Breezy, Stress-Free, and Creative Alteration Solutions for your Existing Wardrobe - Part 1
Are you looking for ways to spruce up your existing wardrobe?
Do you want a refreshed look without breaking the bank?
Do you have clothes that you would love to wear but don’t because of a minor fit issue?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then give these easy and fun alterations a try! These ideas are meant to be flexible and inspiring—get creative with how you apply them and try a variety of materials and colors. You can use these techniques on your existing wardrobe or apply them to in-progress sewing projects. The possibilities are endless—and so breezy!
No cut options! Many of these solutions do not require you to cut or seam-rip the existing garment to complete the alteration. These are marked with: (*No cut option!)
To demonstrate the techniques for this post, I made a version of The Cardinal Blouse – Free Sewing Pattern out of Minerva Heathered Black Lightweight Linen Chambray.
COMING UP IN THIS POST:
How to Shorten or Lengthen your Sleeves
- How to Extend a Sleeve by Adding a Cuff
- How to Extend a Sleeve by Adding an Insert
- How to Shorten a Sleeve with Decorative Embroidery
- How to Shorten a Sleeve with the “Puff & Cuff”
How to Cinch the Sleeve Openings on your Top
- Option 1 – How to Finish the Cinch with a Button & Elastic Loop
- Option 2 – How to Finish the Cinch with a Button & Chain Stitch Loop
- Option 3 – How to Finish the Cinch with a Button & Buttonhole
- Option 4 – How to Finish the Cinch with Decorative Embroidery
HOW TO SHORTEN OR LENGTHEN YOUR SLEEVES
Try shortening or lengthening your sleeves with these easy alts.
How to Extend a Sleeve by Adding a Cuff (*No cut option!)
Lengthen your sleeve by adding a cuff made from trim or a fabric panel.
Step 1
Decide how long your extension needs to be. Measure from the end of the garment to the place on your wrist you would like the new sleeve to end.
Step 2
Choose a trim that is wider than the length you want to cover (remember seam allowance!). You could alternately cut a small panel of fabric. I chose a wide lace trim for my example.
Step 3
Measure the width of the garment where the extension will be added. I need a length of 10”, plus I’m adding ½” seam allowance at each end, for a total length of 11”.
Step 4
Sew the ends of the trim segment together to form a tube. Press seam open.
Step 5
Pin the tube onto the existing sleeve and sew. I decided to place the lace on top of the sleeve because I liked the way it looked. I kept the “peaks” of the lace 3 1/2” from the end of the sleeve. I then hand-sewed on the trim with thread of a matching color. Ta-da!
How to Extend a Sleeve by Adding an Insert
Lengthen your sleeve by adding an insert made from trim or a fabric panel.
Step 1
Decide how long your extension needs to be. Find a trim in the desired width or cut a small panel of fabric for the insert. I used this trim.
Step 2
Decide where on the sleeve you would like to add the extension. Simply cut along this line (do not remove any fabric).
Step 3
Measure the width of the garment where the extension will be added. I need a length of about 14”, plus I’m adding 1” of fold-over length at each end, for a total length of 16”.
Step 4
I liked how the trim was finished, so I placed it on top of the existing sleeve and stitched around, attaching it to the edge. Fold the end of the trim under, matching seams for a clean look.
Step 5
Stitch the other side of the trim to the remaining section of sleeve with a matching thread.
How to Shorten a Sleeve with Decorative Embroidery (*No cut option!)
Shorten your sleeve by folding under the excess and securing with embroidery stitches.
Step 1
Fold under the amount to be “removed”.
Step 2
Pin in place, evening out any ease.
Step 3
Use an embroidery needle and embroidery floss to sew together. I used three strands of floss in this example to produce thick, noticeable stitches. I embroidered a simple X pattern to stitch the fold in place, but you could use any embroidery stitch you desire. The possibilities are endless!
How to Shorten a Sleeve with the “Puff & Cuff” (*No cut option!)
Shorten your sleeve by gathering a quick and cute puff and securing it in place with an “arm cuff”. Try applying this technique to sleeves of different fullness and material for a variety of puff shapes. Make the “arm cuff” out of trim for a decorative touch.
Note: This alteration is most easily performed on the arm of a dress form or with another arm-shaped object within the sleeve for structure.
Step 1
Pull the sleeve fullness up toward the shoulder, gathering enough fabric to produce the desired length at the wrist.
Step 2
Decide where on the arm to place the trim. I chose to place mine at the height where the fullness began to taper. Cut the trim to the length that will make the desired circumference (remember seam allowance!).
Step 3
Finesse the fabric into place by evening out any ease under the trim. Blouse the sleeve fullness above the trim.
Step 4
Stitch the trim in place with matching thread.
HOW TO CINCH THE SLEEVE OPENINGS ON YOUR TOP
Get your sleeves out of the way with this decorative hack, finished in one of four ways. Try notions in different colors to suit your taste!
Begin with the steps below and then choose a finishing option (all four demonstrated on the sleeve below). This alteration is most easily performed on the arm of a dress form or with another arm-shaped object within the sleeve for structure.
Step 1
Decide where on the circumference of the wrist you would like to place the alteration.
Step 2
Gather excess fabric and fold over, matching edges with the rest of the sleeve. I chose to place my fold on the outside of the wrist, folding toward the back. I also chose to pin my fold at the base for easy distinction and to retain its shape.
Option 1 – How to Finish the Cinch with a Button & Elastic Loop (*No cut option!)
Step 1
Cut a length of elastic cord to make a loop that will work with your button size.
Step 2
Place the ends of the elastic cord at the desired location under the folded edge to form the loop. Stitch in place.
Step 3
Mark the spot for button placement (I like to do this through the middle of the loop after it has been sewn on).
Step 4
Sew on button at marked location.
Option 2 – How to Finish the Cinch with a Button & Chain Stitch Loop (*No cut option!)
Step 1
Sew on button at desired location.
Step 2
Insert needle with embroidery floss at the edge of the fold in corresponding location.
Step 3
Create a chain stitch long enough to snugly loop around the button.
Step 4
Finish the chain stitch by pulling the needle through the last loop and tightening it. Then insert the needle through the fabric close to where the chain began and tie off.
Option 3 – How to Finish the Cinch with a Button & Buttonhole
Step 1
Cut a small slit for a buttonhole, long enough to work with your chosen buttons, at the desired location.
Step 2
Using an embroidery needle and embroidery floss, finish the buttonhole by performing the buttonhole stitch around the opening. You can get different results by varying the number of strands of embroidery thread (I used 3 in my example), the length of the stitches, and colors.
Option 4 – How to Finish the Cinch with Decorative Embroidery (*No cut option!)
Step 1
Pin the fold over onto the sleeve to hold in place while stitching. Decide where you would like your embroidery stitches to begin and end. Mark if desired.
Step 2
Use an embroidery needle and floss to sew the fold to the sleeve. I used three strands of floss in this example to produce thick, noticeable stitches. I sewed a simple X pattern, but you could use any decorative stitch that you wish!
What do you think of these breezy alterations? Let us know how you choose to apply them to your garments.
Would you like to see more creative and easy alterations like these? If so, you’re in luck! Be on the lookout for part 2, coming soon!
