Things You'll Need:
- Beads
- Sequins
- Needle and thread
- Sewing machine (Nice to have, but not necessary)
- Interesting ribbons
- Appliqués
- Pom Poms
- Patches
- Scissors
- Stitch Witchery
- Fabric pencil
- Fabric glue
- Fabric scraps
- Fabric dye
- Embroidery thread
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Step 1
Collect an array of interesting notions. Fabric stores will sell an array of unusual ribbons and trims, including lace, threaded sequins, velvet and fabric. But also keep an eye out in craft stores and in dollar stores. You can also find pretty vintage buttons and pins for pennies at flea markets and yard sales.
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Step 2
The easiest way to clothing, like camisoles, T-shirts and blouses, skirts, or jeans, is to sew on an applique.For a more personal design, use a fabric pencil to draw a pattern on the material. (Look online for henna patterns or tattoo templates. Think paisleys, florals, vines and swirls. If you're lucky, the material might already have a pattern that you can follow.) Determine a color scheme and then sew on the beads or sequins, one by one. If you're pressed for time or are not concerned with making a lasting fashion statement, use fabric glue to affix the beads and sequins. Just keep in mind that this method is much less permanent.If you're really brave--or really creative, you can embroider a design onto the fabric.
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Step 3
To give your old clothes a hip "edge," simply sew a ribbon or fabric border to the edge. You can sew a row of pompoms or fringe to a skirt bottom, for example, for a sassy, bolero effect. Or add a wide strip of interesting fabric to the edge of your capri pants for a unique fashion statement. Add ruffled lace or fabric to the wrist edges of tired old shirts or a faux fur collar to a cardigan that's out of style.
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Step 4
Most people associate fabric dye with batik and tie-dye, but you can also use dye to simply revive or change the color of your old old clothes. A dye is even available to deepen the color of denim. Be sure to wear rubber gloves and follow the package directions closely.
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Step 5
Everyone has more T-shirts than they know what to do with. Don't donate your extras to the rag bag just yet. Using just a pair of scissors, you can cut a T-shirt into a new garment--without even picking up a needle and thread. This takes a bit of imagination and planning, but the results can be amazing.First, find a garment you want to mimic--a halter top, for example. Using a fabric pencil, approximate the cut of the garment by drawing on the T-shirt. Then cut --carefully. To finish, adorn with beads or ribbon.If you're a bit timid about creating a new garment, you can simply cut fringe into the old T-shirt
