Mens Hardy Amies Suit - What would you do?

jauntyrooster

jauntyrooster

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Have this lovely mens Hardy Amies suit. Pics don't do it justice - it is really beautiful. The issue that it appears that someone altered the vest to make it quite a bit larger. They added this horrible piece of fabric - it is really awful and the sewing job is also terrible. Additionally, it makes the vest measurements larger than the jacket. I am pondering taking out the piece and having vest resewn back to its original (or close to original measurements). Before I start, I wanted to get some opinions...bad idea? good idea?

I just think it could be a hard sell if left as is...thoughts?

PS - I know I tie a terrible tie. Going to attempt to learn the windsor and half windsor - you know, just for fun! :)

Thanks all!
Maureen

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I would change it back to its original size. It is not a difficult job, but it is tedious and time consuming.

Marian
 
Thanks Marian. I should have mentioned that I don't know a thing about sewing - was kind of the heart of my question. You gave me just the info I needed.

My mother in law requested a new sewing machine for Christmas (and go it) and is telling me she knows how to sew. I have never seen her do it in 16 years. Am going to give her a few easy hems and buttons and if all goes well, maybe see about this. Seems hardest part - from looking at the mess that is here - is sewing a straight line! :booze:
 
I would make the alteration too - or depending on what these suits go for where you are, you could price it as a two piece and the waistcoat is a freebie for someone to fix themselves.

There's a lot more demand for three pieces though, so I would fix it.

Nicole
 
Just finished taking it apart - tedious and time consuming was correct. It looked like I sewed it by hand. I tend to just put in tons of stitches over and over since I have no clue what I am doing. I only perform this task in extreme emergencies! :)

Nicole - Lately I have been doing quite well with 3 piece suits provided they have a good label - Cardin, Hardy Amies, Brooks Brothers, etc. Have even found a couple nice Givenchys and a Lanvin that disappeared quickly. Finding an intact 3 piece suit with a good label is no small feat though...heck sometimes finding a two piece suit is difficult. I actually really enjoy shopping for mens suits...don't know why. Maybe it seems easier to find a treasure and often they are easier to date for me (who doesn't love a completed tailors tag right?) I don't get rich from them but I do pretty well so worth the time.

Thank you both for input - I greatly appreciate. Seems it should be easy to fix now that I have done the time-consuming part. Can't think it will be too expensive and should take all of 20 minutes tops with a machine.
 
I am a little late here - but I will point out that men's vintage suit buyers are very likely to take it to their tailor even if they are buying the correct size to get that custom fit and some alterations in found sits are not the kiss of death so long as no material is missing. Just make sure that you disclose that you restored it in case the stitching style does not match. And don't stitch it so the taking in is not too overzealous.

PS: its always handy to find clip on and pre tied ties to use as accessories unless you are crossmarketing and selling the tie in another listing. No one will know that you are faking it.
 
I always restore this type addition as it's unsightly and make an ugly photo. The ripping out the old stitches is always the most tedious part.

If you pick apart a bit of the hem to each side of the center back, she should be able to sew up the exterior center back seam and the lining center back seam separately, then slip stitch the neck edges and hem edges together by hand in an unobtrusive manner.

Hollis
 
Hollis - THANK YOU! I will pass along your suggestion to my MIL - she was actually looking for my input as to how I wanted it fixed. I just stared at her with blank eyes. Need a sewing class.

Patent - That is a good idea. My brother was quite the snappy dresser and always railed against clip on ties so I guess I shied away from them and it never crossed my mind. It is a brilliant idea for photos. I can stop struggling and only getting a half-baked tied. Perfect!!!

Thanks again to everyone.
 
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