DIY Clothing Alterations

[k0llectable5]

I'm after some advice.

I bought two pairs of action back overalls for the OH.  They are a tiny bit too small and I need to lengthen the straps by about 2 or 3 inches somehow.  I'm not the greatest on a sewing maching but I have a go lol 

Does anyone have any idea of the best way I could lenghten the straps.  I'm gunna go into spotlight today and ask there but I just thought maybe someone here may have some pointers, or if there is a product out there that can be fitted somehow to extend the straps.  

[lloydslights]

After unpicking the straps at the back of them, perhaps some suitably finished fabric strips from old overalls could be added. 

Or some wide elastic could be added to the length of the unpicked straps.  

Stitching would have to be suitably reinforced.  

A special needle for the machine for thick fabrics would be required.

Spotlight may come up with something else.  

DEB

[k0llectable5]

And any advice for taking up pants would also be much appreciated 🙂

[azureline**]

You can buy a wide tape and extend the strap but I would buy drill fabric and cut straps to suit, stitch them on to existing straps, alternatively, you could unpick the front pieces that hold the ?buckle? and put a new piece on there.

[lurker172602]

Take them to the dressmaker shw, that's what I'm doing in about half an hour 🙂

[k0llectable5]

Thankyou so much lloydslights 🙂 I really ap[preciate your advice.  

Thats kinda what I had in mind.  I'm not sure if just lenghtening the elastic will do the job.  I'm thinking they would probably be kinda baggy at the back.  I'm thinking to maybe use the fabric strips idea as well as lengthening the elastic straps slightly.

Do you think I should sew extra length onto the elastic straps or buy whole new pieces of elastic to fit?

[k0llectable5]

Thanks Az, that may also work.  

And Lurker, I bought them for a bit of a bargain price and was hoping not to have to spend too much more on them.  How much do you reckon a dressmaker would charge?

[lloydslights]

I should be doing the same right now

After the vacuuming.

What I do is have his old proper length pants and measure the inside leg length.

Measure the same seam and mark the new pants.

Now, on the new pants, measure from the old hem to the new mark all around that leg. That marking is the finished length.

 Allow for the hem before cutting.  Sew up a hem.  Again the thickness of the seams may be a challenge for a needle.  I just start and finish before/after.

Just thinking......do you think the overalls may shrink after washing

In regards to the strap,  that area will have a lot of stress put on it, I would go for a new longer piece of elastic. Again suitably reinforced stitching.  

Hint:  sew one line of stitching and have your model try it on.  Then double/triple the stitching.  (Much easier for unpicking if only one row of stitches.  )

And don't rip the fabric when unstitching with an "unpicker" 

Maybe the girls at Spotlight might know someone who can help with your project.  Not just do it.  But assist you in completing the job for future reference.   A test run on a store machine??????

Deb.

[k0llectable5]

Just thinking......do you think the overalls may shrink after washing

I'm certain they will.  So really I have to allow for that as well dont I?  But they do stretch out again slightly after a few wears.  

In regards to the strap,  that area will have a lot of stress put on it, I would go for a new longer piece of elastic. Again suitably reinforced stitching.  Hint:  sew one line of stitching and have your model try it on.  Then double/triple the stitching.  (Much easier for unpicking if only one row of stitches.  )

Fantastic advice, I knew there'd be a professional sewer on here somewhere lol

My machine is an old Elna,  it seems to sew through most fabrics fairly easily.  Although I spent 3 hours the other day taking up a pair of pants, I just couldn't get them right, had to unpick 2 attempts and I'm still not that happy with them.

[azureline**]

wash them before you hem them.