Ok gang -the good news is that I'm continuing to lose weight. The bad news is that some favorite sweaters are now way too big; one V-neck, one turtle neck and one cardigan. The cardigan can be worn over things and is the lowest priority. The other two are supposed to be the bottom layer or worn alone.
So - do I just pass these favorites on or do I find some way to have them altered. Both are silk blend knits and the color/textures are flattering.
Cheryl
Other then wearing them with a belt over tight leg pants, or tights if you like them, I can't think of much to do. I don't think alteration works well on a knit, especially a silk knit that tends to be slippery
L.
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If my lower half was trimming up as fast as the top half, I'd think about it. Even if I could just take the shoulders in a little, it would be great.
Cheryl
Pass them on because it's an absolute P.I.T.A. to try and alter ANY sort of knit. You can take anything in a little bit but not much more than about 1/2" along a side seam and you start to screw up the arm hole. The only way you could possibly do it and have it fit OK -- assuming you need to take it in more than 1/2" on either side -- would be to take the sleeves off and then recut the whole garment making the shoulder seam a bit shorter, taking in the side seams and the sleeves and then putting the whole thing back together. I have shortened shoulder seams by taking a tuck or pleat in the middle of it and then taking in the side seams. When clothes get too big, you need to bring that arm hole up a bit so that the whole underarm area fits properly. You could try to bring the arm hole up by running a short basting stitch along the shoulder seam and then gathering it so that the knit scrunches up but doesn't really gather. This will bring the bottom of the arm hole area up into your armpit more so that it fits better when you take in the under arm seam. Give it a try and let us know if you are successful, OK? CiaoMeow >^;;^<
PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at
I suggest you take them to a good dressmaker or tailor. They can be altered, but unless you really know what you're doing it is probably safest to have a professional do it. Good luck, and CONGRATULATIONS!
If it's just a shoulder problem, then:
1) Try some thin raglan shoulderpads in them. They'll also help balance your silhouette a bit. 2) Or try pinning some fabric out of the shoulder seam, which will make the neckline a bit smaller, too. If that works, just sew out the shoulder seam a bit deeper. To salvage the turtleneck, you'll have to remove the collar and recut the neckline, then reattach the collar. Or recut the collar fabric into a slightly different style and reattach. 3) Or consider sewing some of the clear polyurethane elastic into the shoulder seam, stretching while you're sewing. It'll give you some shirring.
The turtleneck will be the hardest to alter (if your neck size has changed), but they both can be recut and resewn -- a serger would be especially useful, but zigzag on a sewing machine works, too. If you use a sewing machine, you might want to stabilize the seam with tissue paper, and don't use a crowded stitch pattern, or you'll get wavy seams.
Kay
My sister wouldn't wear either of them either.
Cheryl
You promise you won't waste away befor next summer?? I still need my really good friend to be huggable! LOL.
invite a friend who can help , wear the sweaters inside out , and let her put pins in the places that need taking in . Now bast those places and try and wear it , if it sits well !!!! open the basting line and Use your 4 step zigzag to sew 2cm outside the pin line [=your future new slim seam;:>:>:>:>:>] , after you zigzaged each side , Sew the seam =pinned line !!! Cut off excess parts , Congratulations with your NEW self and renewed sweater , mirjam
SNIP
Honey, I won't go below 140 - that is my limit - or a size 14 - which ever comes first.
Cheryl
Just curious - how tall are you?
Linda (who is 5'10" and proud of it TYVM!)
5 foot 8 inches - currently about 185 lbs. Down from around 205.
Know any busty women that would wear some lovely 18-20 tops.
Cheryl
Cheryl's a midget.
Elizabeth (5'11")
At 5'8", you'll be a skinny minnie at 140! {VBG} I'm only 5'7", and I'm right around the 140 mark. Well, my home scale says 133, the doctor's scale said 144 last week (his is wrong, of course). I'm down to a size 6 or an 8 in pants, depending on the cut of the clothing, although I like to wear a 10 or a large on top (cuz I'm used to wearing big baggy clothes that hide my figure). I've lost 100 pounds in the last 18 months myself. Actually, I'm
20 pounds lighter than my pre-pregnancy weight, so I've lost it all plus that extra 20 in only the last 4 months. I've got an entire trunk full of clothes ranging from size 10 up to 20/2X that I've been meaning to take to the consignment shop or Goodwill, I just can't seem to get there! Funny how babies take up so much time...Jinx
Ok Jinx, I could stand to lose 100 lbs (at which point I'd weigh what Cheryl weighs now). How'd you do it?
Elizabeth
Huh?? I am friends with you two, and all of 5'3". However, I am happy that I have not shrunk a smidgeon! Still waiting for Brat to pat me on the head! LOL
Just wish I could reduce the bust! I am tired of carrying safety pins to take care of "the gap".
Love you both.. you are fun to be around
Gill
Don't do it, Brat.... you would look like a skeleton. Jim likes you the way you are despite political differences LOLOL.
Gill
Wouldn't it be fun if all four of us could march together in size place. I check in at 5' if I make sure to stand up straight.
Lucille
No way, honey. At 180, I was HOT. And not a bit skinny.
Elizabeth
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