Clothing Alterations Techniques, Benefits and Importance

Clothing Alterations Techniques, Benefits and Importance

Shubham Anil Jain
Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited
Bangalore, India
Email: shubhamajain125@gmail.com

Introduction:
Clothing alterations is defined as the act of altering or changing something to fit better or meet specific preferences. Simply, the changes made into a pattern, garment or design to enhance and improve the result of the appearance or fit is known as alteration. It is a kind of modifications that are made to a ready-made garment or something that has been altered to give a better fit and look. Many times we hear the term “alterations” in sewing when it deals with taking a commercial garment and manipulating it to improve the appearance of the fit. Professional tailors will often provide alteration work to the public; however, if you know how to sew then you can alter your own commercial garments for a customized fit, appearance and look. The magic of alterations is that it can make a garment look more couture because of the custom fit to your body type.

Different Types of Clothing Alterations Techniques:

1. Hemming:
In order to prevent unravelling of the fabric and to alter the length of the piece in garments, such as at the end of the sleeve or the bottom of the garment, a hem in sewing is a way of garment finishing.

Wear the item inside out. Make sure your hem is the same length all the way around and that the pant legs are straight by taking measurements.  The hem should be ironed where it is pinned. If the edge you are hemming has been cut, such as with a shortened dress, iron the hem down with the pins, but after removing the pins, fold the edge 1/4 to 1/2′′ inward and pin and iron once more to prevent an exposed edge from fraying. Never remove your pins before sewing the hem. It is now time to stitch.

2. Taking in a seam:
One of the most frequent adjustments that can be made by almost anyone who possesses a sewing machine, regardless of sewing ability level, is taking in certain portions of a garment to make it smaller. Without the need for complicated stitching techniques or tools, it is simple to complete.

Lay the seam flat on a table after turning the garment inside out. The previous seamline should be blended into the location where the new seam should begin using a fabric marking pencil, tailor’s chalk, or just a piece of dry soap and a ruler. Sew directly across the drawn line that corresponds to the new desired seam, when required merging into the previous stitch line.  Try the garment on at this point to determine whether any extra excess needs to be cut off.  If the new seams are satisfactory, trim the surplus fabric (which in this case will also contain portion of the old seam) keeping a consistent distance from the new stitch line.

3. Adding darts:
A dart, also known as a sewing dart, is a pleated section of cloth that, when sewed into fitting garments, gives a flat design a natural, three-dimensional shape. Dresses, tops, and skirts frequently include darts to fit the contours of the body at the bust, waist, and back. Darts improve clothing by forming style lines, a seam that provides clothing a special or distinctive appearance.

Begin on the incorrect side. The dart on your sewing pattern piece should be transferred to the wrong side of your fabric. Find a midway ground. Fold the fabric with the right sides together at the centerline to mark the center of the dart. Save the final pin for the pointy end of the dart and use straight pins to secure the folded dart in position. Begin stitching. Start at the outside edge of the fabric and follow the marked line to the tip of the dart, whether you’re stitching by hand or on a sewing machine. Remove the pins as you go along, starting with a medium stitch length (2.5). Dart the button. Before pressing darts, review the instructions on your sewing pattern. Typically, bust darts are pressed downward, while vertical darts are pressed towards the center.

Benefits of Clothes Alterations:

1. Enhanced Appearance:
No matter how expensive the dress is, if it doesn’t fit you precisely, you won’t look nice in it. Your clothing should appear to have been custom-made for you. A few tweaks can dramatically transform your appearance. A properly changed garment will fit you well, enhancing your entire appearance.

2. Spend Less on Clothing:
One of the major advantages of clothing changes is that they allow you to reuse your old clothes by making a few small adjustments. If the prior item of clothes does not fit you perfectly, it may also prevent you from purchasing a new one. If the unsuitable dress fits you well and is within your price range, you can easily have it changed and wear it. You can avoid spending a lot of money on useless new clothing by investing a little in dress alterations.

3. Ensure Your Personal Style is Attained:
You may express yourself through the exact style and fit you want when you have your wardrobe custom-tailored. To make each item reflect your individual style, add some embellishments to your tailoring for fit. You can request any alterations for your dress from your tailor, and you can even have it styled in whatever way you like.

4. Enhances How Your Clothes Fit:
The fact that modifications make an outfit precisely fit you is one of their most significant advantages. And this is the main justification for individuals getting their dresses altered. You can have the dress modified to fit your body shape and size with a few minor modifications from a talented tailor. The garment will be produced by an experienced tailor to appear custom-made for you.

Importance of Clothing Alterations:
Change your clothing to enhance your personality. You can look your best and work comfortably if you have the right length and waist proportions. Additionally, wearing clothes that fit well might boost your confidence. In conclusion, small alterations to your attire can help you reveal your true personality, which may be concealed by those lengthy sleeves.

You can make use of your outdated clothing. Services for changing clothing can change more than just size. Simple adjustments can breathe new life into your favourite pieces. Cut the legs of your favourite pants to create capris. To give your favorite skirt a fresh flare, slit it. Convert your favourite, worn-in jeans into your new favourite summer shorts. Nobody would even know that you had these garments altered, and, surprise, you’ll have a whole new wardrobe to like and use.

Instead of purchasing an entirely new wardrobe when our bodies change, we can adjust current clothing to suit better. As our workout habits change, our diets alter, and the years pass, so do our bodies. Altering clothing to fit better rather than purchasing new items will save the environment, your time, and your money. It takes time and is terrible for the environment to purchase new clothing that you enjoy, is comfortable, and fits you properly. You may have your clothes fit precisely without leaving the comfort of your home by making a few small adjustments. Instead of throwing your clothes away, make a difference by altering them. Modify your clothing to enhance your appearance and save the world. There is no easier way to achieve this.

Conclusion:
Your own style can be expressed strongly through your clothing. You must also dress flawlessly if you want to maintain your flawless personality. Now, dressing flawlessly does not necessarily mean that you should always wear brand-new, expensive clothing. Instead, you should be well-groomed and wear clothes that fit your frame. So that you can look your best and your dress will fit you perfectly. Now, finding a garment that precisely fits you is not always possible. In this situation, clothing alterations is the only way to make a dress fit you precisely. Therefore, modifications are crucial to providing you a flawless appearance and making your clothes look ideal.

References:

1. https://tmtailor.com/blogs/news/3-awesome-benefits-of-altering-clothes
2. https://www.stephilareine.com/2021/11/the-benefits-of-having-your-clothes-altered.html
3. https://www.styledbyjade.com/sbj-fashion-blog/the-importance-of-clothing-alterations
4. https://www.collegefashion.net/college-life/sewing-101-2-basic-clothing-alteration-techniques/
5. https://thesewingloftblog.com/alterations-sewing-term/

You may also like:

1. A Basic Guide on Pattern Alterations for Beginners
2. Dart Manipulation Techniques for Flat Patterns
3. Different Types of Dart Techniques in Pattern Making
4. How to Hem a Dress: A Step-by-Step Guide

Mazharul Islam Kiron

Founder & Editor of Textile Learner. He is a Textile Consultant, Blogger & Entrepreneur. Mr. Kiron is working as a textile consultant in several local and international companies. He is also a contributor of Wikipedia.

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