this post was submitted on 16 Jul 2026
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Whether it's taking in the waist, making shorts from pants, or something entirely new, how do you like to hack up your wardrobe?

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[–] hildegarde@lemmy.blahaj.zone 23 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Wifey adds pockets to everything.

[–] Wren@lemmy.today 15 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Excellent. One of the few ways to actually get pockets these days.

[–] birdwing@lemmy.blahaj.zone 9 points 1 week ago (2 children)

There's some good change in that though! the other day I bought a dress for everyday stuff, and only in hindsight discovered it has pockets!

Admittedly, not very strong ones since the fabric is thin, but nonetheless, actual pockets in which a phone could fit (yay)!

[–] Wren@lemmy.today 12 points 1 week ago (1 children)

The best thing about a dress with pockets is showing everyone your dress has pockets.

[–] Ziglin@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

And having pockets.

[–] dkppunk@piefed.social 6 points 1 week ago

I was looking at dresses the other day and overheard a lady comment how cute the one she was looking at is and how much she loved it. Then she goes “oh, it doesn’t have pockets. Back it goes!” I told her I’m glad I’m not the only one who shops for pockets lol

I found a really cute dress with pockets at Costco, so I bought 2!!

[–] velma@sh.itjust.works 7 points 1 week ago

This is a genius move.

[–] velma@sh.itjust.works 14 points 1 week ago (3 children)

I almost always recycle my jeans into shorts!

I also like to reinforce buttons (they always feel so loose on new clothes!).

Several old band T-shirts have had the sleeves cut off and made into tank tops. I like to make crop-top T-shirts out of old shirts, too! I used to skateboard, so several of the older ones have holes from where I fell, but I like the design too much to let them go completely.

[–] Wren@lemmy.today 7 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Have you heard of visible mending? It's the art of mending rips and holes to make them stand out as artistic features. Reddit had a great visible mending community that's unfortunately lacking on lemmy.

[–] velma@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Yes!! Great subreddit with great submissions. I really enjoyed seeing the mending projects there.

I think it looks really neat!

[–] Wren@lemmy.today 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It's how I learned to embroider and do shashiko!Maybe I should start a lemmy one.

[–] velma@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] pea@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 week ago

That makes two of us (....and counting).

[–] hildegarde@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 1 week ago

My pants always wear through the crotch before the legs. I want to recycle like that, but crotchless pants really aren't my style.

Its incredible what commercial sewing machines can do! They can sew on a button, but what they can't do is tie a knot. So the buttons will work themselves loose eventually. I need to fix a few thanks for the reminder.

[–] dkppunk@piefed.social 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Any tips on altering tshirts? Or recommendations on a good website for ideas? I have a bunch of nerdy, gamer, TMNT, bookish shirts that are all just basic Ts. I want to alter them into v-necks and other styles.

I used to have a book Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-shirt but I donated it a long time ago. It was great and I really wish I had kept it.

[–] velma@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-shirt

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ej9slX36xxlw-qpbInssfgOaaMm6KFbs/view

How about a PDF version of that book for ya?

I don't have many tips myself, I am very much a tackle it with no instructions kind of DIY person hahaha

[–] dkppunk@piefed.social 3 points 1 week ago

Sweet! Thank you! That will tide me over until I get a paper copy that I’ve been to lazy to buy lol

[–] DaniNatrix@leminal.space 9 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I was joking with my friend the other day that I wanted to resurrect the crinoline lol. I'd love a huge radius of fabric between me and other people. A swishy, pretty force field, so to speak.

[–] Wren@lemmy.today 4 points 1 week ago

Imagine all the loot you could hide in there.

[–] MystValkyrie@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

Damn, that's what my wardrobe is missing: battle armor.

If I find a top with a good material in the men's section, I take it in so it's more fitted around the waist and hips. I also patch up ripped stuff and darn socks. Once I tried to put a shoulder pen pocket on one of my flannels, but that was a mistake haha. I also have patches for most of my favorite bands sewn on a denim jacket, if that counts.

[–] velma@sh.itjust.works 4 points 1 week ago

If I find a top with a good material in the men’s section, I take it in so it’s more fitted around the waist and hips.

Oh I should try that next! I have shortened the sleeves on men's shirts before, but haven't touched the side seams.

[–] proudblond@lemmy.world 6 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I picked up sewing during the pandemic and now I hardly ever buy new clothes; I just sew them. The exception is jeans; I haven’t been brave enough to try them yet.

[–] quinacridone@mander.xyz 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

So jealous, I have a sewing machine but my "skills" are very basic, however I'm planning on upping my game soonish when I have more time, that plus knitting and crotchet

I just want quality well designed clothes that last and look somewhat decent on me

[–] proudblond@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago

Totally! I’m pretty frugal (cheap) so I don’t often spend a whole lot on fabric, but I ask for nice stuff as gifts and that works great. One of the reasons I always wanted to learn is because I’m short waisted and I found that store-bought clothes often have seams or belts in the middle and look awful on me. So now I can choose patterns that elongate my torso (or modify them to remove the seam).

I’ve learned a lot via the school of YouTube, after taking a single beginner’s class. The class helped me get comfortable with the machine.

[–] hedge_lord@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago

Pockets must be extended to double size at least! I've also become significantly more active in the past five years so some waist alterations were needed.

This isn't an alteration, but my next project is to make a bucket hat!

[–] wolfrasin@lemmy.today 5 points 1 week ago

Wearing a pocket belt everywhere gets me so much respect for my physical space. Folks who would harass me assume I'm armed, dangerous and not worth the risk. Cool folks compliment my cool belt. My belt has normal purse stuff in it & it's perfect

[–] Okokimup@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago

I cap my sleeves because I love the look but it's hard to find in plus size stuff. I also take in the waist if I've bought something second hand that's slightly too big.

[–] Repelle@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago

I recently started doing slit weave mostly because I have a million band tshirts I never wear because I hate unisex tshirts.

I absolutely love the look and it’s easier than I thought it would be

[–] dkppunk@piefed.social 4 points 1 week ago

All the time. I’m in this weird height range where tall length pants are too long and average length are just a bit too short, so I usually take the hem out of the bottom.

I also have a Yoshi image from a t-shirt that I bought like 20 years ago. When the shirt gets too worn, I sew Yoshi onto a new shirt I get from the craft store. I get SO MANY compliments on that shirt.

[–] Pipster@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 1 week ago

I've put the very occasional dart in something but thats about it.

[–] FilthyShrooms@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

Anti-bird jacket