https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 18 Apr 2026 11:20:52 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment/page/2#post-1318208 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 22:45:49 +0000 DonnaF 1318208@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I bought a jeans jacket at Goodwill that I instantly regretted buying.&nbsp; I should never let DH and a stranger talk me into buying something that is not returnable.&nbsp; The fading pattern was. . .weird.&nbsp; I took sandpaper to the darker parts, so although it still isn't ideal, it is good enough for me to consider wearing it.&nbsp; Although I hand sanded, I still ended up with a couple of holes which I guess is okay in this day and age of distressing.&nbsp; I think sanding works best with all cotton or 99% cotton and less spandex/elastane. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment/page/2#post-1317596 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 08:54:05 +0000 Melaine 1317596@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>On the weekend my hubby took a couple of my handbags and used a pair of plyers to fix zippers that were off the track! There are youtube videos on this....I had no idea! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment/page/2#post-1317536 Tue, 29 Jul 2014 04:23:38 +0000 Rosy 1317536@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As I have lost a fair amount of weight lately I have lots of pants with too large waists. I insert elastic at the back waistband which is covered usually and I also have some buttons which are 2 piece push together, like jeans buttons, but can be removed and reapplied. These are good as in between fixes before I resort to buying smaller sizes. I keep thinking I will buy new stuff and then slowly go back to looking like a pudding! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment/page/2#post-1315680 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 23:30:24 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 1315680@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Can someone post the link about the fishing line to weigh down a hem? &nbsp; I wish I had known about that trick before I gave away a Top Shop skirt with a wiggly hem! &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment/page/2#post-1315676 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 23:25:37 +0000 Caro in Oz 1315676@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great ideas here - I forgot about changing buttons etc. I always change the cheap plastic buttons on shirts&nbsp;for shell ones - it makes such a difference.</p> <p>rabbit I dyed these particular&nbsp;clothes an&nbsp;olive green, it's a neutral for me &amp; works with denim, beige &amp; the greys that I wear in summer :)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment/page/2#post-1315649 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 22:25:32 +0000 glamourpuss 1315649@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've done lots of the same things others have...<br />- changed buttons<br />- narrowed legs on pants<br />- cut off pants to make clams<br />- removed embellishments<br />- shortened hems<br />- general mending/darning<br />- removed embellishments<br />- Sharpie, fortunately I have a set of many colors, all useful<br />- turned dresses into skirts<br />- dyed several items, but that was back in HS and not terribly successful<br />...and so on.</p> <p>Recently, I bought a floral tee from Land's End that had cap sleeves, which do not flatter me. &nbsp;So, I bought another shirt in the biggest size available and used t to make new kimono-style sleeves. &nbsp;Turned out beautiful.</p> <p>Now I'm working on restyling a box-pleated skirt that sat too high on my waist. &nbsp;I've got the original waistband off but can't decide what to use for the new waistband. &nbsp;The skirt is wool, lined, and rather heavy so whatever I use it must be substantial.</p> <p>I'm also in the middle of rescuing a silk top the tailor botched. &nbsp;I've tried two different fixes, neither of which worked, but I'm so tired of looking at it, I set it aside. &nbsp;I may end up taking it to the new tailor instead.</p> <p>Great thread, rabbit;&nbsp;I love reading everyone's ideas! &nbsp;I've got a pair of pants in mind that could really use a tuxedo stripe. &nbsp;What a great idea!</p> <p>Alexandra, your sweater turned out lovely! &nbsp;Did you blog about it? &nbsp;I love reading tutorials on stuff like that.