Easy Thrift Fixes! 💪🏻

 

So often we dismiss clothes that don't quite fit, passed on or left to toil in our closet when a few trick tweaks or simple sewing changes can make a garment feel just right. These are two easy examples from my closet that anyone can fix.

Unlike my me-made Black and White Polka Dot Dress and my unofficial quest to make all things polka dot, I was amazed to find these wide leg black and white polka dot pants at Goodwill for $7. I did not think they existed in the wild! I love the wide waistband and stretchy fit that hides my problem gut, and of course I traced a pattern of these comfy pants for future use. However, I am short, one size does fit all, and these polka dot pants were a little too long. Long enough that instead of looking snazzy, they felt kind of silly being so huge and cumbersome. Fortunately, I braved the fabric shears and cut off the excess! Then it was time to break out the iron and trusty $3 hem tape, turning up the raw edge for a new smooth finish. Granted this stretchy fabric was a little tricky with the hem tape at the inseams, but with a wide leg pattern like this, who's going to notice a wonky dot? The stretchy material was a bit more unwieldy in re-purposing the cut off excess, but I put the inside outs together and zipped them through the sewing machine before pulling everything through right sides out and pressing it all flat. Now I have a sweet little matching polka dot tie belt! Again where the seams were sewn together might be a little uneven, but it's such a showstopping ensemble, it doesn't matter. This could all also have been done with tiny beginner hem sewing and running back stitches, so there's no need for anyone to trip over a pair of pants that can become totally fantastic with one small change.

Of course, I needed to take a dose of my own sewing inspiration to finally fix this clumsy strappy black damask column dress that's been in my closet for years. I maybe wear this thrift find once each August with my Black and White Bobbles thanks to its confusing fit – a loose, open bust line that I practically fall out of with a bodycon skirt that's too long. Perhaps this was meant for a taller smaller bust model, but a few sewing hacks can make this dress work. Several stitches pinching at the bodice cross point helps close that bra line dip, and two inches up with the good old hem tape was easy enough at the ironing board. As a short person however, I've often discovered hemming is not enough and that a whole garment should go up at the shoulders. Here with only summer straps, it's ridiculously easy to take an inch out of the shoulder and re-sew the seam with a tight running back stitch. Voila, everything's in the right place!

There are more complicated thrift alterations waiting in my closet and mending that should be done, but there's no need for anyone to put off these easy sewing rescues. These aren't couture event garments that need tailored fittings or expensive seamstress alterations. With affordable thrift finds or older clothing, these simple adjustments are guilt-free, feel-good savers for any wallet, body size, or sewing experience.

For more project photos, visit Kbatz Krafts on Facebook or Instagram and follow us on Blue Sky for the latest DIY adventures. Peruse the Kbatz Krafts Archive for more sewing escapades including: 

Cheap Elsa Costume

Orange Tablecloth Skirt

Sewing on a Budget for Search Magazine

The Black and White Polka Dot Maxi!

 

The Black and White Polka Dot Tank Top was not enough nor was the Black and White Polka Dot Dress, so now is the time to drape myself in a maxi black and white polka dot creation!

Utilizing my Drafted Nightgown Pattern finished the last yards from one bolt of this clearance Walmart material and cut into the second $15 bolt. After washing and ironing the material for cutting, it was obvious that thanks to my latest health issues, this already roomy pattern was now much larger. Fortunately I was undeterred and actually excited for new, versatile fitting possibilities, taking in the side seams and contemplating a tie back or empire gathering line. The basting and machine stitching progressed in a few hours before the first try on yielded more adjustments. I had already shortened the shoulder straps, but also per my previous tank top, the back seams needed to be straighter rather than curved. I took another inch out of each in doing so, but rather than take in all the excess like my fitted tank, I wanted this dress to remain breezy cool. Finishing the collar and armholes with double fold overs and double machine rows also opened the pattern further. Unlike my failed attempt at a brown housecoat set from this pattern, the hem also went smoothly first with a machine folder over and then another turn up with hem tape. Despite the baggy style and liner to be added, after four days this dress was technically done, surprising even myself at how quickly this pattern know-how came together after my long-gestating Purple Polka Dot Skirt.

