Ill considered clothing purchases needn't be relegated to the back of the closet. You can assess the problem with the garment and devise a solution that will have you looking your best. We tackled a tea gown that was a trifle too tight, a sweet little pique party dress with sad gas faded ribbon and a shirtwaist with a cigarette hole in it.

The tea gown was not only too tight, it was also a touch too short. By separating the bodice from the skirt and finishing off the waist seam with grosgrain ribbon we created a beautiful garden party skirt. The bodice, when split up the front and seamed up the back became a lovely little bolero jacket.

The party dress simply needed its ribbon replaced. We removed the lace trim, took the ribbon off the lace, replaced it with some bright Kelly green grosgrain ribbon and put the lace back on. As a finishing touch we added a few new bows and the dress is a good as new!

The hole in the shirtwaist was in the lower third of the dress, so it was an easy fix to cut it off just above the hole, put in a hem and it's now perfect to wear as an over blouse with some smart black bell bottoms.

It's not difficult to rescue a garment you like but can't use for some reason from the donate pile. All it takes is a little imagination and a few stitches here and there.

Episode 211 Main Page