A Guide to Wardrobe DIY

I started my christmas shopping today, I had already bought a present for my pops but start getting a few bits for my girlfriend. I did manage to sneak in a bit of shopping for myself. After my failed attempt at picking up some Lanvin for H&M I decided I would spend a bit of money on things that actually needed updating in my wardrobe. First on my list were some tees so I stopped off at American Apparel to pick up a few. At this time of the year though everyone has presents to buy for so it doesn’t leave much money left over to treat yourself. Now maybe a good time to give your wardrobe a clear out and pull out those pieces that need a bit of love and attention. In this article I’m going to give you a few tips that I’ve only recently learnt myself to help you revive your forgotten clothes and maintain your current favourites.

Replacing buttons

This is a vital bit of knowledge as they’ll always come a point where a button pops off a piece of clothing or it becomes loose. I always tend to keep the little extra buttons that usually come in a bag in a safe place in case I ever need to call upon them. The only tools you’ll need are a needle and thread and a new button. Knowing how to sew a button on also comes in handy if you want to replace the buttons completely. You may have found a cool jacket at a vintage store but fancy a different set of buttons, now it won’t be a problem.

Hemming Trousers

This is a little bit more difficult than sewing a button and while it can be done with a needle and thread it’s easier with a sewing machine. However, not everyone has a sewing machine, if you do I’ve posted a link to a video below. The quickest and easiest method is to use fusion tape or ‘wonder web’ which is a strong adhesive that when ironed will keep the hem in place.

Why do I need to know this?

Well quite often it’s hard trying to get trousers in the right leg length. You may have found the perfect pair but the legs are too long and you don’t want to pass them up.

• First unpick the stitching that is already there. Unfold the hem and then iron a 1/2 inch fold. Check the label first though to make sure you can iron the fabric.

• It maybe easier to get a friend to help you with the next step. Put on the trouser with the shoes you plan on wearing them with. Fold the hem up inside the leg and pin at the bottom and at the top to keep in place.

• Next fold the trouser back round slightly and measure the length of the hem. Make a mark with chalk then using those measurements pin the second leg.

• Iron the hem again to create a crease, this crease will form the hem, now all you need to do is slide in the fusion tape and iron to seal the hem in place.

You can check out this video if you’re using a sewing machine or want a visual aid to the steps above.

Dying Clothes

Quite often if a shirt or a pair of jeans fade we’re tempted to throw them out. But if the fabric is still in good condition and the fit is good there is really no need. You can pick up fabric dye relatively cheaply which can leave your clothes looking new again. If you consider the cost of a new pair of jeans to £10 for some dye you can easily see where you’re making a saving. Being a fan of black jeans, dye is a godsend as black tends to fade quickly.

How to fix a ripped seam

Again rather than throwing out your clothes they can be repaired. A rip on the seam does not mean the garment is finished. It maybe the seam was poorly stitched in the first place or that some stress has caused it to tear. Rather than explain how to do this one yourself I’ve linked a video as this is much easier if you can see what to do.

How to fix a ripped seam

I hope these tricks are useful and help you get a bit more longevity out of your clothes. In this fast fashion culture we’re quite quick to throw clothes out when there really is nothing wrong with them.

Let me know what you think, do you have any more tips you can add? Or are these skills no longer needed? Have your say by commenting below.

If you liked this how to guide why not subscribe and I’ll send you another one next week? You can subscribe by RSS here or subscribe by email by filling in your email address in the subscription box in the sidebar. You can also catch us on Bloglovin here.