Doing Alterations for Others - Yea or Nay?

Like many home sewers, I'm not into altering other people's clothes.  Heck, I don't even like to alter my own!  (Though, ironically, that's the original reason I bought a sewing machine in 2009 -- to shorten some thrift store jeans -- and look what happened.)

I find it much harder to alter ready-to-wear than just make something from scratch and I hate taking things apart when I'm not really sure how they were put together in the first place.

Well, lo and behold, I find myself needing to alter something for somebody.  Our friend Stephanie, who happens to be directing Michael's show, asked if I wouldn't mind taking in a skirt for her, and, since I'm extremely fond of Stephanie, I said yes.

 
Stephanie, who is an amazing dancer/singer/actress, is also an extremely generous person.  She was in Legally Blonde: The Musical on Broadway a few years back, and we got to see the show twice and get a backstage tour.  There I was, front and center on the Palace stage, just like Judy had been -- albeit in an empty theater.

It felt so right....  But I digress.

It's a very simple gathered skirt with a wide waistband and a back zipper.  It's from Zara, and is made of this really cool fabric that looks like a photograph of flowers, all done in acid tones.   Her mother got it for her when she came to visit and Stephanie hasn't been able to wear it because she has a 26" waist and the skirt is a 28-29" (it has a little stretch in it).  Cute, no?







I thought I'd just open up the back, cut off an inch on either side, and then close it back up, most likely adding a new zipper.   There are also two mirror-image side seams, but the skirt has pockets, and I didn't want to have to fiddle with those.



What do you think, readers?  I'm going to have to open up the waistband, right?  I mean, I can't rightly slice out 2" of width -- and the zipper -- with the waistband finished, could I?  I fear that would look crappy.





I do think this will be an interesting little project that shouldn't take more than a few hours tops and you know how poor most performers are these days.  I don't think I'll end up hating Stephanie and/or the skirt.  But I certainly don't want to set a potentially dangerous precedent.  I'm not a tailor, plus I've already had enough headaches lately making things for other people, as you well know.

Also, do you think this skirt is too spring-like for fall?  Stephanie wasn't sure and I'm on the fence.  Does it read flowers at first glance or does it look more abstract?

Look at how cheaply this skirt is hemmed -- they use some kind of fishing wire-type filament to do it.   I've seen that in pants from H&M.



Anyway, that's today's chore (one of a few).

In closing, friends, I must ask:  Do you do alterations for others?  Do you resent being asked?  Are you able to stand up for yourself and say, Bring that to your tailor and don't waste my time! -- though not necessarily in those words?

Will you take on these kinds of tasks, but only for money? 

I know some people get asked to do this all the time (for free) but I rarely have.  What's the kindest way to say fuggitaboutit!?

Doing alterations for others -- yea or nay?

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