Trends from past decades almost always resurface, bringing a fun, retro aspect to our everyday look. Luckily, re-occurring fashions give opportunity for great vintage finds and classic, original pieces costing next to nothing. Second hand and consignment stores are bursting with quality pieces from the past; but you’ve got to be willing to spend some time searching and sifting for what you want. Keep your creative eyes open, because an item you may pass up could possess serious possibility with a little thrift-style makeover.
Here are a few favorite ways to reinvent your secondhand finds for great gifting!
The Old T-Shirt
You can’t go wrong with this one. The material is soft, the screen print is perfectly worn, and in size XL, the extra material makes for a perfect makeover.
Starting at the shoulder-sleeve seam, remove sleeve and cut down the side seam, removing the desired amount of fabric. Do this to both sides. Next, measure the trim of one side of your t-shirt and cut the crochet to appropriate length. Sew the crocket to the back trim of the t-shirt, and then do the same to the front trim. Pin appropriate armholes, and sew your two new crochet trims together, leaving the armhole open with a top stitch.
The Floral Floor-Length Dress
Maybe your grandmother donated this dress, but with a little TLC you will be sporting a dress similar to those worn by celebrities for a day out in the city.
Vintage floral patterns and denim dresses are all the rage at the moment, and a second hand store will surely have many options. Whichever route you choose, floral or denim, quickly bring this dress to live by cropping it to a mini and sewing a tailored seam. Turn the dress into a tank by removing sleeves, or rock them rolled up. Use a cute belt to tailor the dress at the waist, and voila!
The Flannel
Score an old, cozy over-sized flannel and soften its look with pops of lace.
Decide how lacy you want to get. You can keep it simply covering the top half of the back of the flannel, with a seam that runs from underarm to underarm and to the tops of your shoulders, following the line of the collar. Use pins to keep the lace in place, and sew your lace on top of the already existing flannel for a funky look. Consider adding simple, oval elbow patches of lace for extra embellishment.