Here are some simple steps that involve minimal sewing and will assist you in transforming some of those unloved clothes that have inched their way to the back of your wardrobe into your new favourites. Steph Cousins has been sewing for years and is a strong believer in reusing clothes by giving them a quick spruce up with the sewing machine.
In these videos Steph will teach you to:
- Hem
- Make a bag out of scrap material
- Resize an over-sized t-shirt
- Fringe a singlet
NOTE: for all sewing, make sure you sew 3 or 4 stitches and then reverse and go over them again. This is called a backstitch and will ensure that the stitching will not come undone.
Video one: The Hemming way
Click here for part two “The Rags to Bags’
Never underestimate the power of a shorter hemline to transform a garment. Altering a hemline can be a quick and easy way to make an outfit go from old to bold. This video will demonstrate on a skirt but once you know how to hem you can use it for dresses and shirts too. Things you will need:
1. Item of clothing you will be hemming
2. Iron
3. Tape measure
4. Pins
5. Sewing machine
Step one:
Wear the item of clothing you wish to hem and mark with pins the length at which you will sew the new hem.
Step two:
Measure all around the skirt and pin.
Step three:
Iron down the folded hem.
Step four:
Take the outside of the hem and fold it back on itself and flip the inside of the hem out so you can see it.
Step five:
Choose a standard blind hem stitch and begin to sew. Make sure the little zigzags will catch onto the edge of the fabric while the big zigzags will catch onto the edge of the folded fabric.
Step six:
Iron the hem once more to finish.
These videos are the perfect way to show the potential your clothes have. Let these tips and tricks get your creative mind cogs spinning and start thinking outside the box when it comes to fashion. Who says a new outfit means you have to buy new clothes?
Videos by Annalise Tromans & Esther Loke
Makeup Arist – Melissa Rasmussen
Hair Stylist – Emma Carey
Model – Philippa Kane