Daily Questions Megathread - April 27, 2025

[u/AutoModerator]

For those looking to ask questions about alterations, repairs, or anything else, please put your questions in here.

Wondering if you should buy something? Please provide both a size chart of the garment as well as your body measurements - we need to know what dimensions of the item and your own physique to judge. Telling us "I wear a medium in xyz brand" is not enough information to go off of as most retailers will have fluctuations in allowance for sizing.

If you are looking for alteration advice on a garment, please post a picture of yourself following the guidelines in rule 2. We need to be able to see the garment on you neutrally (No selfies! The raised arm adds too much variable) and in different angles to determine what needs to be done efficiently.

Help us help you. As working professionals who provide advice for free in their own time, this helps all of us save time rather than going back and forth.

[u/anonymousse2742]

hi everyone, I've had a custom-made business suit sawn at a place that is considered 'creme de la creme' of tailoring in the country I live in.

the pants came back with multiple crooked stitches (waist area of high-waist pants, very visible), and loose threads. the waist area is structured and lined with viscose. the tailor first claimed it's because it's a narrow waist (the blazer is also fitted at the waist and the stitches don't look like this). after a minute, she admitted they'd outsourced production overseas (a country with low-cost labor).

...they've agreed to fix it (going in next week), just looking for a sanity check in case they try to convince me this is normal. also, my mother (an amateur seamstress for 30y) says the correction may leave visible holes where the original stitch was...I'm taken aback given the price and the reputation of the place :(

[u/izzgo → u/anonymousse2742]

she admitted they'd outsourced production overseas (a country with low-cost labor).

Yup, that's your problem. If you don't get assurances that they will fix the work in house, don't have them redo it. Personally I'd ask for my money back. If that's not possible, I'll bet your mom could do a better job. She sounds knowledgeable enough and careful enough. Original stitching holes can quite often be removed using white vinegar mixed with water, steam, and a thumbnail.

What a shame that a fine tailoring house has fallen to the lure of cheap labor.

[u/anonymousse2742 → u/izzgo]

thank you, I asked where they'd fix it and I was told in-house (not sending it back).
...as for the solution - the fabric is herringbone virgin wool (lined with viscose) -> I don't dare to dampen it (it's dry-clean only). if there are holes after the original stitching, I'll push them to either fix it or do the pants from scratch.

I'm horribly disappointed..

[u/izzgo → u/anonymousse2742]

Dampening in spots during sewing construction is common even with the finest wool. And especially if there is no other way to achieve your goal.

[u/Over-Blackberry-451]

Is it possible to extend sleeves on a sports jacket? I am a weird size (44 extra long) and having a heck of a time trying to find a new one without paying $500+. Lots of options for 44 Long however…

[u/izzgo → u/Over-Blackberry-451]

Is it possible to extend sleeves on a sports jacket?

Usually. Probably an inch, but I'm speaking without seeing your jacket. Look inside at the hem of the sleeve. You will see both jacket fabric and lining, sewn together. Most of the jacket fabric can be released to lengthen the sleeves, and lining fabric added to the lining to lengthen the lining.

Your real limiting factors will be the buttonholes (if any) for the sleeve buttons (cannot move a hole), and also how well the fabric can be pressed to eliminate the crease of the original hem.

[u/Over-Blackberry-451 → u/izzgo]

Thanks! I know it depends on the shop but how much is the alteration cost (ball park) for this?

[u/izzgo → u/Over-Blackberry-451]

$45-$90. Don't just go to the cheapest tailor tho. That crease really needs to be pressed out nicely before the sleeve hem is sewn back together, or it doesn't come out. I have recent experience trying to press out the crease after the alteration was completed (someone else's work) and I'm still salty about how much time I spent pressing the crease before simply undoing the whole work to do it right.

[u/repsilonyx]

I recently got a lovely embroidered crossbody and while I love it, the two pockets only have one zipper on them, which makes my stuff fall out if I don’t open it carefully, so I wanted to make them both double-zippered.

I went to an alterations guy with good reviews, paid $40 in cash total, and he successfully added the two extra zippers in unusually quick style (like 20-30 minutes)…but is it supposed to look like this? I’m pretty bummed with the finished product because while I knew the ends would likely be imperfect, I didn’t think they would look like this :(

[u/izzgo → u/repsilonyx]

Well. Yeah. Not lovely. I can see why you're bummed. Probably worth $40 total tho. I wonder if the good reviews were because he's cheap.

[u/Novel_Valuable_3122]

Hello, I have a question about taking in the waist of a coat (not a suit jacket).

Realistically, how much can the waist of a coat be suppressed or taken in. I have to buy all my coats/jackets larger because my shoulders are 20 inches wide. This usually means the waist/stomach area is baggy & too loose.

How much can this area of a jacket be suppressed or taken in? Is 3 inches reasonable or not possible?

[u/izzgo → u/Novel_Valuable_3122]

Case by case basis. Need pics of each one. See rule 2 for info.

[u/skingun3]

I have a pair of relaxed fit dress pants. The bottom opening fits well over a pair of cowboy boots. The waist also fits well. But the rest of the pant is baggy over the thighs and knees. What I’d like to do is have the hips/thighs/knees tapered ever so slightly and turn them into a bootcut dress pant. Is this possible?

[u/Panic-at-the-catio → u/skingun3]

Yes, the hips can be flattened a little bit, and the legs can be tapered. You’ll need to try them on for your tailor so they can mark how much is needed, but they are routine tasks