Brighten Up Your Wardrobe With These Awesome Sewing and Crafting Ideas

Do you ever open your wardrobe and feel totally uninspired by your clothing choices? Well, you are not alone! However, as we all try to be more environmentally friendly, it also seems wasteful to bin perfectly good garments just because we are tired of them. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to refresh and brighten up your clothes this summer with these simple sewing and crafting hacks. 

Recolour with dye or bleach

Whether you go for a flat dye, tie-dye or some bleach painting, you can radically change the look of an outfit using this hack. There are lots of cold water or washing machine dyes available - just be sure to follow the instructions for washing away the residue before using the machine again. 

Tie-dye is trending 

Tie-dye allows you to unleash your creative side, and all you need is elastic bands or string. Take bunches of material and secure with bands; this will change the pattern and strength of the dye, giving you vibrant patterns. Bleach is another suitable dye, but take care to protect your hands and eyes. You can spot stain or paint designs. Dyeing clothes is perfect for pale shirts or trousers that have started to look a little worn. 

Age your denim

If you have a pair of jeans that have started to fray at the knee or that you accidentally got a hole in, go with that look! Distressed denim is on-trend and never seems to go out of fashion. Take a pair of scissors to your jeans and add more rips and tears. Use your fingers to pull out and fray the fibres gently so they take on an authentic distressed denim look. Another great tip for creating an aged denim look is to use sandpaper to rough up the fabric. 

Amazing embroidery

Another great way to change the look of your clothes is to use embroidery. Creating a flower or other decal over the top of a hole not only repairs the damage to the fabric but adds a new look and feel. Of course, you don’t have to wait to damage an item of clothing before adding embroidery. If you are creative and good with a needle, you can simply sew some fantastic designs into your clothing and refresh the look and feel. You will also find great design ideas online.

From long to short

Another great clothing hack is to turn long trousers into Capri pants or shorts. Wundaweb is an excellent way of securing hems using just an iron, or you can simply leave them with the raw edges, as this is also on point this season. You just need to take care to ensure that both legs are the same length. You can also change your trousers so they finish at the calf, knee, or even on your thigh.

Applique away

If you have an item of clothing with a hole in that is tricky to repair in a way that isn’t obvious, why not consider adding some appliqué or a patch. Simply sew your chosen design over the hole and create a new look to the garment. If you are crafty, you can create some appliqué designs using felt, or you can search the Internet for various patches. You could make a statement about your favourite things, for example, a cat or dog patch.

Create lace panels

Another popular fashion trend this year is the lace look. You can create panels of lace in any garment by carefully cutting out a shape and then attaching a piece of lace to cover the cut out onto the inside of your item. Again, if you are not confident with a sewing machine, iron-on bonding can be used, and because it is inside, it won’t be seen. Stars and moons are popular shapes, and lace is available in many different designs and colours, so you can get creative when you revamp your garment.

Add lace trims

Lace is also a great way to add to the hems of trousers or the cuffs of shirts for a different look. If you have trousers that need rehemming, why not consider cutting a small amount off and replacing them with a deep lace instead. This creates a pretty summery look and will reinvigorate your item of clothing. When added to cuffs, lace gives a Gothic look and creates an edgy aesthetic. 

Update your t-shirts

T-shirt material is one of just a handful that doesn’t fray when cut. So, rejuvenating an old t-shirt could be as simple as changing the neckline. You can carefully cut a deeper neckline or create a tank top from a sleeved tee by removing the sleeves. Use a paper pattern to get an even shape on both sides.

At Dalston Mill Fabrics, we have tons of fabric choices available to brighten up your wardrobe for summer. So, why not try these small sewing and craft projects to revive your garments.