Three Alterations for my Niece!

My lovely niece brought me three quick alterations- adding buttons to her favorite cardigan, taking in the sides of her cashmere sweater, and taking in the waistband of a pleated skirt. You can probably guess which ones were easy and which one took a couple of tries!
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My serger - an old Kenmore
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Thank you, Matthew Inwood, for help with editing! You're awesome! [e-mail]
#sustainablefashion #sweaterupcycling #DIYFashion
Music: Fun Kid by Quincas Moreirae from the KZbin Audio Library
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Until next time, take care!
~Catherine
0:00 Intro
4:35 Adding Buttons to a Cardigan
10:11 Taking in the Sides of a Sweater
13:49 Adding Elastic to a Waistband
17:50 Finished!?
20:40 Taking in the Waist of a Pleated Skirt
17:24 Finished!
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[@butNick]

Oh my gosh Catherine, you are going to be so proud of me! I finally decided to take in my first sweater after waiting for over a year. This video inspired me. Well I did it and it looks just fine. I am so proud of myself and I wouldn't have done it without you!!

[@CatherineSews]

Well done! Yes, I'm very proud of you! 🥰

[@jmsmom67]

Good for you! Yay!

[@misha9179]

I have a sweater dress I am trying to mustard the courage to cut and serge 😅

[@cherylrice3049]

All three pieces look great! You would never know they had been altered, so professional.

[@lindap9079]

Beautiful job on all three projects. I love that you describe your problem-solving thought process.

[@countrygal3688]

As a non-sewer, the first thing I thought of to "fix" those 2 snips inside the band, was to take a piece of iron on interfacing, slip it into the slit, then press the cut edges down. But your repair looked so nice when finished. You made one girl extremely happy!

[@normacooper6377]

Loved those pretty buttons! I was thinking, “Choose those!” 😊 Looked very age appropriate, in my opinion. Sweet young woman. Great idea to stabilize the buttonholes, too. Your first elastic in the skirt waistband technique would probably be the safest fix for someone whose sewing skills might not be as advanced as yours. She’s quite a lucky young lady that you’re able to do a more expert fix.😉 Thanks for sharing your fixes.

[@katjabier4155]

Just WOW! I adore how down-to-earth and self-assured you are, Catherine, to not hide it when something doesn't work out the 1st time. I've learned so much from every video but the ones with 'imperfect' results, where you choose another solution, are my best. I learn the most from them - especially: don't give up and don't settle. Thank you for always making my day when I watch your videos ❤❤

[@CatherineSews]

Such a great comment. Thanks so much for appreciating the roller coaster ride that sewing can take you on!

[@rosariacarlostella9105]

I was holding my breath when you were fixing the skirt. It came out just beautifully. I knew you wouldn’t accept it with the elastic adjustment and I’m glad you didn’t. Awesome outcomes ❤❤❤

[@doriscassan6996]

I have the same complaint about those open front sweaters. It is boring having to wrap them around you all the time, with no buttons to keep it there. You did a great job fixing that! I was not surprised that you had to take the waistband off of the skirt but I was amazed that you could ease in that much! We won't touch upon the topic of people for whom a size zero is too big. Ahem. Sigh. A weekly dinner with family sounds heavenly. I hope you get to keep doing that for a long time. So precious.

[@lifeofjoy9404]

Auntie Catherine to the rescue!! 😍👍💪 All three items look fabulous!

[@themamachar]

You did a great job and isn’t she so cute.

[@gaylekanak9269]

Great job on all the fixes. I agree the skirt looks much better with the second fix. Your niece is beautiful!

[@sharongallagher3443]

The skirt alteration was enlightening.

[@kathleenmccauley579]

Beautiful work! Love the tips on how to alter these clothing items, especially the elastic and the steam for wavy serged edges. Plus your niece is so sweet, just like you!😊

[@CatherineSews]

Awww, thank you! 😊

[@carolc6364]

What a sweet aunt you are!

[@debbiepollock8458]

You are such an inspiration for everyone who wants their clothing to fit perfectly. Thank you so much.

[@ArlenePMCM]

All three are perfection. The skirt resizing was a really good lesson!

[@davederrick9431]

Very beautiful finish on the three garments. I really dislike doing alteration, however after subscribing to your chanel, I have changed my mind about alterations.

[@IMOO1896]

I’ve done the elastic in most of my jeans, which have a tendency to stand out at the back. I just run the elastic from side seam to side seam, but I sink the elastic end into the channel and sew either side of the opening, then you can’t even see that theres elastic inside.

