How to Reconstruct & Refashion Thrift Store Clothing

Seek out those treasures at the thrift store.

Shopping at a thrift store is not only easy on the budget, but it promotes creativity and style. You can reconstruct and refashion thrift store clothing with a few tools and a little imagination. You not only can have an entirely new wardrobe, but you'll have some spending money left in your pocket at the end of the day. You can create a top and skirt out of a simple thrift store dress or use a formal gown to create a top for an evening out.

Things You'll Need

• Iron
• Scissors
• Thread
• Measuring tape
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine

Instructions

1. Purchase an evening gown from a thrift store. Choose one with a top that would look great on its own as a blouse for evening wear. You might want to find something with a sequin top or a strapless, fitted corset top.

2. Lay the dress on a sewing table and mark the place where you will cut the dress. You will want the top to be a length that will fit you, so measure your torso before cutting.

3. Use your scissors to cut through both layers of the dress at the waist where you have marked. Set aside the bottom of the dress for another project.
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4. Fold the bottom of the blouse up toward the inside 1/4 of an inch and press with an iron. Fold another 1/4 of the blouse up toward the inside and press with the iron again. Pin the bottom of the blouse in place and top-stitch the hem using a thread color that matches the fabric of the blouse.

5. Try on your new garment to make sure that it fits. Make adjustments as necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to try on thrift store garments before leaving the store to make sure that you buy the correct size.

References

• Thrifty Fun: Make Last Year's Dress Into This Year's Blouse
• Sew What's New: Refashion and Recycle