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment/page/2#post-1315644 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 22:21:48 +0000 rabbit 1315644@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div><b>Lyn </b>- ouch! &nbsp;that is no fun. &nbsp;I wonder if a pocket would hide it, or if it could be crocheted closed (I do this on &nbsp;loose weave sweater holes if they are tiny). &nbsp;</p> <p></div><div>To cut the t-shirt I turned it inside out, and lined up the front and back collar on top of each other, and then folded it in half lengthwise. I then cut out a small arc, starting about an inch away from the collar and&nbsp;ending just at the bottom edge of the collar. (the folding in half made sure my cut would be symmetrical on both sides, and the lining up the collars was to ensure that the front cut would be slightly lower than the back (you can fiddle this depending on how deep you want the front and back cuts). &nbsp;I then checked it, and folded it again to cut a little more off if I wanted the neck wider and repeated until it looked right. I didn't sew the edge, because it rolled itself up slightly and I liked that look.</p> <p></div><div><b>Mellllls</b> - there is definitely a cost benefit analysis. &nbsp;Some things aren't worth the trouble or cost of supplies. &nbsp;I tend to do it more often with items that would otherwise be scrapped, they have an issue that makes them no good to donate, for example. &nbsp;Second, I'd do it with something I loved a lot and haven't seen a good retail replacement in the right color or fabric.</p> <p></div><div><b>Mander</b> - good to know there are lots of solutions on Pinterest! &nbsp;Linen pants into shorts is a useful one.</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment/page/2#post-1315638 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 22:09:40 +0000 rabbit 1315638@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div><b>Alasse </b>- you've got wonderful skills, and it's great that you use them to tailor clothes for your unique style and to fit perfectly. &nbsp;I like the backward dress idea. &nbsp;I'm wearing a few knit shirts backwards now under toppers, either because I don't like the henley collar, or because there is some design on the back I really like and want to show in cold weather too. But I realize a sewing machine would allow me to make this a permanent reversal. </p> <p> </div><div><b>DonnaF </b>- now that is an idea I could totally go for, and makes sense with all the ponte knit jackets, boxiness, and drapey moto&nbsp;styling right now. &nbsp;That just might be a white topper solution for me. &nbsp;I can see how it would add structure to the sweatshirt too. </p> <p> </div><div><b>unfrumped </b>- yes, belt-loops on dresses and jackets, that makes a big fit difference. </p> <p> </div><div><b>JAileen</b> - I've been avoiding the ink stained bags, good to know. &nbsp;The sweater sounds like such a fun project. </p> <p> </div><div><b>Angie</b> - thanks! Yay sharpies, I use them on nicks in the soles or heels of dress shoes too. </p> <p> </div><div><b>Kiwigal </b>- removing embellishments is a big one for making things more timeless. I wish more of them came off easily.</div><div><br /></div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment/page/2#post-1315611 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 21:31:08 +0000 Mander 1315611@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In the past few years I've started getting into refashioning my clothes.&nbsp; I have more ideas than finished projects but I have successfully made decent-looking shorts out of thrift store linen trousers that were waaaay too short, taken in the sides of a few items, and patched up jeans etc.&nbsp; One of my new favorite things to do is surf Pinterest for ideas! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment#post-1315599 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 21:21:01 +0000 Mellllls 1315599@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This was such an interesting read! &nbsp;I'd love to be more do it yourself and to fix my old clothes but in the end I often do just buy a new one. &nbsp;It's more of a time thing for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment#post-1315597 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 21:15:37 +0000 Lyn D. 1315597@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How did you turn a crew neck into a boat-neck Rabbit?</p> <p>I recently cut and hemmed a long tunic-style knit into a asymmetrical hem-line by hand. <br />Then noticed a hole right at chest level at the front </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment#post-1315591 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 21:07:52 +0000 Sal 1315591@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow some fab ideas here.</p> <p>My list is - change buttons, hem, cut trousers into shorts, remove embellishments. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment#post-1315571 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 20:37:00 +0000 Angie 1315571@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What Diana said. Sharpie pen all the way. I'm also quite hack happy in Summer. I MUST cut up a pair of old jeans. Summer isn't the same unless I do.&nbsp;</p> <p>Nice thread, Rabbit.