Wednesday, November 26, 2008

A VISIT TO THE LITTLE MICE

There are many small sartorie [tailor's or clothing repair shops] here and I have written before that I like to imagine the staff happily working away at their meticulous stitching, like the mice in The Tailor of Gloucesster.

A friend gave me a lift to one of these establishments today as I just had to do something about my clothes, having lost so much weight since becoming unwell. I have been sartorially lost without being able to wear my black trouser suits! Last night I took a deep breath and bundled nearly all of my winter clothes into carrier bags so that the "mice" could tell me what could be reasonably altered and what could not. [I didn't want to frighten Rosa by giving her the whole lot to deal with. Besides, even I know that jackets are hellishly complicated to adjust.]

Now, I have never been any good at standing still to be "pinned and fitted" at the best of times but it is much more difficult with my current balance problems. However, the "mice" ladies were very kind, letting me hold on to the arm of one of them whilst the other tugged, tucked and pinned.

Business is good in the little shop and the variety of garments being brought in by customers of all shapes and sizes proved that very few women are of stock size; yet we all continue to beat ourselves up over this!

It turned out that all the items I had taken there can be altered and the cost for the taking in and shortening of 5 pairs of trousers plus a pair of jeans, 5 jackets and a dress will be around €220. I figure that you can't go out and buy yourself a whole new wardrobe for that price so it is worth it. You cannot sell your non-fitting clothes to a "nearly new" shop as you can in Britain - not that you get much for them and I long ago decided I'd rather give them to the Oxfam shop - but there are no charity shops here either, such is the disdain for second-hand goods, apart from precious antiques.

Incidentally the "little mice" were very elegantly dressed and have on display some soft, flowing garments which they have made themselves. I am going to take a closer look at these next time I visit.

9 comments:

James Higham said...

Hope the health improves steadily.

Liz Hinds said...

They sound marvellous mice! How lovely to be taking clothes in! I mean rather than out not as in taking clothes in to mend.

CherryPie said...

This post does so remind me of the Taylor of Gloucester. A very magical book :-)

Dragonstar said...

That wouldn't work here. If you don't like something, or it doesn't fit, just bin it! This country has become too affluent too suddenly, and the waste is horrendous.
I'm full of admiration for people who can alter clothing. It's certainly not one of my skills!

Trubes said...

Crikey Welshcakes:
I wish I could lose some weight,The steroids have made me gain loads, there isn't enough room to let my clothes out so I shall just have to wait until I'm weaned off the steroids or wear bin bags!
Glad you're getting out and about a bit...keep on improving.

I've posted a little yarn on my site which I've dedcated to you...hope you enjoy it xx
DI.x
love to Simi too.xx

Whispering Walls said...

Bravo WL. I do hope you feel better soon.

Nunyaa said...

Think your idea of "recycling"the clothes is a great idea, now to find ways to make existing clothes fit expanding behinds :)

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Thank you, James. Hi, Liz. Yes, it makes a change. Ciao, cherrypie. That's my favourite of the Potter books. Hi, dragonstar. I could never find anyone to do alterations in Britain and I can't sew to save my life! Thanka, Trubes. I'll be right over there. Many thanks, WW. Hi, nunyaa. I'm no stranger to that problem!

jmb said...

I wish I was taking my clothes in to be taken in too, but of course the reason for you is not so good.

I know how difficult it is to alter things and hate doing it so I think it will be worth every penny to you Welshcakes.

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