Four DIYs to Update Your Winter Wardrobe

In a winter rut? Save money and update your winter wardrobe with these 4 easy DIYs that take minutes to complete and won’t break the bank!

With the spring season just weeks away, I’m not too inclined to throw cash on a winter trend. In the same breath, that’s the most crucial time for an update because the last weeks of winter are so draaaaaaab – my wardrobe should NOT be in the same category. Right? You betcha! Using items from your closet and winter fashion trends, I’m sharing four EASY ways to give your winter wardrobe a facelift.

The first trend, SUEDE.

We are seeing suede EVERYWHERE right now so when I spotted this Leather Pocket Cardigan at Barneys (here), it was love at first sight!
All you need is a sweater, scissors, sewing supplies, and some faux suede from your fabric store. You want enough yardage for pockets – so not much at all!

1. If your sweater, cardigan, or blouse already has a pocket, outline it onto paper;
2. Add seam allowance – that paper will become your new pocket pattern.
3. Using your pattern, cut the pocket out of your fabric;
4. Hem pocket openings;
5. Iron seam allowances (you may need to use a pressing cloth depending on your faux suede, so it does not melt);
6. Pin pocket onto your garment and sew it into place. No alterations or major reconstruction! Easy right?

7. **If your garment does NOT have a pocket, make one and add to the garment as seen below.

Next up is that cool Side Slit Hem trend.

From the gowns spotted on the Red Carpet to skirts and blouses and now sweaters; the side slit detail, as seen in this Stella McCartney Sweater (seen here), is so popular and so incredibly easy to do yourself! You will need a long sweater, scissors, matching thread, and sewing supplies.

1. Turn your sweater inside out and remove some of the side seam with your scissors, as seen below,
2. Turn your raw edges under to the inside of your sweater and pin it into place.
3. Once pinned, sew the seam down, and that’s it. What I like most about this is you can go as high or low as you like with this do it yourself slit technique!

One of my favorite looks this winter are Lace Trims.

Whether it’s throughout the bodice, sleeves, or both, we are finding lace EVERYWHERE and will continue to see it in the spring. So whether you use a sweater or a blouse, this is a very fun trend to recreate! You will need a top, lace trim, scissors, and sewing supplies.

1. Using scissors, evenly remove a section of your garment with scissors; while separated, measure out enough lace to rejoin your garment into one piece again, as seen below.
   Don’t forget to add seam allowances to your trim!
2. Sew the ends of your lace together, and pin the lace onto your garment, and sew into place (as seen below). Repeat as desired.
3. TIP: If your garment has stretch, use a zig-zag stitch to adhere the lace trim in place, this will allow the new seam to stretch with the shirt when it is worn; if you use a matching thread, no one will see the stitching lines.
   As I wrote earlier, whether you do just the sleeves, the bodice, or BOTH, they will all look great!

The final trend is the coveted ribbed Cowl Scarf (as seen here).

For this look, you will need a long sweater, scissors, and sewing supplies. I used an old knit I loved last year that did not get much wear this season, the bodice was super long and it had a great striped pattern.

1. You want to turn your sweater inside out and examine the seams of your garment, locate your side and underarm seams.
2. With your scissors, barely remove your side seam and continue to cut a straight line into the underarm seam of your garment, and across your bodice to the opposite side, as seen below, removing the side seam will help create a more cohesive seam line when you sew that seam shut in the next step.
3. Pin the side seams and sew together.
4. You should have two openings, one that already existed on your garment and a new line you made when cutting out your scarf;
   hem the raw edges of your cut line. Remember to use a zig-zag stitch as it will help the scarf stretch over your head.
   When completed, it should fit over your head as seen below.

As a momma of four, time and money can be scarce at times, but these tricks can affordably update your look within minutes!

Thanks for stopping and have a glamorous day!