Are you starting to notice wear and tear on your clothing?
Are you interested in making your wardrobe last a little longer, for the purposes of not breaking the bank or just living more sustainably?
Then it’s time to pull out your Bernina Sewing Machine! There are so many things that you can do to spruce up some of your favorite old items and extend their life a little further. And you don’t need to spend a fortune or look like a ragamuffin. Let’s get into it!
Step One – Review Your Clothing
To begin, take stock of your wardrobe. Pay special attention to cuffs, hems and collars. These are the areas that tend to show wear first, as they are high stress areas that rub against the body as well as your environment.
Step Two – Dig Into Your Fabric Stash
After you’ve chosen the clothing pieces you want to mend, it’s time to find fabric. The safest choice is a solid or similarly patterned coordinating fabric, but don’t be afraid to have a little fun here. You can also incorporate a pop of color with a contrasting fabric, or a patterned fabric in a coordinating color. This would be especially attractive if you need to replace a collar and cuffs on a shirt!
These are the most important factors to consider when choosing a fabric:
- It is the same weight and texture as the original fabric
- It requires the same care as the original fabric
- It has the same general composition as the original fabric
Step Three – Remove the Tattered Pieces
Remove the original cuffs, collar, or hem—you may want to take some pictures of the original so you have something to refer to as you work. Be very careful as you remove your pieces, as they relate to the next and very important part of this process…
Use the removed piece(s) as a pattern for your new replacement design. You can trace these old pieces to paper, then use that paper to cut your fabrics and create the new pieces, or you can use the old piece as a pattern to cut your fabric. Tracing the old pieces to paper first ensures you don’t accidentally cut through the old pieces, which may or may not be a concern for you.
Step Four – Sew the New Pieces to Your Clothes
Follow the original grain line with your machine, so that the cuffs/collar/hem will lay properly. Remember to iron your fabric pieces before sewing to ensure a neat and even finish.
Once you have the proper pattern, the rest is simple sewing. Attach your new piece of fabric exactly where the original was, sewing it into place.
Gone are the days of throwing out shirts at the first sign of a tattered look. Use your BERNINA machine to give your wardrobe a makeover, today!