It’s Sew Easy: Change Is in the Air

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This season, today’s leading designers and sewing experts share ideas for creating and recreating versatile, stylish new fashions.

Upcycle Your Closet

Change is in the air. Designer Angela Wolf combines two denim shirts to create a cute shirt dress. Then, she begins a series of lessons in designing and sewing a denim dress from the beginning. Upcycling expert Michelle Paganini modifies sleeves on a men’s shirt to create new looks.

Alter What You Own

Give new life to old favorites. Sewing teacher and author Rebecca Kemp Brent alters fashions with gussets for a new fit. Pattern designer Angela Wolf adds a front placket to a shirt dress. Curvy fashion expert Jenny Rushmore eliminates darts to create flattering princess seams.

New Looks

Make the ordinary extraordinary. DIY fashion expert Jane Monzures embellishes plain shirts and makes accessories with zippers. Sewing instructor Joanne Banko makes an elegant padded hanger to keep clothes looking great. Designer Jessica Stewart uses collage design concepts to mash up patterns and colors for beautiful kids fashions.

Changing Trends

Follow the trends, or create them yourself. Cosplay costumer Cheryl Sleboda makes lightweight, wearable shoulder armor. Fashion expert Angela Wolf adds a collar to a denim dress. Designer Linda Lee shares techniques for sewing today’s trendiest open-weave fabrics.

Quick Change Artist

Change it up – quickly. Plus-size fashion designer Jenny Rushmore shares pattern hacks to give new looks to a basic tank top. Fashion expert Angela Wolf adds a placket to the shirt dress sleeve. Sewing teacher and embellishment expert Joanne Banko uses couching techniques to add texture and special effects to a collar.

Transformations

Transform what’s old into something new. Designer Angela Wolf upcycles an ordinary sweater to make it new again. Then, she sews the sleeves and the sides of the denim dress. Blogger and sewing teacher Joanne Banko uses scarves and lightweight fabrics to create a flowing and fashionable kimono-style blouse.

Interchangeable Looks

Get more mileage out of garments with interchangeable looks. Designer and DIY expert Jane Monzures makes a cool apron from some favorite t-shirts. Redesign maker Laura Pifer restyles a t-shirt by adding bell sleeves. Joanne Banko adds a couture touch to ready-to-wear and jazzes it up with machine embroidery.

Convertible Clothes

With a little creativity, clothing becomes convertible. Designer Laura Pifer rescues a men’s shirt and adds ribbing and a zipper to create a trendy bomber jacket. Fashion expert Angela Wolf adds cuffs to the denim shirt dress. Then, she creates a cozy sweater jacket from a giant square of fabric.

Accessorize Up or Down

Change the accessories and change the whole look. Garment sewing enthusiast Joanne Banko creates her own custom accents with closures and embellishments on belts. Illustrator Felice Regina appliques a cute cross-body bag with a bunny and moon motif. Using the latest technology, sewing expert Rebecca Kemp Brent creates a charming vintage parasol.

Fashion Versatility

Build in versatility to keep up with changing fashions. Cosplay designer Cheryl Sleboda uses metal grommets to create a changeable costume skirt. Fashion designer Angela Wolf places buttons and buttonholes on the denim shirt dress. Children’s designer Jessica Stewart uses her artful eye to mix fabrics and add trims for endless design opportunities.

Jazz Up Ready-to-Wear

Let’s jazz things up. Fashion re-designer Laura Pifer transforms a t-shirt into a fashion-forward halter dress. Embellishment expert Joanne Banko shares her favorite tips for needle felting. DIY sewer Jane Monzures uses her favorite design hacks to refashion jeans for a runway look.

Home Dec Makeover

Make over things at home to reflect your style. Teacher and author Rebecca Kemp Brent creates decorative bands for pillows you can change with the seasons. Sewing instructor Joanne Banko makes over a simple table napkin for a designer look. Quilter and needle worker Cheryl Sleboda uses simple stitches to create elegant texture on a pillow cover.

Add or Subtract

Add a little here and take a way a little there. Fashion re-creator Laura Pifer uses a serger to make a cocoon jacket with batwing sleeves. Pattern designer Angela Wolf finishes the denim shirt dress project with a rolled hem. Fabric designer and illustrator Felice Regina adds style and charm to clothing and accessories with border prints.