Tailor Alterations and Fitting 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the first step when fitting a customer for a suit alteration?
- Take key measurements and assess the fit while the garment is on the body (Correct answer)
- Mark all alteration points with chalk
- Remove the garment's lining to check seam allowances
- Press the garment to remove wrinkles before evaluation
Correct answer: Take key measurements and assess the fit while the garment is on the body
Observing how the garment fits on the live body while taking measurements is the essential starting point for alterations.
Question 2: What does a diagonal drag line from the shoulder to the chest indicate on a jacket?
- The jacket back is too narrow across the shoulders (Correct answer)
- The sleeves are too long
- The back waist seam is too tight
- The front darts are incorrectly placed
Correct answer: The jacket back is too narrow across the shoulders
Diagonal drag lines from the shoulder toward the chest typically indicate the back is too narrow, pulling the fabric forward.
Question 3: How much seam allowance is typically required to let out a trouser seat seam?
- At least 1 inch on each seam (Correct answer)
- At least 3 inches on each seam
- Exactly 0.5 inches on each seam
- The original factory seam allowance only
Correct answer: At least 1 inch on each seam
A minimum of 1 inch on each side of the seat seam is needed to safely let out fabric without weakening the seam.
Question 4: What alteration corrects a jacket collar that stands away from the shirt collar at the back?
- Removing the collar and adjusting the back neck seam (Correct answer)
- Taking in the center back seam
- Shortening the jacket sleeves
- Adding shoulder pads
Correct answer: Removing the collar and adjusting the back neck seam
A collar that gaps at the back neck requires the collar to be removed and the back neck seam to be reshaped.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a 'toile' in fitting?
- A test garment made in inexpensive fabric to check fit before cutting the final cloth (Correct answer)
- A type of French silk used in couture linings
- A pressing cloth used to protect delicate fabrics
- A pattern-making grid for scaling designs
Correct answer: A test garment made in inexpensive fabric to check fit before cutting the final cloth
A toile (or muslin) is a mock-up garment used to test pattern fit and make corrections before cutting expensive fabric.
Question 6: Which measurement is most important when hemming trousers for a client?
- The desired finished length with the client wearing their intended shoes (Correct answer)
- The client's inseam measurement from a measurement chart
- The length of the original hem before alteration
- The distance from the floor to the trouser break
Correct answer: The desired finished length with the client wearing their intended shoes
The hem must be marked with the client wearing the shoes they plan to use so the correct break and length are achieved.
Tailor Alterations and Fitting 1
What is the first step when fitting a customer for a suit alteration?