3 Ways to Do Your Own Alterations or Customize Your Clothes!

If you're anything like me, you'll purchase something and even if the zipper is broken, or if it's two sizes too big, you still get it and figure out a way to make it work!  If you're unaware of how easy it could be to fix little issues (I was one of those people), here are three ways to do your own alterations or customize your clothes! 

Problem 1: You purchase a skirt that is too long and you want to freshen it up by giving it a new look.

• Put the skirt on to determine how short you want it and then mark it with chalk
• Lay the skirt flat and cut the seam stitching at the bottom
• Now fold the hem up so that it is inline with the chalk marks you made
• Pin it and iron all the way around removing the pins as you go
• Sew the hem of your skirt all the way around
• Use small stitching and matching thread to prevent your work from showing

Annnd there you go!  A customized skirt just for YOU!

Problem 2: When the absolute perfect dress just isn't the ideal size; time to take it in!  All you'll need is measuring tape, medium sized sewing needle, thread, straight pins, scissors and if you have one, a seam ripper - just in case you make mistakes :)

• Measure around your waist and hips
• Measure the waist and hips of dress, front and back
• Subtract the difference from the dress to your measurements and that's about how much you'll need to take it in
• You will be calculating a quarter of the amount that you'll need
• E.g., if you need to take in 2 inches then you will mark 1/2 from the stitching on each size because you will be doing it four times
• Measure in from the original seam and mark with chalk where you'll be sewing it and now you can sew the new seam
• Begin sewing where the side seam crosses another seam (armpit/bust/hips)
• Sew straight down using basic straight stitch 
• Finish the raw edges with a zigzag stitch because that will prevent the fabric from unraveling

There you have it, a unique piece to call your own!

Problem 3: You get those boyfriend jeans and they're just a little too perfect to suit your style.  By doing these easy steps, you can make your jeans look fashionably worn to your liking. 

• Decide where you want the tears/rips, etc. to be made (I recommend putting them on and then marking with chalk where you want the distressed look)
• Take scissors and snip small holes at those marks
• Take your good ol' cheese grater and scrape the surface of your jeans (caution: this will cause small holes, rips and tears in your jeans)
• Next, put your jeans in the washer on a normal cycle and then in the dryer right after
• Wear them a few times to achieve even more of a distressed look

Pair your new distressed jeans with a nautical tee and some brown TOD'S loafers and you'll be looking yacht ready!

*source: About.com
*photo cred: Google.com