Make my clothes fit.

Michellenman

How're ya lads,

I've recently lost a bit of weight and now instead of being a full size 12 I'm wearing size 8-10. Unfortunately, I have a full wardrobe of size 12 clothes here that I'm stuck with for at least another 7 weeks until I get back to Ireland and back to work.

I don't have the money to go and buy a whole new wardrobe (or even just 'staple pieces' if I want to eat for the next 2 months :pac:) but I have enough for some belts and the likes.

My question is, how can I make the old clothes fit my new frame? Dresses are ok for the most part, because I can put belts on them, jeans and shorts and some skirts however are more troublesome. I'm finding that there's a bit gape at my back which frankly just isn't hot.

Are there any tricks of the trade I can do (I'm handy enough with a needle and thread) that will keep me going until I can get back to Ireland?

Thanks in advance

Michellenman

134 views..

Anyone have any ideas? I'm open to trying just about anything!

I didn't reply because I don't have a clue sorry
Maybe you could re-sew some of the buttons further along the waist line??

Michellenman

Oh cheers! That didn't even occur to me

CK2010

cant help you at all but well done on the weight loss!

maybe with t-shirts/tops you could try ripping up the neckline a little across the shoulders and wear them over a string top so its a little like a baggy boho look
similar to this, if you get me
http://lookbook.nu/look/227529

thats about it, sorry!

Any tops you can't belt, you could put darts in.

As for jeans, it's not advisable to try and take them in unless you've got a heavy duty sewing machine or an overlocker (I think).

I've never done this, but if I were you: Try taking them in at the zip by attaching a row of clasps( try here for ideas, you'll need something that wont pop open when you sit down... http://www.homesewing.co.uk/accessories/clothingfasteners/hookclasps/?p=1) . Don't take them in too much as it might make the shape unusual. Start where the zip is and then work a series of them up to the button, gradually moving away from the zip as you get towards the button. I have tried replacing a jeans button before and it wouldn't work for me. I found it far easier to buy a new large metal button that looked like a jeans button but instead of having a rivet-type attachment to the material, it was a normal loophole at the back. This wont be as strong as a normal button so be careful!

Although personally, I got a pair of jeans in Tescos :eek: a while ago, for €11ish and I think they fit me well. Nothing better than a pair of jeans that hugs you. If the funds can stretch to one pair, I'd recommend it. Try on lots, find a pair that you like, and treat yourself. And at the end of the day, you can remind yourself they're about a fifth of the price of a topshop pair!

Michellenman

CK2010 wrote: »

cant help you at all but well done on the weight loss!

Cheers!

maybe with t-shirts/tops you could try ripping up the neckline a little across the shoulders and wear them over a string top so its a little like a baggy boho look
similar to this, if you get me
http://lookbook.nu/look/227529

thats about it, sorry!

Thanks for that, but the baggy t shirt look isn't really my style. I'm a little ore conservative than that. Most of my clothes would be quite structured. Thanks though!

true-or-false wrote: »

Any tops you can't belt, you could put darts in.

This is a much better idea than mine of just tying them in a hair elastic at the back :pac:

As for jeans, it's not advisable to try and take them in unless you've got a heavy duty sewing machine or an overlocker (I think).

I learned this the hard way when I tried to alter a pair of shorts the other day

Won't be trying that again!

I've never done this, but if I were you: Try taking them in at the zip by attaching a row of clasps( try here for ideas, you'll need something that wont pop open when you sit down... http://www.homesewing.co.uk/accessories/clothingfasteners/hookclasps/?p=1) . Don't take them in too much as it might make the shape unusual. Start where the zip is and then work a series of them up to the button, gradually moving away from the zip as you get towards the button. I have tried replacing a jeans button before and it wouldn't work for me. I found it far easier to buy a new large metal button that looked like a jeans button but instead of having a rivet-type attachment to the material, it was a normal loophole at the back. This wont be as strong as a normal button so be careful!

Now this sounds interesting! Definitely something I might give a go!
Thanks!

Although personally, I got a pair of jeans in Tescos :eek: a while ago, for €11ish and I think they fit me well. Nothing better than a pair of jeans that hugs you. If the funds can stretch to one pair, I'd recommend it. Try on lots, find a pair that you like, and treat yourself. And at the end of the day, you can remind yourself they're about a fifth of the price of a topshop pair!

If I was in Ireland I would defo do this but in france if you're not 5'6 and a size 8 finding jeans is rather hard :pac:

Victoria.

Definitely belts on dresses

You could try to gather some of a t-shirt to the side and then pin it so it's smaller.

boomkatalog

Sounds kinda lazy but I recently ripped up a top a little to make it more fitted. Cut across the neckline like CK said, and I tied a knot on the bottom left of it too to make it tighter, wear it over a super long tank top and leggings. Sounds a bit naff but it looks really cute and noone will have the very same top Makes it a little tighter

A lot of things will shrink in the drier too, jeans and leggings etc. You could always do a clothes swap with friends, free clothes

baby and crumble

To 'get by' a good way of taking in clothes is to put them on inside out, pin them along the seams for the shape you actually need them in now, then sew along those pins, turn right side back and voila! This works pretty well on tees and shirts, where your shoulder probably haven't changed size, so they'll still fit there. You can do the same with sleeves but if you have cuffs it's a little more difficult.

As for jeans, I've been known to just sew lumps of the insides of waistbands together to make them smaller, but it's not terribly flattering in the end. Ok if you wear long tees, but not ideal