How to Update Old Spring Skirts
At the dawn of each new season, the call of the mall and the beckoning of new clothes can be heard. But if your wardrobe budget is a little low or you want to keep your consumption down, you can update old garments as an alternative. Refreshing your wardrobe for spring won't take much. With basic sewing skills and an eye for fashion, you will be able to reinvent your skirts for a new season.
Things You'll Need:
Seam-ripper or craft knife
Pins
Make Small Changes
Step
1
Start with a minor alteration such as adjusting the length of your skirt. You'll need to remove the existing hem stitches and pin the new hem in place while you are wearing the skirt to ensure an accurate alteration.
Step
2
Update your old skirts by switching out buttons and trim for more "springy" alternatives. A decorative gemstone button can liven up a dull waistband, while a bit of lace inserted beneath the hem of a full skirt can create a dressier look.
Step
3
Add a layer of sheer gauze or chiffon to old cotton or linen skirts to create an ethereal spring look. You can tone down summer bright colors by layering a white or pastel over them.
Update the Silhouette
Step
1
Try on your skirt inside-out. If it has a lining, it would be best to remove it before preceding with this alteration.
Step
2
Pin along the seam lines or create new ones to achieve the desired shape. Remember that you may need to remove some bulk if you are radically changing the silhouette of your skirt for spring, such as altering a full skirt to a slim pencil silhouette.
Step
3
Remove the skirt and mark the pinned seams on both sides of the fabric. You may need to even out your new seam lines using tracing paper, so be sure to mark your pins carefully.
Step
4
Unpick any existing seams. A seam ripper or
craft
knife is ideal for this purpose, as long as you are careful not to rip the fabric of your skirt.
Step
5
Re-stitch your skirt, right sides together, along the new seam lines.
Step
6
Try it on before pressing it and altering the hem. Any imperfections should be unstitched and re-sewn to create a smooth line.
Step
7
Perform the same alterations to the lining of the skirt and reattach it at the waist.
Tips & Warnings
Ask for help from a friend to pin your new hemline in place, especially if it is cut on the bias of the fabric. It is easy to create a wobbly hemline if it isn't pinned correctly before the alteration is made.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2139573_update-old-spring-skirts.html
At the dawn of each new season, the call of the mall and the beckoning of new clothes can be heard. But if your wardrobe budget is a little low or you want to keep your consumption down, you can update old garments as an alternative. Refreshing your wardrobe for spring won't take much. With basic sewing skills and an eye for fashion, you will be able to reinvent your skirts for a new season.
Things You'll Need:
Seam-ripper or craft knife
Pins
Make Small Changes
Step
1
Start with a minor alteration such as adjusting the length of your skirt. You'll need to remove the existing hem stitches and pin the new hem in place while you are wearing the skirt to ensure an accurate alteration.
Step
2
Update your old skirts by switching out buttons and trim for more "springy" alternatives. A decorative gemstone button can liven up a dull waistband, while a bit of lace inserted beneath the hem of a full skirt can create a dressier look.
Step
3
Add a layer of sheer gauze or chiffon to old cotton or linen skirts to create an ethereal spring look. You can tone down summer bright colors by layering a white or pastel over them.
Update the Silhouette
Step
1
Try on your skirt inside-out. If it has a lining, it would be best to remove it before preceding with this alteration.
Step
2
Pin along the seam lines or create new ones to achieve the desired shape. Remember that you may need to remove some bulk if you are radically changing the silhouette of your skirt for spring, such as altering a full skirt to a slim pencil silhouette.
Step
3
Remove the skirt and mark the pinned seams on both sides of the fabric. You may need to even out your new seam lines using tracing paper, so be sure to mark your pins carefully.
Step
4
Unpick any existing seams. A seam ripper or
craft
knife is ideal for this purpose, as long as you are careful not to rip the fabric of your skirt.
Step
5
Re-stitch your skirt, right sides together, along the new seam lines.
Step
6
Try it on before pressing it and altering the hem. Any imperfections should be unstitched and re-sewn to create a smooth line.
Step
7
Perform the same alterations to the lining of the skirt and reattach it at the waist.
Tips & Warnings
Ask for help from a friend to pin your new hemline in place, especially if it is cut on the bias of the fabric. It is easy to create a wobbly hemline if it isn't pinned correctly before the alteration is made.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2139573_update-old-spring-skirts.html
