Going from a size 16 to a 14 is one thing, but going from a 16 to a 12 is quite another. Just one size change can be altered — usually just in the side seams on most garments, and with pants, maybe just in the center back seam.

Perhaps you got rid of that tummy, and yes that can also be taken care of in the garment seams. Here it will probably be necessary to remove the waistband on skirts and pants and raise the pants in the front and also in the back to raise the crotch as it will also have dropped. Be careful — a half-inch will do a lot here.

Some dresses may now be unwearable, but could be worn as tunics over pants. Simply open the side seam to the waist and shorten to fingertip length.

D.N. has this little tip. “Remember so well when I learned to patch, first I’d baste the patch piece in place, then afterward take out my basting stitches, then I found I could fuse the piece in place with a bit of Stitch Witchery, with no basting to remove, after all these years I still do it,

Just thought that time saver was worth passing on.”

Yes it certainly is and thanks for sharing it with us

— Aunt Norie, P.O. Box 265, Tonganoxie 66086; auntnorie@bdc.net