Secondhand "Chic"

[grey_l_elerson]

I've started to save money by purchasing sportcoats from Goodwill. I've found that there's nowhere on earth that you can find stuff for those prices. I've also found that with a slender build like me, there's barely anywhere that carries stuff that fits well. I recently purchased a sportcoat that has a good armlength, but is too wide in the torso. I thought I could make the $5 investment and do some research to find out tailoring techniques. Does anyone know how to tailor a sportcoat?

[ladyjanewriter]

Can I vote "both?"

OK, I am just attempting DIY clothes, but my gramma (RIP) used to do bridal alterations and other sewing from home. She was not a fan of repairing jackets, b/c of the lining - you have to un-do the stitches from the lining before you can get to the actual jacket part of the jacket.

I would suggest that if 1) You are a super-good visual learner, and 2) you know how to sew, you might be able to DIY this. In a weird way, men's clothes are harder to tailor than some simpler women's clothes, from what I understand.

I would recommend checking out costumers' web pages. Costumers always seem to have tons and tons of links for both men's and women's clothes.

Lemme see if I can find anything - brb. I love to google stuff.

OK, here's a book on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Tailoring-Techniques-Construction-Collection/dp/0870054317/ref=pd_bbs_2/002-6432158-8056830?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184357506&sr=8-2

But, if you plan to go to a tailor or a dry cleaner for alterations? You'll still come out ahead.

[shewolf]

I love my seam ripper, but I'll use scissors if I can't find my ripper.

[Jelfish]

I would suggest this book: "Altering Men's Ready-to-Wear," by Mary Roehr It covers a lot of ground and is easy to understand.

http://www.maryroehr.com/altering-mens-ready-to-wear.html

Amazon Link (http://www.amazon.com/Altering-Mens-Ready-Wear-Roehr/dp/0961922915/ref=sr_1_2/102-3137086-7537733?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184369492&sr=1-2)

Jel

[superdoofus]

ok, this might come across as odd, but taking in a blazer or sportcoat should be thought of in the same way that a plastic surgeon would consider someone with excess skin after a stomach stapling.
consider this: should you remove fabric from the shoulder seam or from the neck or both? take in the sides or take in the lapels and back seam? see, guys don't understand the concept of "girth" measurements, our clothes and such have never made mention of that issue. think of your own shoulder, chest, waist, and girth measurements in much the same way that women are aware of their waist, hip, and inseam ratios. make the fabric work for you.

[grey_l_elerson]

Thanx. I'll try that.