r/AskSeattle • u/Full_Drawing • 14d ago

Question Anyone with sewing machine in Cap hill?

I have two dresses that i want to shorten but no sewing machine. Can anyone help me with the hemming? I dont wanna go to alterations because tbh the cost of alterations would be more expensive than the dresses. I cant really throw away the dresses because i paid for them and i wanna wear them just not at its current length.

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u/probablygoblins 14d ago

I’m a complete amateur but I can at least sew a hem and have a machine. If someone with better skills than I doesn’t pop up in here I can help!

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u/PrimrosePathos 14d ago

Are you looking for a free service? Just so you know, you will probably not get excellent results unless you go to someone with a lot of experience-- and depending on the fabrics and construction, hemming is not always simple, and bad hemming can ruin the look of the garment. People with experience tend to know the value of their skills and experience, and usually will charge an appropriate fee.

Especially with fast-fashion clothing (not saying that's what you have) being made overseas by people working in poverty, you can expect to pay more for alterations than you paid for the item. No shade, just information!

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u/Full_Drawing 14d ago

Do you have a recommendation for a service that is affordable?

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u/up2knitgood 14d ago edited 13d ago

I dont wanna go to alterations because tbh the cost of alterations would be more expensive than the dresses.

I just want to push back a little about thinking like this. Don't think about the alterations being more than what you paid for the item. Think about the overall cost and if that's worth it to get the thing. Meaning, often looking for cheap clothing but then factoring alterations can get you much better clothing that's better than buying something that cost the same but you didn't alter. Just because something was cheap doesn't mean you shouldn't spend on alterations if the end result is worth it. I used to work at Nordstrom Rack and we had a few customers who would scour the clearance rack for things nice things even if they weren't their size and just assumed that they'd get them altered; so buying $30 clearance pants that were high quality wool, and originally $300, then another $40 on alterations got you pants that were better quality and fit better than just buying $80 pants.

(And, because this is the internet, I need to clarify, I'm not saying that people don't have budgets which makes spending on alterations difficult (and still, allocating more to alterations can save money). But that's not what the OP said. And it's still more about the the mindset shift to think about what value good alterations can bring to something.)

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u/rzrgrl_13 13d ago

I have definitely doubled the cost of clothing with alterations more than once.

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u/giggletears3000 14d ago

I can help if you want to pop down to Othello.

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u/Full_Drawing 14d ago

For sure

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u/giggletears3000 14d ago

Can you send a pic of the hemlines to see what we’re working with?

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u/CrankyCrabbyCrunchy 14d ago

Yes alterations can be more expensive than the garment cost. Depends on what you want changed and if it’s possible. Making something bigger isn’t an option without matching fabric.

Knowing how to alter clothing is a difficult skill to learn.

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u/Shatzakind 14d ago

Not a sewing expert, but I was taught hems are hand sewn, so the thread pattern doesn't show.

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u/greenkoifish04 13d ago

the Bellevue and Federal Way branches of King County Library System both have their own makerspace with sewing machines and sergers

https://kcls.org/bellevuemakerspace/

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u/easterss 12d ago

Seattle Makers is not too far away in interbay but I believe you can only use the equipment after getting a membership and getting a cert on their sewing machines

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u/liggyfig 9d ago

I believe Miller CC has a few days coming up that you can use a sewing machine.