Altering Clothing the Easy Way
Any time I buy clothes I have to figure out a way to alter them. Sadly, I am shaped like a Dr. Seuss character.
But I enjoy being creative and making them unique. Lemonade from lemons people. Why not embrace the challenge?
Now that I’ve lost a few pounds, my clothes are beginning to hang loose. But I have a lot more weight to lose, so I am going to try to make what I have work for me. I have a white shirt that was a little bit too short and too big around the middle, so why not see if I could fix it.
I started by adding a bit of lace to the bottom. That gave it an extra inch and a half, which made it the length I wanted.
But it was just too big, even for my Who-shaped stomach.
To make it more fitted, I decided to add some old buttons to the back to cinch it in. I put the shirt on and marked my waistline with a wash away marker. Then I added dots where I wanted to pull it in.
Since I wanted to use buttons and loops, I needed extra support, so I cut some rectangles out of canvas. No hemming or sewing, just cut and they’re ready.
Then, because it’s a “use what I have” project, I braided some pearl cotton embroidery floss to loop around the buttons. But you could use anything…string, heavy thread, yarn, ribbon.
I sewed on the buttons by hand and then pinned the shirt the way I wanted it.
The canvas rectangles are folded in half and pinned to the back where the loops and buttons will be sewn on.
I looped the braids around the buttons and used my sewing machine to attach the loops. I sewed back and forth several times over the ends to make sure they would be secure.
And now I have a shirt that fits me better and is adorable in the back.
I love the way it turned out and it only took about 15 minutes from start to finish.
See the difference in the fit?
While I was sewing the white shirt, I had another shirt project going. Last week I dug out some scraps and made myself a tunic, but I needed a top to wear under it.
I wanted teal, but the only shirt I could find in my size was too bright.
So I took the bright shirt over to the guest house and made a pot of coffee. (Neither James nor I drink coffee, so we don’t have a coffee pot in the house.)
While I’m at it I’m going to show you my favorite coffee mug.
I really wish someone had told me that BEFORE we got married.
Anyway, I put water in the sink and added the coffee. I swished the shirt around in the coffee/water.
I took it back to the house and put it in the washing machine, then the dryer and voila!
That minor change in color makes a huge difference.
Don’t be afraid to be creative to make your clothes fit your needs. No matter what your shape or size, you feel better when you look better.
Wow to the shirt and Wow to YOU! That is awesme and so cute! Seeing as how you’re so crafty and all, I woke up in the middle of the night the other night and realized that you’re coming to stay in my guest room so I have one month to do something with it! Yikes! 🙂 Good motivation!
That is awesome! I love it!
Can I be you when I grow up? hee hee!
Ah, Lisa, I hate to tell you this, but all your blouse needed was shoulder pads.
I’m MOST impressed with the Dr. Seuss character’s new blouse.
That tunic is the cutest thing ever!! I love tunic tops! I got a sewing machine for Christmas {last year} and have yet to use it! Shame on me! I had just told my husband, tonight, that I wanted to make our twin daughters’ Easter dresses this year . . . wish me luck 🙂
Too cute! 🙂
that shirt is too cute- I need to do something like that with one of my shirts, thanks for the how to!
I know you’re trying to be helpful, but I’m going to need you to stop now…
Wow!! I love this post. You are so awesome! I always enjoy your posts, but especially this one. I only wish I could be so good with the creativeness. Also love the Dr. Seuss character’s new shirt. I laughed out loud when I saw it!! Thanks for sharing.
You almost always make me laugh every post….I nearly laughed so loud my hubby will look at me crazy with my laptop over here on the couch! I think that is brilliant. When I lost a lot of weight, it was the best feeling to get rid of all those clothes and bought some new ones – only to lost more than I expected and they were too big! You were smart to do what you’re doing!
Lisa, This is so clever! What a cute and simple solution. Congrats on the weight loss.
Hugs,
Sherry
You are so stinkin’ clever.
I am back doing WW. Gained 15 pounds last year. Ugh.
Will remember this tip when I can button the fronts of my shirts around me again 😉
No coffee?!
WHAT!?
What do you drink in the A.M. then? Gheesh!
Love you, friend!
~me
P.S. I am praying for you on your trip to Blissdom…
The white shirt is just beyond yummy! I love it! Tried to get a closer peek at the finished loops~ Hmm. I’ll improvise.
I am famous for snatching up the $5 crewneck cotton t’s at Old Navy and using Rit dye and tea (I don’t even own a coffee pot.) to get the t shirts I want for layering.
LOL! The last image… spectacular! I think you’re slimming down beautifully and s-l-o-w-l-y is the name of the game. Savvy. Smart. Good job!
Oh- Lisa…
You make me chuckle (Laugh) and when I am hiding…oops (working) at my desk being serious I decide to quick stop over to see how you are & I am laughing out loud (no self control) and all the children run to my desk as they know…Mom’s on the blogs! 🙂
Maggie says…”It must be Mrs Lisa”..you have a rep over at our house for this! um…:)
It’s a good thing!
he-he ha- ha!
Love the blouse, looks very cute on you! Your looking great! You need to show the other outfit together…
Now is that a sewing room or where do you store all your sewing, crafts? You are so cute! 🙂
Thanks for brightening up my “yet another…snowed in day”! 🙂
Blessings~
~Lori
Now you need to model the tunic for us, Lisa. I love how you altered your shirt. Adding something to the bottom of the shirt is a great idea. I have that short-shirt problem often – having had 7 children, 2 C-sections, and one baby over 12 lbs. does no favors for the mid-section! I hope to borrow your idea soon. And your tunic looks so cute, especially with the flower – very haute couture. I hope the rest of your clothing preparations go well.
Mandy
I really like the shirt!
I wish I would have read this yesterday before I went shopping…
I was in an “ugly” mood, so I thought I would go shopping the clearance racks at Old Navy (my FAVORITE store). I also have been losing weight. I found the most adorable grey dress with navy blue and goldenrod yellow butterflies (on sale for $7!) and then I found a goldenrod yellow little cardigan (for $10!). Now, not being a dress wearer, or the slightest bit trendy, I thought that this was a REALLY CUTE outfit (and it really really was!) I grab the L of both, since that’s what I’ve been for some time now, and headed off to the dressing room. The associate says “Oh wow! That looks amazing together! I would have never thought to put that together like that!” which made me feel pretty confidant in my newly found style picking abilities. I try it on, look in the mirror, and immediately start taking it off. It was way too big… 🙁 And of course, since it was clearance, there were no M… *sigh* I ended up buying a blue green dress and a heather grey cardigan… and a pink top for church.. It was a very sad day for me.
What a great idea! I actually only have 1shirt with buttons in my entire wardrobe–just for that same reason. You look gorgeous in those pics, no matter what your size! I wish I could always look so well put together!
We don’t drink coffee either, but I have an IV line to my sweet tea…..it works well for tinting things too.
The white top looks fantastic – I think a more fitted silhoutte makes you look slimmer, too!
And WOW!!! Love the coffee trick – I would never have thought of that!
I have also lost weight recently – almost 50lbs (she said proudly)!! I’ve been hitting the thrift stores just about every other week on their half price day as I shrink. This idea will definitely let me look at tops in a whole new way!
Thanks!
Sheri O.
Wow! You look so great!! I just love what you did with the blouse …what a pretty idea. Thanks for sharing and congratulations on the weight loss!
~Julia
dear Improv,
Good job~just the kind of thing that makes me happy.
love,
The ‘new’ and cute fit
in
NE