Turn a dress into a skirt

• 1). Cut the bodice off two inches above the waistline.
  
  
• 2). If the dress has a back zipper, remove the old zipper and insert a new 7" or 9" zipper starting at the waistline seam.
  
  
• 3). Attach fusible interfacing to the fabric above the zipper.
  
  
• 4). Fold the interfaced fabric in half to form the waistband.
  
  
• 5). Add hook and eye, snaps or button and button hole to finish the waistband.
  
  
• 6). Shorten the skirt if desired.
  
  

Give Your Favorite Pair of Pants a Facelift

• 1). Visit your local fabric or craft store and select fusible appliqués that will compliment your pants.
  
  
• 2). Practice placing your appliqués in several different positions on your pants to determine what looks is best.
  
  
• 3). Fuse the appliqués into place.
  
  
• 4). Use zigzag stitches to anchor the appliqués so that they will remain in place during laundering or dry cleaning.
  
  

Convert a Full Skirt into a Straight Skirt

• 1). Remove the skirt hem with a seam ripper.
  
  
• 2). Measure your hips.
  
  
• 3). Turn the skirt inside out and lay it on a cutting table.
  
  
• 4). Mark the side seams according to your hip measurements.
  
  
• 5). Add one and a half inch on each side for ease and seam allowance.
  
  
• 6). Use tailor's chalk to mark the cutting lines straight down from the hip to the hem.
  
  
• 7). Cut the side seams along the chalk cutting lines.
  
  
• 8). Sew the side seams.
  
  
• 9). Hem the skirt.
  
  

Give a Blouse a New Lease on Life

• 1). Remove the buttons from your old blouse.
  
  
• 2). Purchase a package of fabric dye.
  
  
• 3). Purchase new buttons.
  
  
• 4). Follow the dye instructions to change the color of your blouse.
  
  
• 5). Use double-sided fusible web to attach ribbon to the blouse front, collar and cuffs.
  
  
• 6). Add the new buttons.