment-58450 I am spoiled because both my mother and my aunt (who is also my next door neighbor) are wonderful seamstresses. So I don't have to take into account additional alteration costs when purchasing clothing. However, I have often thought that I should start making an attempt to learn to do it myself, as I might not always be so blessed as to live this close to someone who can do it for me. I would have a heart attack to pay that much for someone to sew something for me. However, it would be worth it if you absolutely loved a piece, and it was a quality piece of work. I am spoiled because both my mother and my aunt (who is also my next door neighbor) are wonderful seamstresses. So I don’t have to take into account additional alteration costs when purchasing clothing.

However, I have often thought that I should start making an attempt to learn to do it myself, as I might not always be so blessed as to live this close to someone who can do it for me. I would have a heart attack to pay that much for someone to sew something for me. However, it would be worth it if you absolutely loved a piece, and it was a quality piece of work.

]]> By: Rebecca http://betweenmypeers.com/2009/01/12/budget-busters-alterations/#comment-58343 Rebecca Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:08:32 +0000 http://betweenmypeers.com/2009/01/12/budget-busters-alterations/#comment-58343 Well, I was prepared to spend whatever, because it was an experiment, but for me I think it makes more sense to go ready-made. Depending on a person's budget and fit issues, it might make sense for another to spend the $$ for the alterations. Regarding making stuff from scratch, my problem is that I don't like the fabrics available in the stores, or maybe I just haven't developed the perseverance for that kind of shopping. It's such a chore to find natural fibres! And the prices are high. I'm thinking for dresses, though, it might be worth the effort. Well, I was prepared to spend whatever, because it was an experiment, but for me I think it makes more sense to go ready-made. Depending on a person’s budget and fit issues, it might make sense for another to spend the $$ for the alterations.

Regarding making stuff from scratch, my problem is that I don’t like the fabrics available in the stores, or maybe I just haven’t developed the perseverance for that kind of shopping. It’s such a chore to find natural fibres! And the prices are high. I’m thinking for dresses, though, it might be worth the effort.

]]> By: Janel http://betweenmypeers.com/2009/01/12/budget-busters-alterations/#comment-58305 Janel Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:30:51 +0000 http://betweenmypeers.com/2009/01/12/budget-busters-alterations/#comment-58305 BTW: This is what I was talking about when I mentioned "well fitted sloper," sometimes called a fitting shell. They make them for pants as well. http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M2718 BTW: This is what I was talking about when I mentioned “well fitted sloper,” sometimes called a fitting shell. They make them for pants as well.

http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M2718

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