Altering a Garment During the Year of Mourning
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Question
Is it permissible for a woman in the year of mourning for her deceased father to send a garment to a seamstress to have it taken apart and resewn in a different style?
Answer
It is permitted, as this is not considered a new garment.
Source
Eshle Avraham (Butchatch) Siman 223 regarding the blessing of 'Shehecheyanu': "On an old garment that has been altered in a different style, one does not need to recite 'Shehecheyanu', as the blessing is only established for the purchase of a new garment or item. Even if the sewing style makes it appear as new, and a significant amount is paid for the sewing, it is still not considered a new acquisition. Even if new pieces of fabric are added during sewing, it seems that as long as the majority of the garment is old, one should not recite 'Shehecheyanu' on pieces that are secondary to the garment. Even if these pieces could have been made into a small significant garment on their own, since they are added to an old garment and are secondary, one should not recite either 'Shehecheyanu' or 'Malbish Arumim'. Perhaps, if before sewing and adding the new pieces, the old garment was not fit for wearing at all, even temporarily, and through the new pieces and sewing, it became a significant garment, one should recite 'Shehecheyanu' and 'Malbish Arumim', especially if from the new pieces alone a significant garment similar to what is worn in a certain style could be made, and this requires careful consideration.
And it seems the same applies to wearing a renewed garment during the twelve months of mourning. In 'Emek Beracha', it is written that it is forbidden.