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In the past few years I've started getting into refashioning my clothes. 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. One of my new favorite things to do is surf Pinterest for ideas!

10 years ago

Alasse - you've got wonderful skills, and it's great that you use them to tailor clothes for your unique style and to fit perfectly. I like the backward dress idea. 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.

DonnaF - now that is an idea I could totally go for, and makes sense with all the ponte knit jackets, boxiness, and drapey moto styling right now. That just might be a white topper solution for me. I can see how it would add structure to the sweatshirt too.

unfrumped - yes, belt-loops on dresses and jackets, that makes a big fit difference.

JAileen - I've been avoiding the ink stained bags, good to know. The sweater sounds like such a fun project.

Angie - thanks! Yay sharpies, I use them on nicks in the soles or heels of dress shoes too.

Kiwigal - removing embellishments is a big one for making things more timeless. I wish more of them came off easily.

10 years ago

Lyn - ouch! that is no fun. I wonder if a pocket would hide it, or if it could be crocheted closed (I do this on loose weave sweater holes if they are tiny).

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 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). 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.

Mellllls - there is definitely a cost benefit analysis. Some things aren't worth the trouble or cost of supplies. 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. 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.

Mander - good to know there are lots of solutions on Pinterest! Linen pants into shorts is a useful one.

10 years ago

I've done lots of the same things others have...
- changed buttons
- narrowed legs on pants
- cut off pants to make clams
- removed embellishments
- shortened hems
- general mending/darning
- removed embellishments
- Sharpie, fortunately I have a set of many colors, all useful
- turned dresses into skirts
- dyed several items, but that was back in HS and not terribly successful
...and so on.

Recently, I bought a floral tee from Land's End that had cap sleeves, which do not flatter me. So, I bought another shirt in the biggest size available and used t to make new kimono-style sleeves. Turned out beautiful.

Now I'm working on restyling a box-pleated skirt that sat too high on my waist. I've got the original waistband off but can't decide what to use for the new waistband. The skirt is wool, lined, and rather heavy so whatever I use it must be substantial.

I'm also in the middle of rescuing a silk top the tailor botched. I've tried two different fixes, neither of which worked, but I'm so tired of looking at it, I set it aside. I may end up taking it to the new tailor instead.

Great thread, rabbit; I love reading everyone's ideas! I've got a pair of pants in mind that could really use a tuxedo stripe. What a great idea!

Alexandra, your sweater turned out lovely! Did you blog about it? I love reading tutorials on stuff like that.

10 years ago

Great ideas here - I forgot about changing buttons etc. I always change the cheap plastic buttons on shirts for shell ones - it makes such a difference.

rabbit I dyed these particular clothes an olive green, it's a neutral for me & works with denim, beige & the greys that I wear in summer

10 years ago

Can someone post the link about the fishing line to weigh down a hem? I wish I had known about that trick before I gave away a Top Shop skirt with a wiggly hem!

10 years ago

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!

10 years ago

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!

10 years ago

I bought a jeans jacket at Goodwill that I instantly regretted buying. I should never let DH and a stranger talk me into buying something that is not returnable. The fading pattern was. . .weird. I took sandpaper to the darker parts, so although it still isn't ideal, it is good enough for me to consider wearing it. 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. I think sanding works best with all cotton or 99% cotton and less spandex/elastane.

10 years ago
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