I haven't bought new clothes in over two years and I'm ready for a change. I don't wear pants with creases 'cause the creases don't stay where they're supposed to . Also, all my work clothes are loose because I don't want to risk anything splitting while I'm at work but I want to go a little tighter because I've started looking in the mirror recently and baggy just ain't gettin it.

I wear pants with elastic waistbands and shell tops. Since I'm going to start losing weight again I want to find me a reasonably priced good seamstress (a problem since I am an admitted tightwad) to make me some clothes.

What would be some good clothing options/styles that I can have taken in easily as my body shrinks? I LOVE long skirts that caress my ankles when I walk. If I get some of those with elastic waistbands, would that be easy to take in when needed. What about blouses, are there any styles that are easy to take in?

Right now my work pants are either 26/28 or 30/32 and my blouses are 30/32. 26/28 blouses will not fit me across my shoulders.

Thanks for your help.

You can usually find a used sewing machine, cheap at garage sales, household auctions, etc. Why not get one and experiment?

You might be able to find a fabric store that gives sewing lessons too. Or, depending on where you live, try your local extension service, quilting clubs might have someone willing to teach you or do the work. Some dry cleaners will alter as well.
I sew and find it rather relaxing, and when I can't find exactly what I'm looking for, I'll make it.

As far as the type of clothes, elastic waist pants and skirts aren't to tough to take up. T-shirt material can be a booger to get right. For blouses, cotton is the easiest to take up, stay away from too many ruffles, fancy cuffs, embellishments, ties, ribbons, bows, etc. They get in the way of the seams. If you have to rip out a bunch of that stuff too, it's a real pain in the bum to get it all back together so it looks right.

Elastic waist skirts would be the easiest to adjust. I sew all my clothing and used elastic waist skirts when my body was doing major changes. For me, making adjustments to blouses was not worth it- too much work, it was easier to sew new ones.

As Janelle mentioned, making basic skirts are good projects for beginners. Blouses can be more complicated so maybe hire someone for those. I stick with very basic patterns so even beginners can be taught to sew the way I do:-)

Hope that helps.

I put bungee cord in my waist bands. That way I can adjust day to day. I don't buy the stuff they sell at my fabric store though, I buy from an outdoor store. In St. Pete, I got it at the place where they make sails for boats, and here I get it from Mountain Equipment. The outdoor version is tougher, and doesn't get sprung. I sew a button hole on the inside of the front center waist, that way the toggle is on the inside of my pants where it won't show.

With elastic waist skirts you could even just do this by hand - open a small spot on the inside of the skirt where the elastic is in the waist - there are usually side seams in the casing that can be opened quite easily. Then just pull on the elastic.. pin it together and try it on to be sure it feels right. Then just hand sew the elastic together at that spot with regular needle and thread & trim off the excess. If it were me, I wouldn't even bother sewing the casing on the inside closed again because with losing weight it won't be long before you might have to take it in again. Should be both cheap & easy!

I agree- blouses and jackets aren't worth the time and effort to alter much. It isn't just a matter of taking them in, you have to totally re-make them so that the shoulders fit and darts are in the right place.

Why not try some second hand stores for these items?

Elastic waist skirts are definitely easy to take in. Elastic waist pants aren't too bad, but pants with pockets and waistbands are harder.

Thank you ladies.

Acutally I have a sewing machine that my father and brother bought for me when I was in high school decades ago. Trust me, it hasn't been used much. I took home ec in high school and made a couple of dress that I was willing to wear in public. I made a blouse that I would only use as a sleep shirt because the collar was soooooo thick and crooked. One summer I made five skirts whose waistbands weren't too bad but I hate doing hems so I never finished them. I remember looking for the skirts after a few moves and never could find them. I'm planning to try sewing again but don't think I'll be capable enough any time soon to make clothes for work.

I was thinking about the blouses on my way to work this morning and came to the same conclusions as y'all did - it will be easier just to buy new ones as I shrink.

I just bought a house and one of the bedrooms has been designated as my craft room/home gym. I'll be working on finishing my upacking this weekend and getting started on setting that room up. My sewing machine has never been cleaned (but then again it hasn't been used much either) so I'll be putting it in the shop for that and to fix the broken spool holder. The cabinet needs to be refinished and the thingie where the machine actually rests when the cabinet is closed needs to be fixed - I think I have someone who can do that for me.

One day of this long weekend will be spent shopping for house stuff but I think I'll spend some time looking at patterns too.

Thanks again.