Customising clothes - DIY craft ideas

by Rosie Collins

Charity shop clothes tend to be almost - but not quite - right. These crafty DIY clothes customisation tips will help you fix shoes that are too small, add a lacy twist, create eighties shoulder pads and a few other bits and bobs...

Picture this; you're in your local Charity Shop, and you see a mooky jumper. You like it, the price is right, but maybe it's just a bit too... plain? Why not embellish it, or give it a lacy twist? These DIY clothing tips will help you customise anything from shoes a size too small, to a boring dress that fits you perfectly.

What to do if your 'perfect' shoes are too small

If you wish you could stretch them AMAZING shoes you spotted, this is a great solution! Please note: It will only work if they're only a size/half a size smaller than your feet.

• Get a plastic bag (no holes)
• Fill it with water
• Tie it tightly
• Place it in the shoe
• Place the shoe into your freezer
• Wait overnight
• The ice has expanded your shoe!
• Repeat on the other shoe. Genius!

Adding lace to clothing

If you want a cheap wardrobe update or feel that dress you purchased from the charity shop is a looking a bit upset, give it a nice lace detail.

Adding lace to Tops/Dresses:

• Work out the measurements of the collar/neck of your top
• Buy some lace and cut it to fit around the collar as if it were a necklace
• Sew it onto the collar of your dress
• Voila!

Adding lace to Trousers/Skirts:

• Work out the measurements around the hem of the skirt/trouser legs
• Buy lace accordingly, and cut it to fit around the hem/s
• Sew it onto the hem/s
• Enjoy!

More crafty tips to custom clothing...

Learn to relish to embellish.

This is a more long-term project. You'll have to save up enough accessories, like beads, buttons and chains, to be able to embellish your clothing. Charity shops are normally amazing for accessories, but so is your mum/nan's house! Ask if they have any old jewellery or buttons they don't want anymore... you might be surprised by how many treasures they have hidden! But when you're done collecting, here's a helping hand:

• Embellish some shoulder-pads and attach them to your dress/jumper/top.
• Make a pretty pattern with sewn-on beads, a la topshop jumpers.
• Put chains on the top of your jeans.

More: Arts & Crafts, How-Tos and Odd Hobbies on Mookychick