Author Topic: Tailoring thrift-shop finds - advice  (Read 2733 times)

gbbi_977

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Tailoring thrift-shop finds - advice
« on: August 11, 2015, 11:36:46 AM »
Hello all,

Since discovering MMM, one thing I've been doing to save $$$ is trying to buy clothes at thrift/consignment stores (and only when I "need" them, not for shopping-as-entertainment).

I've got a new job and have lost 15 pounds this year so I didn't have any work pants/skirts that fit me, and today I found a pair of Theory wool dress pants for $4 - yay! Apparently they are around $200-$300 new (ridiculous).

Anyway, I didn't buy them for the label, but for the quality + great fit. Only thing is, they are very bootcut, and I prefer a straight leg. I'll probably just live with it, but I thought I would ask y'all for your experiences with tailoring second-hand finds. Any tailors/seamstresses on here able to give me a ballpark figure for what it might cost to have the legs taken in (from the knee down)?

Thanks!

PS because I feel like telling someone and my DH turns his nose up at secondhand: I also found a cashmere sweater (Banana Republic) for $8 and a Nine West silk floral skirt for $12.

Bob W

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Re: Tailoring thrift-shop finds - advice
« Reply #1 on: August 11, 2015, 11:53:57 AM »
I buy all my stuff at the thrift store.  Name brand, practically new or new in some cases. 

So last week I was checking out YouTube for tailoring advice.   I found some awesome videos on tailoring men's shirts that I will try.   They look so easy when you know the tricks.   I'm sure you could find several videos on your particular need on YouTube.   

sheepstache

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Re: Tailoring thrift-shop finds - advice
« Reply #2 on: August 11, 2015, 11:56:41 AM »
Tutorials for people wanting to make skinny jeans out of flare/boot cut jeans seem plentiful right now and it seems like it would basically be the same process as for what you want to do. Good luck! Post pics of you think of it.

TrMama

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Re: Tailoring thrift-shop finds - advice
« Reply #3 on: August 11, 2015, 12:01:11 PM »
Ditto the advice on looking for YouTube videos. I sew a lot and the basic steps you'll need to follow are:

1. Unpick the hem.
2. Take in both sides of the leg. Use a long ruler or strait edge (long piece of cardboard?) to get them even and straight. Make sure you finish the new edges so they don't ravel. Iron the new seams.
3. Re-hem. Iron the new hem.

NataliaDuma

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Re: Tailoring thrift-shop finds - advice
« Reply #4 on: September 12, 2015, 01:45:39 AM »
I often buy my clothes from thrift stores and consignment shops and alter them according to my style. It's actually a good way to be unique and to express your creativity and individuality. A few additional tweaks to a pants or a shirt for example can make it not just look better but somehow turn it into new clothing.