Custom fit

[pasithea]

The other day I took in a blouse for a friend. Not hard. Had her try it on, tried folding different seams until I found the ones that would give the best fit. Pinned and marked it, ripped two stitches and put in two new ones. Transformed a shirt that made her look pregnant into one that fit properly.

This kind of stuff is easy to do. I've done it a couple of times for friends, though I've never done it for myself. Why not? I can take a two dollar thrift store shirt and in half an hour or so, custom tailor it to look fantastic.

It's funny to think that until the 50s or so, pretty-much everyone got their clothes custom fitted. It was just part of the service on buying clothes. Another thing mass production has taken away from us, I guess.

Anyhow, I think I need to remember I can do this and use those eyes when I shop. I should be able to pick up thrift store fare and make myself look better for cheaper than buying new clothes.

Comments

[paka.livejournal.com]

What really weirds me out, since I come into contact with this stuff through military history/geeking out about models; the old tradition of officers having their own uniforms custom-tailored, coexisting with most soldiers getting mass produced uniforms. The tailors would just get the specs from the War Ministry or whatever. I know this was going on during WWII, maybe beyond?

[centauress.livejournal.com]

In a way, I suppose it's because the eyes are on them. I suppose our country is different, by toning down our elite by putting them in mass-produced stuff instead of vice-versa.

One of the many cultural differences we have from the rest of the world...

[barberio.livejournal.com]

To quibble a bit, most people got 'made to fit' clothes. Which were clothes cut to standard designs, them hemmed to fit. You still had to be well off to get 'tailor made' clothes which were custom fit for you.

[azikale.livejournal.com]

I really wish i could do that sort of alteration. It seems like a really useful skill.