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment#post-1315570 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 20:36:32 +0000 JAileen 1315570@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rabbit, ink is very tough to get out. I avoid bags that have big ugly ink spots. Usually the bags I buy are just dirty and dried out. It's amazing how much better they look with a little TLC.</p> <p>The sweater that I put bleach on ended up with an abstract design. I used a couple of techniques - flinging the bleach on which made dots and lines of dots, and I also used a carrot dipped in bleach that made bubble looking spots. It came out really cool looking. The Mason-Dixon Knitting ladies were referring to another knitting book that used Rowan denim yarn. I wanted to try out the technique before I invested in the yarn which was pretty expensive. I ended up never knitting a denim sweater. I think Rowan discontinued some if not all of that line. I got rid of my sweater a couple months ago or I'd post a picture. Eventually the main color looked kind of faded. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment#post-1315553 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 20:15:27 +0000 Alexandra 1315553@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>rabbit, thank you for the compliment! I sewed on the trim by machine. I basted it first. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment#post-1315531 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 19:45:01 +0000 unfrumped 1315531@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha--love Diana's sharpie. Has saved black items with a tiny stain or bleach mark. <br />Also painstakingly remove belt loops from jackets so the belt can ride lower, for my long waist, or not belt. Sharpie or colored marker to the rescue because sometimes the stitch removal area is lighter in color. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment#post-1315528 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 19:43:48 +0000 DonnaF 1315528@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I took an ancient plain all-cotton crew neck pullover sweatshirt and made it into a 3/4 sleeve jacket:&nbsp; Removed ribbing at neck, slit down the front, played around with neckline and length.&nbsp; The sleeves are *finished* by rolling, and sweatshirt fabric doesn't ravel.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment#post-1315509 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 19:32:21 +0000 Alassë 1315509@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A lot of these - de-ruffling, cutting off sleeves, hems galore, narrowing trouser legs, skirt-waist alterations, reversing a dress (making walking slit, sewing up old walking slit, putting in zipper), tons of shirts narrowed at the side seams, tons of shirts taken up at the shoulders, a dress made out of cropped top + skirt, changing a neckline's drape. I've also tried removing the dye &amp; dying items, but none of those came out the appropriate colour.</p> <p>I've had done the following: elastic added to skirt or shorts at the waist to take in the waist, adding a button-hole &amp; moving the corresponding button so it wouldn't be too high- or low-necked when completely buttoned, replacing a zipper.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment#post-1315482 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 19:04:22 +0000 rabbit 1315482@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You guys are clever. &nbsp;Thanks for sharing your tips!</p> <p><b>columbine </b>- I like the black tape solution, sometimes when I darn a hole it becomes MORE noticeable due to gathers even if I'm trying to avoid them and use a tiny stitch &nbsp;or two.</p> <p><b>shedev</b> - I don't buy shorts but just do cutoffs also for the same reason.</p> <p><b>E</b>- I need to try the waist tuck trick. &nbsp;I'm kind of at a loss with bottoms that are now too big at the waist. Your shoe care kit sounds lovely! &nbsp;I also want to try cutting the turtleneck out of a sweater, I haven't tried any sweater surgery before, but right now it's only being used as a cat bed liner so I figure no harm done if it fails.</p> <p><b>IK</b> - reverse style embroidery for decorative purposes? &nbsp;pretty cool. &nbsp;Inner seam loosening is a good one.</p> <p><b>Alexandra </b>- wow! &nbsp;That is an awesome transformation. &nbsp;Did you hand or machine sew on the new trim?</p> <p><b>JAileen</b> - Did the sweater you did come out with an abstract/organic design? I've thought about something like that using a spray bottle. &nbsp;(I did it to jeans as a teenager and liked it). &nbsp; I need to try something similar to your Coach bag restoration. &nbsp;Can you get out ink spots or just general dirt/wear?</p> <p><b>Janet </b>- yeah my attempts to dye haven't been stellar either.</p> <p><b>Melanie </b>- your new maxi dress looks very cool. &nbsp;Let us know how the other alterations go.