Alterations

In my opinion, a girdle fits best on a man only after it has been properly altered. Of course, alterations increase the total cost of a girdle, but, in most cases, the expense is worth the increase in comfort.

Where or how to get your girdle altered:

  • Mail order
  • Your wife
  • Your mom
  • Your sister
  • Your local clothing shop's seamstress or tailor
  • Your local dry cleaner's seamstress or tailor
  • Your local lingerie shop's seamstress or tailor
  • Do it yourself

Mail Order Alterations

Mail order alterations can be challenging and frustrating as you try to communicate your wishes to the remote seamstress. The best way to get your garments altered by mail order is to provide the seamstress with as much information as possible. Here are a few tips (and it doesn't hurt to do them ALL ):

  • If you are taking the garment in (making it smaller), mark your garment with a water soluble marker at the point(s) that the girdle is to be taken in. Frishman's seamstress requests that you make your marks INSIDE the girdle. See Take In the Waist section.
  • On paper, draw a picture of what you want done.
  • On paper, describe in words exactly what you want done and what you would like to accomplish.
  • If you are sending in more than one girdle, pin your instructions to each girdle.
  • Optional. Telephone the seamstress and describe what you want done.
  • Launder your garments before shipment

Doing it yourself

Altering a girdle yourself is not as difficult as one might think. All you need are basic sewing skills, patience, and a sewing machine that can do zig-zag stitches (almost all girdle alterations use a zigzag stitch). You do not need to be an expert seamstress, and your sewing machine does not need to be a professional model.

Unless explicitly pointed out, ALL alterations discussed at this site will use the zigzag stitch.

Hint: If you will be doing the alterations yourself, it's a good idea to select a bobbin thread color different than the color of the girdle so that removal is facilitated if you make a mistake. This tip thanks to Bill E. at the Forum.

Elastic can be purchased at most cloth stores, however, the following merchants can also supply your needs:

http://store.corsetmaking.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=CMS - the best place found so far that will supply you with small quantities.

http://www.corsetsupplies.com/ - Good selection of elastic but not shown at their web site. Best to call and order what you need. There is a $5 fee if order is less than $50.

http://www.steinlaufandstoller.com/ - I have no experience with these folks.

http://www.sundroptextiles.com/notions/elastic.htm - Has gripper elastic, but nothing wide.