D O N T W A S T E T I M E B U Y I N G N E W C L O T H E S

E U Q I N U E R A T A H T S E C E I P E T A E R C

Y A W A S E H T O L C W O R H T O T D E E N O N
45 IDEAS
TO BRING NEW LIFE TO YOUR
OLD CLOTHES

N O N E E D T O C H A N G E Y O U R S E L F T O F I T

www.bethanyalice.com.au
 1: Remove sleeves from a shirt or dress to

make it sleeveless

2: Cut the skirt off a dress to make it into a shirt.

3: Add lace fabric to hemline of shirt, dress or

skirt. It will give extra length but have a sheer

effect as well.

4: Cut full length skirt into a cocktail length.

5: Add straps (and sleeves if desired) to a

strapless dress or top.

6: Turn a pair of pants into a skirt.

7: Turn a warp skirt into permanent skirt by

stitching down wrap and adding elastic.

8: Add a feature pocket with bold, contrasting

fabric to plain shirt, jacket or pants.

9: Replace sleeves of one shirt with

contrasting sleeves of another to add more

detail.

10: Add sleeves to a singlet shirt or dress.

11: Cut full length pants into shorts.

12: Add extra fabric to a shirt hemline to make

a dress.

www.bethanyalice.com.au
13: Cut out stained or damaged section 19: Swap the tops of two dresses (so

of any garment and replace with a bold, dress 1 will be colour A top and colour B

contrasting fabric. skirt then dress 2 will be Colour B top and

14: If any garment is too small, add panels Colour A skirt).

in the side seams and/or back to create a 20: Add contrasting panel along the side

looser fit. seams and under sleeve of a shirt to

15: Cut the top off a dress and make into create a looser fit.

a skirt. 21: Add extra fabric to short sleeve shirt or

16: Cut long sleeves short to make a t- dress to make full length sleeves.

shirt length sleeve. 22: Turn top or dress into off the shoulder

17: Turn flowy skirt into loose fitting (drop neckline.

crotch style) pants. 23: Cut a round neckline on a shirt or

18: Add bold feature to a plain jacket lapel dress into a V, sweetheart or square

using contrasting fabric. neckline.

www.bethanyalice.com.au
24: Replace plain buttons on a simple top or

jacket with contrasting coloured buttons for an

interesting feature.

25: Add extra fabric to a short skirt to make it

3/4 or full length.

26: Add a feature waistband to dress to make

a more fitted silhouette.

27: Add a contrasting coloured stitching along

collar and lapel of plain shirt for an interesting

feature.

28: Add long ties to the shirt hemline and wear

shirt as a wrap style and tying the loose ends

into a bow around the waist.

29: Fully line the inside of a simple jacket (that

is designed to be unfastened) with contrasting

fabric to make it reversible.

30: Add hidden pockets into side seams of a

skirt or dress.

31: Cut down the middle of loose fitting shirt or

jumper to turn it into a cardigan style.

32: Add extra fabric to bottom of a short jacket

to make it a coat length.

www.bethanyalice.com.au
33: Add side split to skirt or dress. 39: Cut off any additional fabric features

34: Cut a straight strapless neckline into a that may be annoying or unnecessary.

sweetheart for a softer look. 40: Turn a wide leg pant silhouette into a

35: Add a contrasting panel into the back straight or fitted silhouette.

of a coat and the side seams to create an 41: Cut away the back of a simple top or

A-line poncho style jacket. dress for a backless design.

36: Make sleeves of shirt of jacket shorter 42: Add a lining to a skirt or dress that

by gathering and stitching to create a feels too sheer.

permanent textured ruffled effect. 43: Cut halter strap of top or dress and

37: Make spaghetti straps on a top or turn into 2 simple over the shoulder

dress shorter by crossing them over at straps.

the back rather than keeping them 44: Stitch up any open hole design

straight. features.

38: Cut a long shirt or dress hemline on 45: Turn full length dress into a shirt and

an angle rather than keeping it straight. use the left over fabric for sleeves.

www.bethanyalice.com.au