How to Customize copy-cat clothing

Clothing these days is so overly mass produced that it's hard to shop chain stores and still retain your individuality-until now!

Things You'll Need

• Open mind
• creativity
• chain store clothing from stores like, Old Navy, Gap, American Eagle, etc.
• embellishments
• sewing machine or a needle and thread

Instructions

1. It's hard to find unique clothing that's also affordable. You can go to boutiques to find semi-unique items, usually for a pretty steep price. You can go to a thrift store, but you may not find quite what you're looking for. Only you know what you would like to wear-not retailers. What better way to express your creativity and individuality than through your clothing.

2. We all have them, clothing from mass-produced retail chains. I'm not against then, I shop at these stores too, I just think that a lot of them are a little too, shall I say,'cookie-cutter' for my taste. I buy things like basic tanks and tees at stores like Old Navy or JCpenney and alter some of them to make them look a little more... boutique (is that even a word)?lol

3. Find the item you would like to alter. Next, gather up things you have around like buttons, ribbon, elastic, fabric pens, lace, ruffles, brooches, patches, appliques. Some of these you can even get by deconstructing other garments.

4. Here are some ideas for a tank top...
   -Sew buttons around the collar in a contracting or even mismatched color.
   -Sew elastic inside under the bust for a more fitted look.
   -Iron on a patch over a logo you don't like.
   -Make an applique out of an old pair of jeans or old shirt and cut out into the shape of a flower and sew onto the tank.
   -Add lace to the bottom for a different look.
   -Cut the straps off and make your own out of different fabric, ruffles, lace or ribbon.
   -Draw a picture or abstract design onto the shirt with fabric markers.
   The possibilities are endless...

Tips & Warnings

• Let your clothing reflect your unique personality.

• Be creative and have fun!

• This would be a perfect project for a girls sleep over or a Project Runway marathon!!!!!!!