It’s actually pretty simple to change a suit if you understand the basics. The first thing you should know is that you can only alter a garment’s seams. There are two types of seams: “let-out” (made larger) and “taken-in” (made smaller). Stanlion is a global leader in the creation, styling, and design of high-end lifestyle suits. Suit Alterations Texas at Stanlion has steadily built our brand and unique image via a growing range of products, styles, and designs.

What is “Taking-in” and “Letting Out” in a Suit Alteration

“Taking-in” refers to shrinking the garment. To achieve this, unstitch the seam and then sew it again farther within the garment, away from the fabric’s edge. In order to properly accommodate the required modification, the connecting pattern pieces must be reshaped and the garment’s proportions must be balanced. For instance, eliminating the sleeves and lining, recutting the front and back panels, and perhaps altering the armholes (and thus re-cutting the sleeves) could all be necessary if the shoulder or chest need work. Hours of deft manual labor may be required for this.

“Letting out” refers to the garment becoming larger. This is accomplished by un-sewing the seam and then re-sewing it toward the fabric’s edge. The issue is that you can only let out a portion of the clothing if there is extra fabric underneath the seam. Usually, there is enough fabric included in the construction to accommodate more substantial modifications if necessary. In certain situations, this occurs during the first fittings; in other situations, the extra cloth isn’t utilized until years later, as the client’s body changes and ages.