How to Alter Clothes: Easy Alteration Ideas
Sometimes re-imagining and tweaking what you already have can be all an outfit needs to highlight your unique shape.
These ideas are perfect for anyone who wants to know how to alter clothes without the high cost or sewing skills of a tailor.
I’m using various kinds of insta-buttons or crystal and colored pins as no-sew fashion hacks to restyle and alter clothing in new ways.
Tools and materials:
- Oversized clothes
- Waist tighteners
- Jeans button pins
1. Button-up cardigan
Use three of the gold pins from the waist tighteners as buttons.
Overlap the front edges of an open cardigan.
Push the pointed end of the pin through from front to back and clip the closure on to the other side.
Listen for the click that tells you it’s locked in place.
2. Adjust skirt waist
I used two crystal pins on one side to make a low waisted skirt into one that sits on my waist.
Fold the side seam over to hide the zipper and pin. When you push the pin through, make sure you have enough of it showing on the inside for the backing to attach to.
It works the same way as the back of an earring fastener.
3. Make a neckline narrower
Sometimes a wide neckline is more flattering when given a halter effect.
I made a pleat either side of center and held them in place with gold pins.
4. Make a 20 second skirt
I made this wrap skirt from a strip of fabric.
Fold it to the right length.
Wrap it around yourself and secure it with a pin or two about a third of the way across your body.
5. Cuff shirt sleeves and jeans hems
I like loose sleeved t-shirts but often find myself cuffing them and the cuffs rarely stay in place.
Turn up the cuff and place a few pins through it.
Use the same idea with a jeans button on jean shorts.
6. Pinched waist effect
This is huge right now and so cute!
Use the waist tighteners, which are basically giant hooks and eyes, for this. Place one at each side of the pleat and hook them together.
I took an oversized jacket, put a set on each side of the front and one in the center of the back to make a tapered dress.
7. Reduce overall volume
I made this fringed dress and I love it, but it’s hard to take it in without the fringe bunching up.
I altered this in two different ways. First, I used the waist tighteners to make a center back pleat.
I also used the individual crystal buttons to hold the pleat in place.
I made a single pleat in the back of a long dress, using the pleat to accentuate the pattern.
8. Alter jeans waistband
These jeans were a bit too loose at the waist. I added a second jeans button an inch or so from the original one.
9. Tapered cuffs
These are a real vibe now. Create two big pleats at the front of your jeans near the hem. Pin the pleats together.
You don’t need to pin through the leg of the jeans as well.
10. Split front shirt
It can be hard to make these look good in photos. Models usually tuck one side out of the way.
Now you can pin the front and back together on one or both sides to get the same effect permanently.
A flat material may give a better result than a shiny one.
11. Rolled shirt cuffs
Pop one pin into the cuff to stop it unrolling.
12. Buttoned maxi skirt
I didn’t like the original buttons on this skirt or that it was low waisted.
I cut off the buttons.
I wrapped the side of the skirt that had the buttons over the buttonhole side at the front. I put two pins on the waistband and two down the center front.
How to alter clothes
With these ideas, not only can you learn how to alter your own clothes to celebrate your body.
You can also manipulate the design and styling of the clothing in ways that are unique to you and your personal style.
Keep these pins in a box somewhere convenient, because you’ll be reaching for them often!
Do you like these ideas? Can you see how you can use them? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Next, learn How to Ombre Dye Flannel Shirts.
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I am not familiar with these either, but you have done some amazing alterations using them!!! Fantastic ideas and soo creative!!!
Yes i well