Sew the old, make anew.
Looking for ways to update your wardrobe? Need to give your outdated threads a face lift? Maybe your budget doesn’t allow for a shopping spree at this time, but if you think out of the box and work with what you have in your closet, you can update old garments and give them a modern twist. All you'll need is a needle and thread (and some new buttons) and you're on your way to a modern you.
Instructions
1. Try on old clothes to see if they still fit well. Too loose? Too tight? They need a new button. For pants, use a tape measure to see how far you need to move the button. If they were pants you once wore with heels and now you're a flat kind of gal, hem the pants so that they don't drag on the floor.
2. Pin fabric in place with pins or safety pins and stand, wearing shoes, in front of a full length mirror before hemming anything. Adjust the pins if necessary
3. Change the buttons if you have a great blouse that is now outdated. Buttons can make a big difference, making an old shirt or sweater look new. Stick with the same buttons for each button hole--do not mix and match unless it is a big fluffy sweater your grandma knitted. Stick with a sleek, modern look by choosing solid-colored, simple buttons.
4. Know that length is also important. If sleeves on a sweater or blouse are extra long, make sure the sleeves hit your wrist when your arms are straight by your sides. If sleeves are too short, hem them so that they are considered quarter-length (half way between the wrist and the elbow). If a skirt is too long (and miniskirts are in fashion) hem the skirt. This can be done by hand or by using a sewing machine.
5. Be honest with yourself. If something doesn't fit and new buttons and new hems still don't make the item look fresh and new, consider trading it in at a consignment shop or local vintage store.
