Taking in big shirts

[ms244]

I pay $14/shirt to the Thai lady at the local mall to take the sides in and ALSO Raise the armholes.

Figure if you pay less then $30 for an ebay shirt and another $14 to get it altered you are still within Jantzen prices and way below what a custom shirt would run.

 

[lee_44106]

Originally Posted by mishon

I recently bought two Borrelli shirts online and they have a 50 inch chest. I will gladly spend $25, or whatever it costs to get them altered, because of how much I paid. Also, since Borrelli has hand sewn sleeves, it's easy for any competent tailor to shorten and / or make sleeve alterations. I am not sure if the same holds true for an Alfani shirt .



I'm not understanding this logic, or lack thereof. Do you think because a shirt has "handsewn" detail it would be easier to alter? Handsewn or machin-sewn still requires placement of stitiches. Alterations of any kind still requires removal of pre-existing stitches and replacement.

So, with your expensive "handsewn" Borrelli shirts, do you ask your alteration tailor to replicate the "handsewn" details? Are you pissed if he gives you machinesewn seams instead?

 

[TRINI]

I just had one of those gingham Lorenzini shirts altered and had to have the sleeves shortened and the sides taken in.

I don't think I can buy an OTR shirt again.

 

[DocHolliday]

Originally Posted by AnGeLiCbOrIs

Think I can take this Polo in?

I don't think you need the pants.

 

[mishon]

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

Gads, my place slims both arms and sides for less than $20. Are you sure they're not quoting you prices for separate alterations? If they're doing both at once, it shouldn't be $50.
I was quoted $25 each by a tailor. I may have misunderstood, and will ask again when I pick up my suit tomorrow. It does sound almost extortionist.

Originally Posted by lee_44106

I'm not understanding this logic, or lack thereof. Do you think because a shirt has "handsewn" detail it would be easier to alter? Handsewn or machin-sewn still requires placement of stitiches. Alterations of any kind still requires removal of pre-existing stitches and replacement.
Lee, what's with the tone? Yes, I think because the sleeves are handsewn, they will be easier to take off and reattach.

Originally Posted by lee_44106

So, with your expensive "handsewn" Borrelli shirts, do you ask your alteration tailor to replicate the "handsewn" details? Are you pissed if he gives you machinesewn seams instead?
While I did not ask him to "replicate" the handsewn details per se, I asked him to hand sew the sleeves back. He did the same thing with trouser alterations for my Castangia suits. P.S. I must specify. I meant he handsewn the pant cuffs and made all alterations by hand.

 

[pgoat]

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

Gads, my place slims both arms and sides for less than $20. Are you sure they're not quoting you prices for separate alterations? If they're doing both at once, it shouldn't be $50.

fwiw, I've gotten quotes for simple things (hemming pants, etc) in manhattan that were double what is charged in outer boroughs (where I live). Location, location location

 

[DocHolliday]

Originally Posted by pgoat

fwiw, I've gotten quotes for simple things (hemming pants, etc) in manhattan that were double what is charged in outer boroughs (where I live). Location, location location

True dat. But seems like there should be a savings in having both things done at once. It's all the same operation.

 

[pgoat]

Absolutely. And btw, that is why I never get things in Manhattan, unless absolutely necessary!

 

[a tailor]

if this was just taking in the sides and narrowing the sleeves,i would say ok.
but narrowing the shoulders means removing the sleeves. then the sleeves will be shorter, providing the sleeve will go back into the armhole. the deep armhole cant be raised, you cant sew on empty space.
give those shirts to your bro inlaw.
give m2m a try.

 

[pgoat]

Thanks guys...donate is how I'm leaning for this first batch (I have the biggest ones up for grabs first). If my other smaller (and better quality) shirts just need a tweak at the sides I'm gonna take them to my local cleaner's - less dear ones first, as a test bed, of course. Def. Going with MTM in future...from what I understand, purchased in bulk, it's comparable in price to a nicer OTR (T. Pink, Tyrwhitt) so why not? Any recommendations on a decent fitting mtm shirtmaker in Manhattan that won't break the bank (to hold me over till I can afford to pop by T&A

)? Pls feel free to point to appropriate NYC threads (I assume they exist) if that's easier...

 

[LesterSnodgrass]

Not to hi-jack this thread, but ....

I recently picked up a starter sewing machine to do these types of alterations myself, and to hem, slim pants, etc.

Does anyone know the proper way to slim shirt sides and sleeves. I tried simply running a single stitch from the bottom of the shirt, through the pit and to the sleeve cuff and the results were less than stellar. The arm pit area was all fubar.

Advice from any part time do-it yourself tailors?

 

[AnGeLiCbOrIs]

Originally Posted by pgoat

Thanks guys...donate is how I'm leaning for this first batch (I have the biggest ones up for grabs first). If my other smaller (and better quality) shirts just need a tweak at the sides I'm gonna take them to my local cleaner's - less dear ones first, as a test bed, of course.

Def. Going with MTM in future...from what I understand, purchased in bulk, it's comparable in price to a nicer OTR (T. Pink, Tyrwhitt) so why not?

Any recommendations on a decent fitting mtm shirtmaker in Manhattan that won't break the bank (to hold me over till I can afford to pop by T&A

)?

Pls feel free to point to appropriate NYC threads (I assume they exist) if that's easier...

You can contact SF member Shirtmaven. Here is his website.

 

[vitaminc]

Originally Posted by EdenResident

As long as the shoulders fit, there should be no problem at all. I have my shirts taken in and get the arms slimmed all the time. This is an easy job and any decent tailor should be able to do it.

But could the armhole cut be altered?

 

[Beta]

Originally Posted by ms244

I pay $14/shirt to the Thai lady at the local mall to take the sides in and ALSO Raise the armholes.

Figure if you pay less then $30 for an ebay shirt and another $14 to get it altered you are still within Jantzen prices and way below what a custom shirt would run.

me too.

 

[pgoat]

Originally Posted by AnGeLiCbOrIs

You can contact SF member Shirtmaven. Here is his website.

Cool - thanks so much.

I'll def. look into salvaging my present shirts - just not all of them...