Altering clothes
 

I just had to hem a pair of my jeans. They were WAY too big :carrot:, and really drooping. So, I cut off the bottom 2 inches (all frayed and gross) and hemmed them up another 2. I had planned on taking in the hips and waist tomorrow.

OH BOY NO! I managed to shatter two needles while hemming them. Then, I hemmed them about a half an inch too short (after I measured three or four times).

At least they weren't my "nice" jeans...I think I'll be fedexing those to my aunt to take in. :dizzy:

Anyone else do their own alterations?

i do my own fix ups :D so if things have holes in them, i'll sew them back together. my jeans probably have more thread than jeans now :D I havent tried hemming my own jeans, usually i just do a temporary "oh god ive got nothing to wear i'll take up these jeans and wear these, that'll do!" job, and then take them to someone who knows what theyre doing

Did you use a denim needle when you did the hemming? If not, that could have been the reason you broke so many needles. :D

I do alterations, and sew some of my own clothes and costumes.

Sorry to hear it did not turn out as expected.
I never hem my jeans because I find it hard to find jeans that are long enough. :D
I used to sew all my clothes (including heavy pieces like long winter coats) when I was in my twenties and thirties but I don't do it any more. I am too busy with other stuff but if I had to, I could alter anything. But, quite frankly, alternations are a lot of work (e.g. if it is a lined jacket or something like that). These days, I prefer to buy something that fits me as is.

You do need to use a denim needle or at least a needle for thick fabrics.

2 cents
 

You might also want to lubricate the needle and sew slooowly. :D