Custom Fits in Chiang Mai

[KLin]

Hi Everyone,

 

Does anyone else have this problem? I am 6’0 and weigh 150 lbs. Shirts are not sized properly for me. A medium T Shirt is too short, but a large t shirt is too bulk and makes me look like a coat hanger. Shorts give me what I call the “lampshade effect,” meaning that the leg hole of the shorts are too big for my skinny leg. AND I can never never never find tank tops that fit me well.

 

So, I have decided to take matters into my own hands.

 

Living in Chiang Mai, Thailand, I figured I would have access to some low cost seamstresses. This gave me the idea to try making my own t shirts. As it turns out, it was more difficult than I thought it would be. There were too problems:

 

1. Finding fabric was nearly impossible. I only needed 1-2 kgs to get some samples underway, but no place would sell it to me. The only thing available to me was 22 kg rolls. Perhaps someone can tell me how to order less in Thailand?

2. Problem two was getting a pattern made.

 

I ended up finding a guy who could make me a t shirt pattern based on a t shirt I owned. He made me 10 samples out of his spare fabric for $100. None of them fit.

 

So, I decided to move onto tank tops. I heard about a vocational school that teaches sewing, so I went over and took a look. When I got there there were many students all in their 50s and 60s. Luckingly most of them spoke very good english. I convinced one of them to make the tank tops. With the help of her teacher we made a pattern. After a couple of tris, we got one that fit me perfectly and since have made several colors. Before this, I had never been able to find a tank top that fit. They were always too tight or bulky and made me look funny.

 

The last thing that I have started doing that has made the most difference is to start having my shorts altered. I’ll include some pics. Like I mentioned, I get what I call the “lampshade effect.” Basically the legholse are too big. It has been very easy to work with a seamstress to alter the hole to be smaller. I’m very happy with this, and now have about 10 pairs of shorts altered that I bought from Uniqlo.

 

I’ll include some pics below. Feedback and comments welcome! I want to start making all kinds of custom fit clothing for myself in the future!

[taotoo]

"So, I decided to move onto tank tops. I heard about a vocational school that teaches sewing, "

 

Love it!

[ramrod711]

My sympathies for your early trials. When I arrived I was unable to find clothing at retail outlets. I also tried tailors and presented them with shirts that did fit. One tailor made me 4 shirts and every one of them fit differently. I started taking empty suitcases with me when I return to my home country. I buy shirts, socks, quality sandals etc. and bring them back. Been here for 12 years now, the one item that I don't have any problem with is shorts, they fit me fine. Happy to hear that you were able to get what you wanted at the school, my wife is one of the students.