How to Alter a Jacket

Whether you purchased it second-hand, got a hand-me-down or lost a great deal of weight, it is easy to adjust the size of your jacket to make a good fit. Altering a jacket is relatively easy. You just need a few supplies and some basic knowledge of sewing.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pins
• Needle
• Thread
• Seam ripper
• An iron

1. Try on the jacket. This is easiest with someone to help you so you can stand up straight and get the best fit. Stand in front of a mirror so you can see yourself, how the jacket fits and how you would like it to fit.

2. Mark the places where the jacket should end exactly with pins. Check the arm length at the cuffs, the length of the jacket at the hips, the side seams and the buttons for closure.

3. Hem the sleeves at the cuffs. Use the seam ripper to separate the lining of the jacket to the fashion fabric on the side of the cuff. Be very careful not to tear the fabric. Rip only the thread holding it together. Adjust the arm to the proper length and pin into place. Use the needle and thread to stitch the jacket to the lining using quick whip stitches. Press the cuffs with a hot iron.

4. Use the seam ripper to take apart the inner lining from the fashion fabric along the bottom of the jacket. Turn the jacket inside-out of the lining.

5. Adjust the side seams of the jacket to the proper size and pin into place. Stitch a straight stitch down the sides of the jacket starting at the armhole and working down. This is easiest with a sewing machine. Adjust the lining at the side seams the same amount. Press all of the side seams flat with a hot iron so that they lie flat.

6. Adjust the bottom of the jacket so it is the proper length. Use the thread and needle to stitch the lining to the fashion fabric using a whip stitch. Press these seams so that they lie flat also.

7. Make the final adjustments to the jacket by moving the button over slightly. Do not do this more than a half inch or it can warp the look and shape of the jacket. Use a fabric pen or pins to mark where the buttons should go, remove the buttons with the seam ripper and reattach with the thread and needle.

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[bgillard]

on 2/25/2009 But suppose you want to make the jacket larger and wider.