… Literally!
I must confess I’ve bought more than a few items of clothing in my time, that turned out to be duds.
Take these two for example; somehow they just weren’t quite right. Unworn, unloved, their future looked bleak … so I bravely took to them with a pair of scissors … and am rather chuffed with the results, if I do say so myself!
The furry waistcoat was long and drapey, and had great potential, but somehow it just made me look enormous. It’s much cuter and flattering at this shorter length! Unfortunately I don’t have a “before” photo as I didn’t think of writing this post until AFTERWARDS! (D’oh!) It looks fab with jeans – yes BBeingCool, even THOSE purple jeans (I can feel another blog post coming on …)
I bought this black maxidress online but as you can see below, my shoes were barely peeping out – it was just TOO LONG. I felt like Morticia Adams when I wore it!
I found another dress that was a bit shorter than what I wanted this one to be, so used it as my cutting guide …
Here’s the results of my first attempt … still a bit too long I thought … made me look like I was wearing Minnie Mouse shoes! (Sorry about the grainy photo – not sure why it wasn’t very clear when all the others weren’t too bad …)
So it was back to the drawing cutting board … and voila! I think this dress will be great for layering this Winter!
Fortunately both these items are made of knit fabrics so don’t require hemming, although I think I will hem the dress to make it a little neater (and because I’m anal a perfectionist like that …)
So there you have it – I’ve managed to rescue two items that were destined for the charity bins!
What’s your favourite trick for breathing new life into old clothes?
It’s Monday, so I’m joining up with Kirsty from My Home Truths for I MUST CONFESS, and Alicia at One Mother Hen for the OPEN SLATHER blog link ups 
I must admit I tend to donate to the Good Sammys when my clothes are near the death knock. I have no sewing skills whatsoever or op shop capabilities to dress up the old favourites other than match my old clothes with a new scarf or some jewellery.
That’s why this was so good – NO SEWING REQUIRED!
I so wish I could sew!! Love what you did with the dress, very creative!!
Hopefully I’ll get a lot more wear out of it now!
That dress is the perfect now! It really suits you that length. Did you know there was a mathmatical formula to getting your perfect skirt length? Your brave, I would surely stuff it up. Plus I haven’t sewn for so long, I have given up on nagging and started using my ‘sewing’ scissors for everything!
Thanks Alicia – no I’ve never heard of the mathematical formula, but me and maths don’t go together so pretty sure I’d stuff THAT up!
Good on you for salvaging those items. I have officially given up on sewing or mending – after I stuffed up the hem on my daughter’s school uniform when using hemming tape (I know, how on Earth can anyone stuff up hemming tape? Well, apparently I can!) Thanks for linking up again Janet!
Believe me, I’m not much of a seamstress either – failed home ec in Year 8! My hubster uses our sewing machine more than I do!
Oooh… thanks for the mention! I was hoping to see those purple jeans though!
You are very brave for taking to your clothes with scizzors!
Maybe next time!