Today I've got Jessica from Midwest Muse on the blog! I fell in love with Jessica and her blog when I saw all of her fun outfits. She's just so good at using color and pattern (plus a blog designer's gotta love when she comes across and nice, clean layout)! So yeah. Today she's going to share a collaboration of all of our favorite things: thrifting, DIYing and fashion!
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I love fashion. I love shopping. I love new clothes. But I most certainly do not enjoy the price of brand new clothes. I'm a seasoned thrifter. I have learned the method to the thrift madness. I go in with a goal and I see potential in skirts that are taller than myself. Thrift store clothing is usually GIGANTIC. Even the small sizes seem too big for my 4'9" self. I'm not too skilled at sewing, but I've found two simple ways to hem thrifted gems. One is a non-sew option and the other is a very MINIMAL sewing adventure (no skill required!).
The No-Sew Trick!
Supplies:
//An oversized skirt (dress, etc)
//Sharp scissors
//Pins
//Liquid Stitch (About $3 from your local craft store)
**Liquid Stitch is essentially fabric glue and is made specifically for quick hems.
What you do:
What you do:
1//Grab your item and pin it a tad LONGER than you'd like the actual hem to be.
2//Pin the hem.
3//CHOP.
4//Flip inside out and add a thin line of liquid stitch around the hem of the skirt.
5//Press down firmly for a couple seconds & let sit and air dry until it's no longer damp.
OPTIONAL//You can also use a blow dryer or iron to dry the glue if you're in a hurry.
OPTIONAL//You can also use a blow dryer or iron to dry the glue if you're in a hurry.
The Minimal Sewing:
I don't know much about sewing, but I have a sewing machine and it has 29 different stitches. Most sewing machines come equipped with multiple stitches which allow you to create fancy hems and appear more talented than you are! For me, one of the more difficult aspects of sewing is learning to sew in a straight line around an item. My mother bought me a magnetic seam guide and it revolutionized my sewing skills. It's a tiny $5 magnet and all you do is connect it to the bottom of your needle. This simple tool makes it IMPOSSIBLE for you to go off track.
Supplies:
//An oversize item
//Sewing machine
//Thread
//Pins
//Sharp Scissors
//magnetic seam guide
1//Grab your item and pin it a tad LONGER than you'd like the actual hem.
2//Pin the hem.
3//CHOP.
4//Add the magnet to your machine & select a stitch (I prefer the zig zag stitch).
5//Place under the machine and go! **If you're a beginner I suggest practicing with the magnet on the scraps of the item.
That's it! It's truly that simple to alter your .50 cent skirts from your local thrift store!
Hope you enjoyed my transformations and tips. Sincerely, Jessica
6 comments:
I am not much of a sewer but I like to do it sometimes and wish I did it more often... Anyways- I never knew about a magnetic seam guide and it sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing. :)
Wow this is so helpful! And what a difference it's made.
I will certainly be checking out Jessica's blog now :)
xx
http://pony-chops.blogspot.co.uk/
I'd never heard of a magentic seam guide- must look into this!
Great idea; amazing the change just the hemline can do!
you are only 4'9?!? omgosh that adorable. I'm 5'3 and i thought i was short! but those skirts are awesome, come over and do mine?? ha I do love to sew, but these strategies are great
this is brilliant jessica. and i love this - i have some sewing skills, but i NEVER knew of the magnet track, i want one. i hate trying to be straight.
<3 katherine
of corgis and cocktails // current giveaway
What?! I've never even heard of the possibility of a no-sew. My mind is boggled and I will no longer pass up pretty thrift items because they don't look like they'll fit. Thanks, Jessica!
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