now featuring: the Bootleg Tailoring Corner!

I’ve been thinking for some time now that my blog is in need of a regular feature so here it is ladies and gents: Bootleg Tailoring! Although I have never used a sewing machine and patterns scare the crap out of me, I do a fair bit of tailoring on my own clothes. I started doing a lot of thrift store shopping with my brother when I was in junior high, and being that we were the only people in our very small town looking for things like vintage prom dresses and suspenders we found some amazing stuff. The only bummer is being a fairly small girl with somewhat different measurements (boobs and no hips or ass at all) it’s hard to find things to fit me the way I like. I took to sewing a little bit in high school but didn’t really get into it until I was about 20. For me hand sewing is one of the most relaxing, rewarding things I can do and if you add in some Project Runway I’m basically in heaven. However, like I’ve said I have no training in sewing really, I just sew logically. I’ll show you what I mean with my latest project- I picked up these amazing pants at the swap, but they were waaay too big on me.

Pretty heinous and unflattering right? I mean, I love the pattern and what they became, but I can see why everyone seemed kind of horrified when I was excitedly showing them around. I just think they’re so goofy- I mean, they actually say the words ‘primitve’ and ‘ethnic’ on them! I also love them for the extreme M.I.A. factor.

Annnyway, I started by turning them inside out and having my very handsome boyfriend pull them tight and pin all the way down. Make sure to leave enough room unpinned at the top to get out of them!

Doesn't he look so thrilled to be doing this?

So next I took them off veeeery carefully so none of the pins would fall out and laid them down to go over the hemlines with a pen. Basically just draw a line all along your pin line. Ball point pens work great for marking fabric and usually come out in the wash if you don’t want to invest in a fabric pen. (That’s what I use.)

Don't mind my little voodoo pin cushion...

Depending on how much you take them in you may need to snip some of the extra fabric from the edge so they don’t look bulky. Just make sure you leave at least a half an inch so your stitches don’t get pulled out. If you’re working with polyester you can use a lighter to singe in raw edges so it doesn’t fray- but be VERY CAREFUL not to set yourself and your garment on fire.

Sorry it's so blurry!

Tah-dah!!

I am probably the most proud of these than any other alteration I’ve done. I wore them out last night and got some great compliments on them, and they’re also super comfy since they’re a little stretchy.

I hope these tips may help some of the sewing-impaired, and there will be more Bootleg Tailoring posts very soon! Please ask if you have any questions, I’d love to help other people enjoy sewing as much as I do!