Wardrobe Refashion
You can recreate a whole new wardrobe simply by refashioning older,
used or clothes that don't fit well.
Sewing Materials Available
Ideas for Wardrobe Refashioning
Too Big
For a garment that is too big you can sew a closer seam of an inch
or two on the sides of dresses and shirts. Try on clothing and pin
or measure how much you'd like to take in, making sure to leave some
allowance for general movement. Sew along seams.
photo courtesy to KristiniaJ.
Too Small Shirt
Take out side seams and add side panels with strips of fabric. Cut
strips as wide as you'd like for the length from the armpit to 1/2
inch beyond bottom hem. Turn bottom edge up and hem strip. Pin right
sides together on one side and sew. Finish opposite side of strip
and sew. Do the same on the other side of the shirt.

Adjust Sleeve Lengths
Make sleeves shorter or even a shirt sleeveless. For shorter sleeves
try on and pin where desired length. Carefully align two sleeves
together matching length and shoulder seams together. Trim off extra
fabric leaving an 1 inch for hemming. Turn sleeve edge in and turn
once more pin and sew in place.
For sleeveless, cut sleeves edge close to seam, leaving the seam
intact. Depending on the material you can leave as is.

Add Darts
Make baggy clothes more defined by
adding
darts.
Shorten Hem
Try clothing piece on and pin where you'd like the desired length to
be. Trim leaving several inches for hemming. Take off and fold up
1/2 inch and another 1/2 inch. Pin and sew.
Photos courtesy to araicat
See some online videos on
refashioning your wardrobe for
more help.
More Refashion Ideas
Turn skirt into pants
Lay the skirt flat. Cut the skirt through the middle leaving 15-20
inches at the top. Turn skirt inside out and place two open seams
together. Sew both legs together.
These pants will be baggie and not fitted.
Make dress into a skirt
Cut bottom of dress off and
sew an
elastic waist.
Make Shorts Out of a Shirt or Dress
Shorts
from t-shirt- this works great for small children depending on
the size of your t shirt for bigger sizes try a t shirt dress or
long dress in place of the t shirt.
Recycle T- shirts for Skirts
Make several T-shirts into a skirt
Need an easy hand sewing project?Felt
Patterns!
Recycle Jeans into Skirts
Jean Skirt- make jeans into
a skirt
Redesign Your Clothes
Add
trim to pant legs
Add lace, trim, ruffles,
embroidery
appliques
Combine two shirts into one new design:
By adding a bottom edge simply by matching right sides together and
sewing. Long sleeves were cut off and added a cuff to the end. Also
trimmed off the hood by cutting close to the seam nothing more was
needed.
Create a vest from a sweatshirt project.

See directions on making a vest.
Online Video Help
See some online videos on
refashioning your wardrobe for
more help.
Share your Wardrobe Refashion!
Your Kids Sewing Project
Share your kids sewing project, instructions or pictures.