[@1wholovestrees]

The jeans skirt reminds me of a dress I had to alter: I needed to take it in. It was a $500US prom dress and it was heavily sequined with jewels, so it couldn’t be taken in at the side seams, which didn’t exist because the dress was one big piece, wrapped to the back with a zipper seam! Strangely enough, the night before I decided to work on this I had a dream about rubber bands. The next day, I inserted elastic into the dress between the dress and the lining, starting at one side of the zipper and coming back to the other side. It fit like a charm! It’s good to know I think like you do, as I’m proud of that.

[@laurasnippe4609]

You are so knowledgable and your presentation skills are top notch!!

[@margarethoskins8882]

I like to use a hand stitched gathering thread. So much easier to manipulate. You have opened my world to altering clothing that has a little something I don’t like!! I am really long waisted and I like my tops to be longer. I have four tees that I’m going to work on. I really want them to be about 1 1/2 or 2 inches longer. Thank you so much for your videos!!!!

[@geebee1689]

You are awesome! Your niece is a lucky lady❤

[@valeriecoopet9897]

You are a great auntie!

[@CatherineSews]

Awww, thank you!

[@pennyf9886]

What an adorable niece and I learned some new techniques! Thank you!

[@retroredo9850]

You could do elastic just in the back. Some skirts are made that way! I do that elastic trick in back of a lot of my pants. Im sway backed and now have larger baby tummy which also accents the back being too wide especially when sitting. I wear my tops out but I also stitch at sides so it doesnt seem odd anyway. I actually do it so elastic pops back under the slit then slip stitch the slit back up. No one sees it but I guess Im a bit OCD! 😊

[@lynnelyon3616]

Your niece is so stinkin’ adorable!!! ❤

[@elayned6147]

Beautiful girl. Superb alterations. Being a tailor for my occupation, I would have done the second choice on the skirt. Sometimes the first works, but I would have had to open the waist at the end rather than cut (with strict store standards) great job! Buttonholes look fantastic! 👍👍👍

[@LauraSup]

I love your videos! I have some beautiful clothes but have lost weight and everything looks sloppy! I’m hoping to be able to use some of your techniques to alter some of my things!

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks! Best of luck with your alterations!

[@kristinjacobsen3417]

Great 'show' - these everyday things are very useful to learn.

[@theresaanndiaz3179]

I am having a face palm moment, it never occurred to me to put the "spacer" on top of the button. I have always put it between my button and the garment, it's much easier to deal with doing your way!

[@masuahkokro8957]

You have done it again. I love your videos

[@carolines2088]

Great video! Loved how you didnt give up on the skirt. But i also love the thought of just snipping the inside and inserting an elastic. I have a pair of pants that only have elastic in the back and they are too loose. Been putting it off because i thought i had to undo a seam amd take out the old elastic but i could just do your thing and insert new elastic! Gotta try it! Thank you

[@mmcgrath737]

These were really helpful modifications, thank you.

[@daxxydog5777]

I have an old fashioned diaper pin for threading elastic that I guard jealously since I know the days of getting another one are long gone! There is a possibility that it was one my mom used on me 60 years ago 😂 As many things from that era are, it’s still functional (as am I). I’m going to put buttons on one of my cardigans now….

[@susanbuck1327]

I love that I am not the only one who uses pins that get bent. Great job on the alterations like usual. Your channel is definitely my favorite sewing channel.

[@bambikeegan5554]

Great idea on the skirt waist band. I usually run elastic in the back only, now I have another option for sizing skirts or pants.

[@loridavies4121]

Very inspiring. Feeling more confident to adjust one of my skirts in a similar way. Had hesitated about what to do, and your video was the answer.

[@edward3dofficial]

I enjoy your videos. Your calm demeanor and clear instructions take the fear out of sewing.

[@reneelang5714]

I really enjoy your channel. Your efforts are much appreciated.

[@johnettehaines6291]

That is such a cute skirt

[@kimgolias7480]

I recently put elastic in 4 pairs of shorts based on your previous video. I'll be taking in a really boxy sweatshirt like you did with the sweater. Thanks for your tutorials!

[@karenowens9717]

I really enjoyed this video, soooo much fun. I learn so much from you. ❤

[@pamsheppard7998]

She is precious!

[@CatherineSews]

I agree!

[@talairaki]

WOW!!! Catherine it looks amazing. I mean I know just how nerve-racking it could be sewing for nieces especially when they are as opinionated as mine are... BUT U just ACED it! Good on for u... I loved it ❤❤❤

[@elainelear4982]

Well done. All 3 items look/ fit better.

