Alterations & Repairs: Questions Answered on Everything from Mending to Makeovers

Alterations are made to improve the fit and appearance of a garment. This new title in Barron's 200 Q&A Series presents the most frequently-asked questions, and offers concise answers to all aspects of altering, mending and repairing dresses, skirts, coats, and other garments. Questions and answers start with learning the basics of mending by hand. This entails learning how to hold and thread a needle, knot the thread and sew several different mending stitches. Topics that follow include: Sewing on buttons, hooks, and snaps Letting down and shortening hemlines, especially for children's clothing. Changing the shapes of sleeves and waistlines Taking in, shortening, and adjusting waistbands for pants and skirts, and much more The author presents a wealth of mending and sewing tips that make it easy for everybody, especially beginners, to give altered garments a truly professional appearance. Approximately 100 color diagrams, photos, and illustrations.