Not only do I usually alter patterns, but I often alter bought items as well.
The latest is a softshell coat. I couldn't be bothered to make one, so bought one that I quite like, but they have tried to put so much detail into it that, as it's thick softshell, it's just ridiculously bulky in places. It has a false front inner section with zip as well as an outer zip with placket over.
The first bit to get rid of was the inside zipped chest pocket - who wants a pocket on their boobs? At one seam, there were five layers of the thick fabric, so out came the pocket and the pocket welt, leaving an uncovered zip to nowhere - now much less bulk there!
The next bit to go has been the false inner front - it had a collar as well as the main coat collar - how many layers that wouldn't fold down?? Much better without it now, and I just need to sew a little bit of the grosgrain ribbon off the inner (removed) section along the neck seam to tidy it up.
Next may be a look at the hip pockets - yup, lots of layers. I may remove the pocket bags and put in some from a thinner fabric, but not sure yet.
I will get this coat to be more wearable!
BTW, in case you wonder why I bought it, I ordered four different ones, and this one was the only one that was anywhere near to fitting that I liked.
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