Elise's Sewing Studio

Category: How to Upcycle Clothing

  • Host your own clothing swap

    Host your own clothing swap

    If you have clothes you don’t wear anymore but are in good condition, consider hosting a clothing swap! Why host a clothing swap? A clothing swap helps people: Clothing swaps allow people to add to their wardrobe at no cost. Plus, it’s fun! This can be a great get-together for friends, colleagues, faith groups, or…

  • How to Save Money Sewing

    How to Save Money Sewing

    Sewing is one of those hobbies that has the potential to either cost a lot or it can save you money depending on how you approach it. Sewing machines, tools, fabric, and patterns can all add up. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Here are my suggestions on how you can save money…

  • Sew Tulle Tiers on a Dress

    Sew Tulle Tiers on a Dress

    Recently, there was an event where my daughter needed a formal dress. We had a dress but wanted to make it a bit more special. So we decided to sew tulle to the skirt to make it more “twirlable” and fuller. I also added another skirt layer out of taffeta to be a bit longer…

  • How to sew clothes bigger

    How to sew clothes bigger

    Have you wondered if it is possible to sew clothes bigger? Tailor like a pro: How to Sew Clothes Bigger to Achieve the Perfect Fit In this article, I’ve come up with ideas to change too-tight clothing into pieces that you’ll be able to love wearing again. Whether it’s helping a dress that won’t zip…

  • Fabric Spray Dye Project Fun

    It’s summertime, and I spend less time at the sewing machine, but I’m looking for fabric-related projects I can do outside. I was thinking about dye projects I could do outside, such as fabric spray dye. I had a box of Marabu Fashion Spray Tie Dye kit I hadn’t used yet, and it was time…

  • How to straighten bootcut jeans

    How to straighten bootcut jeans

    A fairly quick way to update old jeans is to adjust the fit through the leg. I’ll show you a trick I have to sew around those bulky topstitched seams so you can straighten bootcut jeans. This also works for reducing the flare on flared jeans. You can apply this technique anywhere you want to…

  • DIY Cloud Tutu Halloween Costume

    DIY Cloud Tutu Halloween Costume

    Making a DIY cloud tutu from tulle This skirt is actually the bottom part of a rainbow costume – but I thought I would do a tutorial on how to make a DIY cloud tutu first, and then a separate post on the rainbow portion. I actually made this skirt from bridal hems that would…

  • Natural Tie Dye Tshirt process

    Natural Tie Dye Tshirt process

    Making a natural tie dye Tshirt is a bit of an experiment I love taking something that isn’t being used any more, and make it into something new. This was an unloved old white Tshirt. I looked around my kitchen for items to dye it.I came up with paprika, salt and onion skins. Making a…

  • Sew a maxi dress into a skirt

    Sew a maxi dress into a skirt

    I’ve been doing a lot of “shopping in my closet” lately, and I thought I’d share my latest project where I sew a maxi dress into a skirt. Sure, shopping in the store or buying patterns is great. But in this quick beginner sewing tutorial, I’ll show you how I got a “new” skirt in…

  • Alterations aren’t boring.

    Sometimes it seems like people who sew love to hate alterations. If that’s you, I’d love to change your mind! First of all, I have a question for you. Why did you start to sew? Might it have something to do with the following: I have an interest in all of the above. I started…