</p> <p><b>La Belle</b> - I love it! &nbsp;I'm tempted lol. &nbsp;That's also a way to make a cropped length top with a defined waist, hmmm</p> <p><b>Greyscale</b> - I have removed and painted buttons (white shell painted with pewter all surface craft paint) and then sewn them back. &nbsp;I like button sewing because it's hard to mess up :D. &nbsp; Also I can listen to podcasts or audiobooks.</p> <p><b>E</b>&nbsp;- I've removed decorative stitching from jeans pockets in the same way. &nbsp;In hindsight, maybe a sharpie would have been better, because I could never get the bits of stitching stuck in the seams out all the way.</p> <p><b>Aziraphale</b> - yeah, so far my dying record hasn't been great. &nbsp;Good that the professional tailoring has worked out for you so nicely.</p> <p><b>Joy</b> - it's awesome when you can update the style of something in such a simple way, I agree!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment#post-1315433 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 18:06:37 +0000 Anonymous 1315433@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a great thread. In addition to several things already mentioned, I have cut the string ties off a wraparound knit top to make it into a cascading cardi, and have rolled and hand sewn the sleeves of a silk short sleeved tee to make them more of a diagonal angle on the arm. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment#post-1315431 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 18:00:24 +0000 Aziraphale 1315431@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love this question! I've done a lot of the things already mentioned by others. I'm not a seamstress, but I take things in to have them altered quite often. Usually it's just a tweak to make it fit, but sometimes it's a garment overhaul that changes the whole look, like when&nbsp;I've hemmed (well, had a professional hem)&nbsp;an ankle length skirt to just-below-knee length to make it wearable, or had a pair of bootcuts turned into straight legs. With do-it-yourself stuff, I'm pretty scissor-happy. I've&nbsp;cut off many pairs of jeans to make jean shorts (I'm sure I do this once a year), cut out the neck hole of a too-small crew neck, and cut the sleeves off tee shirts. I've also shaved sweaters and&nbsp;filled in tiny bleach spots on black clothing with a sharpie. I have also tried bleaching and dyeing garments, and have never, ever been happy with the results. The colour is always worse than what it started as. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment#post-1315420 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 17:36:26 +0000 E 1315420@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jaileen, you reminded me that I also occasionally perform a 'deruffling' operation via seam rippers: I go super slowly &amp; use bright light&nbsp;so I don't pull any&nbsp;threads on the garment underneath, and it works well.</p> <p>Melaine, I tried to turn a long sleeve dress into a sleeveless one once, but when I removed the sleeves, the remaining shoulder shape was too awkward to work. I'm glad you had better luck at turning jackets into vests! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment#post-1315407 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 17:21:45 +0000 Greyscale 1315407@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This thread has&nbsp;such good ideas.</p> <p>I had a jean jacket, faded black, with yellow stitching. The yellow thread drove me nuts so I sharpied over every seam. Huge improvement.</p> <p>I often think I'll replace buttons but I rarely get around to it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment#post-1315399 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 17:01:45 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 1315399@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>At my dance studio, we take scissors to oversized unisex or thrifted tees and cut a long slit up the center, either front or back, and knot the "tails" it creates. Same with the sleeves. And cut out the crew neck into a ballet or v-neck. Very Flashdance, LOL </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment#post-1315382 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 16:46:24 +0000 Melaine 1315382@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Super fun thread! I have done a few pairs of cut-offs, a couple of jackets to vests (love how these turn out...easiest refashion ever! taken in shirts to make them slimmer. Today my favorite thrift store had a sale and I bought two items that need work. I loved both and both fit perceived "holes" in my closet but I am not sure if I am up for the alterations. I will keep you posted! Oh, also took the top of a shirt and sewed it to a tiered skirt to make a maxi dress. I love it and have worn it tons! