| Do you have a closet full of old clothes that you just | | | | Embellishments. Crafty fashionistas will have a lot of |
| don't wear anymore? While you could donate some of | | | | fun with this. Sew or glue sequins and rhinestones to |
| it to a thrift shop, you can actually give new life to a lot | | | | old tops and jeans. Silk flowers can adorn hats, shoes, |
| of your garments so you'll have a whole new | | | | and dresses. Pin a bow on a jacket for a chic, elegant |
| wardrobe. We surveyed a panel of fashion school | | | | look. And ribbons add a fresh and flirty touch to most |
| students who are self-proclaimed do-it-yourselfers, and | | | | anything. |
| they've come up with these creative ideas for turning | | | | Ironing on designs. One of our panel's favorite methods |
| your old clothes into new fashions. It's a great way to | | | | of transforming old clothes was by using iron-on |
| show the world how eco-friendly, and stylish, you are. | | | | transfers. It's as easy as creating graphics on a |
| Jean therapy. It may sound like a challenge on "Project | | | | computer (or finding stock images) and printing them |
| Runway," but old denim can be repurposed in a variety | | | | out on an inkjet printer onto transfer paper. Then iron |
| of ways to create new fashions. Our panel loved the | | | | the design onto any garment that could use a little |
| idea of creating a denim skirt by cutting the legs off a | | | | graphic embellishment. Choose to showcase one large |
| pair of jeans slightly above the knee, ripping the seams | | | | design, or repeat several smaller ones. |
| of the legs, and realigning the fabric in an inverted "V," | | | | Dyeing for fashion. The fashion design students also |
| using fabric from the cut-off legs to bridge any gaps. | | | | extolled the joys of dyeing old clothing to create a |
| For those more advanced with a sewing machine, | | | | totally new look. Frequently, we get tired of a certain |
| they recommended deconstructing several pairs of | | | | item, or it's acquired a stain we want to hide. Dyeing |
| jeans by cutting them up into pieces to create a | | | | the garment completely transforms it through color. |
| color-block sundress, inverting the denim in various | | | | The students do recommend that you consult a color |
| places to add contrast to the design. And for | | | | wheel, so you know how a certain dye color will react |
| beginners, turning a pair of jeans into a purse or a tote | | | | with the garment's existing color. |
| bag is an easy project. (You can also make capris or | | | | Making scarves. Material from old tees, flannel shirts, |
| make boot cut jeans into a straight leg or narrow cut.) | | | | and even suits make wonderful scarves. Just cut the |
| Splicing two pieces together. If you have two shirts | | | | garments into smaller pieces of equal width and sew |
| that you're tired of, here's a way to get two new shirts | | | | them together, hemming the edges of the scarf when |
| that look like they've come off the latest runway | | | | you're done. The reverse is also true: if you have an |
| show. Cut off the sleeves from both shirts, and then | | | | old silk scarf, you can turn it into a blouse or halter top |
| switch the sleeves, sewing one pair onto the opposite | | | | with a few nips and tucks. |
| shirt and vice versa. You can do the same with shirt | | | | Changing the neckline. Something as simple as altering |
| collars or pants, switching out waistbands, or even the | | | | the neckline of a garment can completely transform it. |
| belt loops. | | | | Grab some scissors, and turn your crew neck t-shirt |
| Changing the buttons. Have an old cardigan that's a | | | | into a v-neck. Do the same with an old sweater. And |
| little tired? A jacket that's worn out its welcome? | | | | don't worry about sewing the cut edges; the |
| Freshen them up just by changing out the buttons. An | | | | deconstructed look is very hot. |
| old cardigan, jacket or even a blouse suddenly | | | | Recycling your old clothes into new fashions may |
| becomes a fashion statement when you sew on | | | | become so addictive, don't be surprised if you start |
| colorful new buttons. Mismatch the colors for an even | | | | shopping at thrift stores to buy more garments for |
| more fun twist. | | | | future projects. |