How to Change an Old Homecoming Dress

If you aren't satisfied with an old dress, add something new.

Homecoming dresses are often only worn once before they are stuffed into the back of a closet. Until you move out and your mom calls to ask what to do with all of your old dresses. Rather than getting rid of or forgetting about an old homecoming dress, make a few alterations so you can wear it again for a different occasion. If you make major changes, people are unlikely to even notice that it is a dress you have worn before.

Things You'll Need

• Belt
• Ribbon
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Pins
• Needle
• Thread
• Sequins or beads

Instructions

1. Add a bold belt to an old homecoming dress to draw attention away from the dress itself and to your waistline. Wide belts work best for this, although belts with metallic accents also draw attention to themselves.

2. Sew ribbon onto the dress, using a contrasting color of ribbon to make it pop. You can sew the ribbon along the edges of the dress, at the waist, down the sides or along any other seams that the dress already has.

3. Shorten the length of a long homecoming dress to make it appropriate for more informal occasions. Cut the dress to about an inch longer than your desired length, pin the fabric up to make an even edge and hem it to your new length. Knee-length dresses are especially cute.

4. Add sequins or beads to the bodice of the dress. You can either sew a whole row in a straight line or sew individual sequins or beads into a pattern. Make a flower, swirl or other decorative shape with sequins or beads to draw attention to that part of the dress.