[@SBL1932]

Your videos are so informative with good information

[@theresakaminski2526]

Loved all the fixes! I would be very interested to see how you would--or if you could--upcycle open front cardigans into pullovers.

[@mtz123ish]

Alterations are sew rewarding!!

[@caragarcia2307]

I did the elastic trick on a pair of jeans. After a couple of times on the washer and dryer the bunching went away. It wasn't a nice pair so I wasn't really worried about it.

[@doudou53d44]

That was a great idea to put buttons on the cardigan ! I am going to try it on a cardigan of mine that has pressure buttons on it. Let's try !!!!

[@jennifersaunders-debruyn1590]

Button thread underneath is the shank.

[@SB_McCollum]

That skirt was a real nail biter!

[@jori7398]

I came back to make sure I hit like 🌷

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks!

[@deedeefitch933]

Great outcomes and adorable niece!

[@jamilehbaadarani4740]

Great job Catherine

[@barbarabeckman6722]

Thanks!

[@CatherineSews]

Thank you so much! Very sweet!

[@jamieomahen2656]

Darling niece! Love the alterations video too!

[@henriettelinkshanderin1449]

Well done!

[@dorothydishman4664]

A beautiful job on a beautiful young lady by a beautiful sewist❤

[@pamsheppard7998]

Story of my life! I’m always “aunting” too with the sewing machine! 😂

[@barbarabeckman6722]

Great fixes!

[@BritInvLvr]

Excellent!

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks, so glad you like it!

[@lisag.6599]

I am saving this video! Thank you.

[@susanjames8210]

❤ your videos!!! You continue to inspire me to sew/alter/upcycle! BTW, your black & red cardigan is GORGEOUS... Is it Norwegian? Dale of Norway?

[@katieduffy593]

The skirt looks incredible now!

[@robintheparttimesewer6798]

Wonderful saves!

[@arvettadelashmit9337]

All three jobs turned out great.

[@joanwillison9922]

Hi. Can you do a video how to convert a pullover sweater into a cardigan please?

[@dhendrickson4820]

What is the best way to iron garments , shirts,pants and seams when sewing..maybe a basic rule of thumb lesson might help a few of us out who feel like we are always at the ironing board😅

[@CatherineSews]

Basically, press as you go. So for me, that means sew, serge, press seam allowances (usually toward the back of the garment) and then top stitch if desired. Do that for each seam before you go on to the next.

[@Kelleykrafts]

Great job!!

[@marionmathews9852]

Just fantastic alterations. Your niece looks amazing…….cute figure.

[@KateShaw2]

Nice!!

[@Maplecook]

Wooooot!

[@47retta]

Everything turned out so beautifully! I didn't know you could steam wool without shrinking it! Also, how many inches did you take out of the skirt? And was the easing distributed equally on the whole waistband or only in the back?

[@CatherineSews]

Thanks! I took an inch out of the waistband and eased in the whole circumference of the waist, front and back equally.

[@Mrs.Patriot]

Catherine, would it have worked if the seam in the waistband was opened without removing it where it connected to the skirt, and sewing it back together more tapered toward the top? In other words, angling it in toward the top of the waistband? Just asking if that would have been a possibility. That is a darn cute skirt and I love the buttons on the cardigan. She's too cute!

[@CatherineSews]

Good thought, but no, I don't think that would have made the waistband sit as smoothly around her waist. I agree that Tristan and her skirt are both super cute!

[@Mrs.Patriot]

@@CatherineSews Thanks! You're the expert! ❤

[@dfarias1953]

I really enjoy all your videos! Is there a possibility of having a video about removing a dart from a top pattern. I had a double mastectomy and am limited to tops without darts since I don’t understand how to remove a dart. Thanks!

[@judih.8754]

Catherine, does your machine have a setting for Buttonholes? Or could that special foot be used on an older machine with just a zigzag stitch? Thank you. I love the simplicity of these projects.

[@jseidel70js]

Next teach her your ways, lol

[@susanjohnson3973]

💖💖💖💖💖🌹❤🌹

[@ArabianShalifa]

My machine has that type of button whole marker. I had this machine for at least 20 years. It never has worked for me. My old Singer had a button whole maker cam attachment and worked wonderfully. Any suggestions what I could do to make it work?

[@udhe4421]

At 16:35 u point with ur pinky finger. When i point w my pinky finger, even a short while, it hurts so bad.😂 u have to start pointing w ur point finger‼

[@MariaMartinez-xm4fl]

🕊️🤍💙