Ask Angie: How to choose and alter clothes for a sway back.

ManidipaM

Angie, until Girl X's question here: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....osition-11, I did not realize you had a sway back!

Now that I know I share a modifer with you, I want tips! What sort of garments are easier to fit, what should I look out for in terms of better/poor fit, and how to make alterations (what's even feasible or worth risking, without ruining said garment)?

Thank you for the help! (You're so generous with your time on this blog and forum. Really appreciate it.)

12 years ago

Body Type

6 replies

Latest reply was from mrseccentric

anne

Veteran

I didn't know this about Angie either and am eager to hear her answers. I also have a swayback. My most common alteration is to put in or increase the darts on the back of garments, as I'll often have a garment that looks like it fits from the back but looks loose from the back

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I don't need to alter trousers/skirts/dresses, but half the time I need to alter my jeans. I have the waistband taken in at the back only - don't touch the front. It's such an easy alteration!

As for the rest, there doesn't seem to be a fit challenge. I guess my sway back is very slight.

12 years ago

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

Hi ladies. My stepsister has a very big swayback - her waist just disappears to nothing in the back! I made her bridesmaid dress when our parents married (awwww....). It was a princess-seamed dress and the alteration was a breeze - just pin out any excess along the princess seaming in the back, and leave the front alone. Depending on your figure, you may need to take a little in on side seams.

As far as garments that would be easily altered. Anything with princess seams would be ideal (coats, dresses, tunics). Any garment with a center seam and two darts on the back on either side of CB would also be a good candidate. In fact, those darts can be added if they don't exist and the garment is unadorned in the back. Darts or pleats that release into vents would also work well. Just buy so the garment fits at front waist, hips, and rise - with just bagginess at the back above the bum.

Any garment with fussy details around the waist in back, like a sewn in belt, would be a pain to impossible to alter. (like the back of this jacket:
http://www.hotpatterns.com/hp-.....ay-jacket/ )

This coat, on the other hand, has a belt applied on top of princess seams, so it would be quite easy to alter:
http://www.hotpatterns.com/pro.....-Coat.html

HTH!!! steph

12 years ago

Vix

Veteran

Hi Manidipa --

Not a sewist but always interested in alterations/fit stuff...as I am short-waisted I often have extra fabric in the back and need it adjusted horizontally.

I find Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing has lots of great info -- often with visuals -- re adjusting for swayback. [Sometimes in her posts and other times in comment discussions.]

It might be a fun way to spend some time and help you visualize MrsE's great tips above. Google and/or her search feature should get you there.

Here's one re swayback and coat fit (that also touches on the "could it be a short-waisted issue instead?" issue). I'd make sure to check out the comments!

http://www.blogforbettersewing.....s-and.html

12 years ago

ManidipaM

Veteran

Steph (Mrs E) thank you so much for that practical rundown! Really, really, really helps.

For the last several years here in India, we've been seeing a truckload of garments with waist ties at the back and a smooth front. I wonder if more of us are swaybacked by some genetic quirk!

(Erm. Sorry so stupid... but what is 'HTH'?)

Vix: Thank you too for the link. You guys are so helpful!

12 years ago

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

heehee - Hope This Helps!

i'm glad you found this useful - simple alterations can make SUCH a difference, once you just know about them. Have a great day! steph

12 years ago

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