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Member since 3/30/21
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Posted on: 7/9/24 8:49 AM ET
I would like to alter a ready-to-wear blazer (unlined) that I need to wear for work. It is too large in the bust area and hangs on me. I am thinking I can remove the sleeve, add a dart and take in the bottom of the sleeve to accommodate the dart. Has anyone done this, or have any other ideas? Thanks in advance!
  
Member since 11/19/19
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Posted on: 7/9/24 9:45 AM ET
Is it only the front bust area that's too big? When you say "it hangs on me" that conjures up a picture of too big all over.
I don't know whether it would work on an unlined jacket, but I did once take in a couple of too-big shirts by sewing vertical tucks each side from front hemline, over the shoulders to back hemline, like mock shoulder princess seams. You can adjust the width of the tucks to take more out of the front than the back, more out from the shoulders and less at the hips, or any other variation you like. If it ends up being a lot of fabric, you can trim off the excess and finish it like a seam. It avoids takign off the sleeves, and if you don't want to unpick and redo the hem, you can taper off to nothing somewhere above the hem. A variation on the theme would be to make vertical fisheye darts where you need them.
If it sounds like something that might work for you, maybe try pinning first and see whether you like the effect.
  
Member since 3/30/21
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Posted on: 7/9/24 9:58 AM ET
In reply to JennyJB
Yes, it's really only the bust that needs adjusting (and sleeves). I'll see if I can make the faux princess seaming work. There is a monogram on the jacket so could be tricky! Appreciate the suggestion!
  
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Posted on: 7/10/24 3:26 AM ET
I have successfully taken in a light jacket by sewing a line from from sleeve hem up the sleeve and down thr torso all the way to the hem, increasing the SA.
That's pretty easy as all you need to fiddle with is redoing short sections of the hems. And you can tweak the amount you take in depending on where you need it.

I'd never thought of doing a faux princess seam, but that sounds like a great idea too.
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Rosemary
  
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Posted on: 7/10/24 4:07 AM ET
I've taken things in that way too, side seam and sleeve seam in one pass, but I found it can make the armscye shape a bit strange if you're taking out more than maybe half an inch or so, I suppose because you're taking out some of the horizontal section under the arm.
  
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Posted on: 7/10/24 4:07 AM ET
Double post, sorry.
-- Edited on 7/10/24 at 4:08 AM ET --
  
Member since 3/11/14
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Posted on: 7/10/24 5:02 AM ET
I have taken a soft pleat in the shoulder line as well as a sleeve when things are too large. That can be very easy, obviously, because it has a big effect on the garment's drape over your body.
  
Member since 8/20/15
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Posted on: 7/11/24 8:08 AM ET
In reply to sewingkarens
The dart shouldn't be a problem and you can alter the sleeve to fit.

What I would do is baste in the dart that you want to add and see if you can work it around the monogram so it would look good. Do this before you start to tear apart the jacket.
  
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