I know I’ve been on a real kick lately (finishing the semester and miserable weather for a solid week will really make the internet appealing).

Recently Ashley and I decided to experiment in self tailoring some clothes.  I have a some shirts that I really like for their material but that fit like potato sacks.  I figured, how hard can some of this be?

So we took a beat up old white broadcloth button down (that I got at a thrift store in London in ‘04) that fits pretty baggily.  Using a DIY guide that girrouxmcisaak directed me to Ashley pinned me up and tried to answer the question “how hard is it to make a shirt more wearable?”

The answer? Kind of hard.  You can see in the pics, there was a lot of material to be taken in and it was fairly successful in slimming down the sides and sleeves.  But now there’s this weird pseudo-pleat at the cuff and the whole endeavor is sort of strangely wrinkled.  I’m sure that better pinning can solve the strange wrinkling, but I’m not certain how that pleat type thing on the cuff can be fixed.

I’m going to be hitting the internet to see if I can find an answer.  Any suggestions?

tailoring jeans?

So I’d been looking for a pair of white jeans on my thrifting budget.  501’s are a little too baggy in the ass region and Levi’s was not helpful with providing white 505’s or 514’s.

I considered some others but then found some at the LL Bean Outlet in slightly off white (I think J. Crew had some similar in “wheat”)  $20, sold.

The problem? They’re a 30x36.  I wear a 30x30.  Now I like a healthy cuff as much as the next guy, but 6” or a triple rolled 2” seems excessive (even for me).  Plus I want them to have no break as they’re going to be primarily summer denim.

I’ve never had a pair of jeans tailored before and seem to remember there’s “tricks” involved as a normal sewing machine can’t do a proper jean style hem on denim. What should I know?  Anything important to keep in mind?  I’m all ears.