We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provied a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affilated sites. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.

Sometimes it seems like people who sew love to hate alterations. If that’s you, I’d love to change your mind! First of all, I have a question for you.

Why did you start to sew?

Might it have something to do with the following:

• Expressing your personal style?
• Making clothes that fit you well?
• You couldn’t find clothes you liked in the stores?
• Learning to sew would mean you could mend and rework your clothes, saving money?
• Mending clothes helps keep them out of the landfill?
• You don’t want to buy clothes that might support unjust labour practices or contribute to pollution, so you decide to make clothes yourself?

I have an interest in all of the above. I started with personal style, then studied costume, and now I’m really keen on clothing fit.

DIY alterations are awesome!

I believe that when you wear clothes that fit you perfectly, they can really help you feel confident in yourself. I do alterations for others, but I do think that wearing something that you altered yourself, to your own body, in your unique style can be empowering.

Sometimes I see posts online that call alterations boring. But, with a little know-how and practice, you can go “shopping” in your own closet. You can take those clothes you never really wore because they just weren’t fitting quite right – and elevate them with just a few tweaks.

My most used alterations are darts – I have a tutorial on how to fit and sew contour darts

Learn what alterations work for your body and personal style.

Of course, there is a learning curve to everything, but I now have a framework in place and apply systems to similar items (I wore denim shirts and shirt dresses I tailored myself this spring – it was a lot of the same technique of darts applied to these over and over. Anything you repeat in sewing usually gets easier each time).

I now alter my clothes regularly and have a much easier time shopping for clothes now because I know what I can alter. (For more on this: see my post How to use size charts for women’s clothing)

Altering your own clothing is faster than using a commercial pattern

I do sometimes buy or draft sewing patterns too, but buying sewing patterns is not the only way to have nice fitting clothes that fit. You can work with clothes you already have and alter them in far less time than cutting and sewing a pattern. I love the quick win!

Patterns are great for inspiration when you are looking for something new. I just want to mention that they are not the only way to get clothes that fit you well.

If alterations are something you do a lot of, you may wish to get a dress form for things like pinning darts, marking dress hems, and more. However, it isn’t a requirement. You can pin things in on yourself, but a dress form does make it a bit easier.

Do you like to alter your clothes, or would like to learn more about them?

I have started a Facebook group, Sew and Alter Clothes you Love to Wear, to connect and share inspiration with others. I also share alterations I’m working on for myself in that group.

Want to learn more about altering clothes you already have to fit your unique body and style? Receive my free guide full of tips to get you started doing your own clothing adjustments by signing up for my newsletter here.

I’m curious to hear your opinions on doing your own alterations in the comments below.