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment#post-1315368 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 16:12:27 +0000 Janet 1315368@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, some great ideas here. I've changed buttons and cut off sleeves, and of course cut jeans off into shorts, but I'm not terribly crafty. I tried to dye a pair of secondhand boots a while back, but I didn't like the results. I may try it again someday -- I put them in a cabinet in my office just in case I get a wild notion to make another attempt. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment#post-1315351 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 15:45:26 +0000 JAileen 1315351@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If I'm buying something retail, I usually don't do anything to it. But if it's something I've thrifted, I've done a lot:</p> <p>Change buttons<br /> Dyed<br /> Reshaped collar (this was major surgery, not for the faint of heart)<br /> Shortened hem<br /> Remove extraneous decoration<br /> Mend<br /> Depill<br /> Cut a dress down to a skirt</p> <p>A la Mason Dixon Knitting ladies I bought a cotton sweater and splashed it with bleach - this came out beautifully.</p> <p>Some of you are tired of hearing about vintage Coach bags. But when I buy them they often look quite sad. I wash them in dish soap and water, rinse over and over and over, and as they dry I start applying leather conditioner. I've had to take them to my shoe repair for various repairs I'm unable to make myself. It's worth it to me because I think they're beautiful. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment#post-1315347 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 15:24:40 +0000 Alexandra 1315347@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have just doctored a boring cashmere cardigan into a much more gamine-worthy style. Scissors and bias binding. I like it so much I'm thinking about adding this kind of trim to other garments. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment#post-1315342 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 15:20:15 +0000 ironkurtin 1315342@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>- New buttons<br />- Dying<br />- Cutting<br />- Bleaching<br />- Tailoring<br />- Opening seams (I have muscular legs and arms, so if a garment has triepl-e enforced seams, I may use a seam ripper to create more space)<br />- Mending mending mending<br />- Chanin Alabama-style reverse embroidery</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-have-you-done-to-revive-a-garment#post-1315327 Sat, 26 Jul 2014 14:49:15 +0000 E 1315327@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do hand sewn hems on some of the full skirts I buy; if they fit at my natural waist, they're likely from a different era and are way too long! I've done it on a couple dresses too. Other skirts I buy are the right length but too big in the waist, so if the styling allows it, I'll sew some tucks into the waist band to shrink them up (otherwise I just always wear them gathered under a belt). </p> <p>I've done this to trouser waistbands too and nearly all of my shorts (I prefer baggier shorts so usually buy a size or two up). Until I get around to doing the shorts, I use big safety pins on either side. (Luckily I always wear my tops untucked, so no one else has to see that sloppiness, hehe.) I've also tapered legs on a pair that was almost perfect&nbsp;(by hand, because I still need to learn how to use a sewing machine), and once turned a pair of big flares that fit me really well in the waist &amp; seat&nbsp;into fitted pedal pushers with a judicious cut &amp; roll.</p> <p>If something has a high wool content &amp; almost fits me, I'll run it through the washer &amp; drier in an attempt to shrink it a bit. This has worked really well twice: the other time the arm holes ended up too small. And I've definitely used the razor as a de-piller, with successful results!</p> <p>I'll replace the buttons on something if the current buttons don't have the vibe I want/look cheap.</p> <p>I tried dyeing things with Rit dye a couple of times when I was younger, but I have to do it on the stove top, and the fumes made me too concerned to keep doing it, even though I had good results.</p> <p>And of course minor mending on thrifted treasures: darning, stain removal, resewing loose buttons, catching up a dropped hem, etc.</p> <p>Oh and last month I got a shoe care kit from Otter Wax that has revived all of my leather shoes! They look beautiful &amp; the process is enjoyable, because it has safe ingredients that smell like lemons &amp; remind me of how you'd moisturise your hands,&nbsp;instead of scary regular shoe polish.</p> <p>My mom &amp; sister are going to give me some sewing machine lessons &amp; then in addition to making some simple garments, I plan to try hemming a couple tops I have that I've realised are longer than ideal. I'd also like to attempt a sweater surgery like I've seen tutorials on, where you take in the side seams/adjust the arm holes to make a too-big sweater fit you. But that idea also scares me, so I'll probably practice on a sweater from my holding zone first! </p>