Clothing

I am reaching out to those of you who have tried AND succeeded in altering your now "too big" clothing. I have happily donated 3 garbage bags full of clothing. I bought a little and now those are falling off me. I have really cute capris and skirts that I can't bear to part with. I have a sewing machine and I am willing to use it. I do not want to take my clothes to have someone else alter them, due to cost. And the question? What is the best way to "take in" pants? shirts? any help for bras? Why haven't my feet gotten smaller? thanks. I'm not a sewer, so please use plain directions if you have them. thanks again. Denise

I'm a sewer, but not much help in alterations. I would think you could take up your capris, down the sides, if there aren't pockets and such. I've luckily been able to keep wearing my stretch capri's, because I must have really stretched them prior to surgery. They do get baggy after an hour or so. Sigh... I don't think there is any hope for bras. You might be able to take in a dart in the skirts. I have a pile of clothes waiting to go to a friend. They are some very nice things, and I just hate to part with them. You know how much we had to spend on plus size clothing. I have a beautiful red twinset with a removalble faux fur collar. I left it in my closet, but it is too big. I cleared off my half of the closet. I just need to suck it up and get rid of the rest that does not fit me, or is out of style. Good luck in your alterations, Debbie -52

I'm not a great sew-er, but I've had some luck in taking up the shoulders of a couple of dresses and blouses by just taking in the sleeve seam about 1/2" all the way around where the sleeve is set into the bodice. Hope this helps. Julie

If possible, work with the outside seams. I always do it with a basting stitch first, then try it on. If it looks OK, then go back with a regular stitch. Steam press to smooth out seams. With a blouse, turn it inside out, start with the sleeve and go all the way down the seam to the bottom of the blouse. Pants with the fitted waist are harder, but with elastic pretty basic. Start at the waist and go down. Remember you made need to made the seam wider at top and taper it as you go down for a better fit. I won't attempt jeans because of the doubled over seams. If you take in on the inside seam, your pants may not hang correctly. It will pull up the inside of the pants. Sports bras ... maybe if you seam in the middle of the back. Regular bras ... maybe seaming the sides and adding darts to the cups if needed. Don't think tho you will be happy with the outcome of them. When I was heavy, my feet did a lot of swelling. Now they are not retaining fluids. If your feet did not retain fluids, then you probably won't change shoe sizes because your feet are the same as before. (just my opinion). Mary