An unusual suit alteration

[Nick D]

I went with my wife to the vintage clothing fair at Leeds town hall yesterday. We found several nice things for her, and I found a few fantastics suits, none of which fit, but it was fun to look and we had a great time.

Around mid-day, I did find a suit that fit. It was an excellent tweed 3-piece, and I was exstatic. It looked like it had barely ever been worn, the only problem I saw at first was that it was split from waistband to crotch in the rear, the seller said there had been an insert which she removed, but this didn't bother me as I'm handy with needle and thread. The jacket had no vents, high armholes, and fit perfectly, the 4-pocket waistcoat fit like a glove, trousers had a button fly and buttons for braces, and would fit me if sewn up.

The problem? The trousers had a 24" inseam. The hem was rather unprofessionally done, and even if I had let them out as much as possible they wouldn't have been long enough (I've got a 30" inseam). Perhaps someone screwed up the hem job, which would explain the otherwise pristene condition of the suit, I don't know.

I was dissapointed, it was exactly what I was looking for, but there's another fair in September, better luck next time if I don't find a nice 3 piece before then.

 

[reetpleat]

Sounds like you might be out of luck. If you let the hem down completely, is it still too short. But there is one posibility. If it is a tweed, you might be able to find something of matching fabric. If so, then you can make a cuff out of it.

The other thing would be to use the fabric from the vest, but that would be a bad idea. If it is vintage enough, maybe better sell it and buy something else. Otherwise, I am not sure what you could do.

Or, if it is the right style, you could maybe make knickers of it. It would work well with a tweed suit.

I wouldn't wear that, but plenty would.

 

[dakotanorth]

Alteration, or repair?

I'm betting the original pants had a big tear/rip in the seat area. Someone decided to be clever, cut off some fabric at the bottom, then use this material to patch in a piece along the centerline of the seat.
True the suit was in excellent condition (excluding this error) so maybe it was tried, but the owner said "God it looks terrible" and never wore it?
In all the years I've bought, sold, traded, and worn vintage, it still fascinates me to see HOW people decide to repair damage. I'm still waiting for duct tape and staples.