Some folks are precision sewers and do all the math and measurements at the beginning and that is superb. I am not one of those people. Such finite at the start can deter newcomers from attempting sewing. However, if you aren't going to math the maths, that means you have to accept that adjustments will come later, which I do, just like drafts in writing that continually hone and perfect. Does this make a sewing project more difficult sometimes? Maybe. After contemplating an elastic empire draw only in the back three pattern pieces, I instead decided to do an entire empire waistline all the way around the dress. Naturally, this would have been incredibly easier if I had planned this element in advance and left the dress open with a center back seam to lay flat as was planned in making my niece's Lemon Dress. Now this change began with a terrible chalk line while wearing the dress inside out before putting the dress back on the form and pining a black grosgrain ribbon channel in place. Then I had to lay it flat on the floor, check the measurements, and baste the ribbon. Fortunately, I was not discouraged. This wasn't a mistake by any means but an exciting design twist and I am currently healthy enough to roll with it. After test gathering the elastic through with the good old safety pin trick, it was too cute – and more importantly straight! The black on black hand sewing was going to be terrible on my IIH eyes, but I decided to remove the elastic and do the empire waistband top stitching by hand to avoid having a black machine stitch go across the white polka dots on the dress front. My geometry is not finite but my perfectionism is anal.

Next I had to remember to do everything in proper sewing order just to make things easier on myself. After finishing the outer empire stitching, it was time for the lining cut from a black cotton thrift sheet for the back and a slightly better quality matching pillowcase for the front torso. Although it was initially cumbersome to pin the liner with the thrift interfacing encased around the collar curves with my ham at the ironing board (whew!), the lining was whipped stitched in place swiftly. The print, sheets, and thread were all slightly different shades of black which made it a lot easier to see! I don't usually do this kind of bag style liner and prefer to flat line as one, however I didn't want double bulky seams once I was thinking about a gathered waist. After turning up the liner hem with hem tape, I trimmed the side seams and folded them together to hide the ugly edges inside before a running back stitch finish. Somehow the liner hem was a half inch longer on one side and one shoulder seam was a tad short so I had to piece a sheet scrap in place but who's going to know? Of course, before I could tack down the liner at the dress side seams, the elastic had to be run back thru the empire waist and the channel closed. The interior was at last complete, and I ultimately decided not to stitch down the gathering in the back – leaving the elastic breath-ability while the front panel remains flat and flattering. This invokes a slight fifties fit and flair look befitting the polka dots with a pleasing Marilyn Munster vibe. Huzzah!

This dress is perhaps a bit plain and I'm tempted to add more lace trim or red piping, but the polka dot pattern elevates the simple cut. I can always add any hem or collar trim with a matching tie sash later, and my black or red belts can be fun with coordinating accessories. I'm ridiculously surprised at myself for how quickly this came together despite ongoing turmoils and time added for the hand sewing finish. I expected another round of final pinching or tweaking but that also proved unnecessary. It's not a fluke, a garment a week can be done! (So long as I have a healthy burst and actually allow ten days for trauma, but who's keeping track?)

Follow Kbatz Krafts on Blue Sky or visit our Facebook and Instagram for more project photos. Browse the Kbatz Krafts Archive for more sewing including:

Green Velvet Skirt

The Cheap Elsa Costume

Black and Orange Polka Dot Apron

White Bling? 🤨🤔😁

 

So-called “white” jewels such as diamonds and pearls are not my favorites, but last year I made Black and White Bobbles to match my Polka Dot Dress. Could I further venture into more white accessories to go with my August black and white ensembles thanks to a pack of $10 howlite beads?

More of the clearance black wood bead garland used previously and some large grab bag gold beads alternating with the smaller howlite beads made for a very chunky, actually somewhat gaudy necklace. Big earrings and a thick bracelet complete the tacky set, but if I'm going to ritz up my Black and White Polka Dot Tank to beat the heat I may as well go big or go home, amirite? A handful of black fireball beads mixed with the howlite and the last of the black wood beads made for more simple dangle earrings with a matching gold cross necklace as I inched further from my black wheelhouse. I have noticed that some black beads or fake metals discolor and rub off with sunscreen at higher temperatures. However, that's what one must expect if you're going to work with cheap, fun, found materials, and I'm not about to give up my SPF 100!

The howlite beads and their matching white cross spacers made for more bracelets alongside cheap gold beads taken apart from another Goodwill garland. Here, I went bold for a mirroring majority howlite collar necklace with gold teardrop beads and small cross earrings. Because I also wear red accents with my black and white for a dash of fifties style pop, vintage thrift red and gold beads were next to join the howlite. Like my previous Bling Binge, I went a little crazy in finishing these red beads with three bracelets, earring bobs, and a necklace with a dangling howlite cross pendant. Determined to use all this howlite to fill the white accessories hole in my collection, I continued with more aged gold chunky beads and leftover rose shaped beads for another necklace. The small white crosses and more cheap gold beads made for the last of the howlite beads in a matching bracelet. There are still some of the small sideways howlite cross beads in two sizes which can be used for future bracelets – my own spiritual trademark against this so-called Christian yet totally corrupt regime that has forgotten Jesus's actual teachings on compassion. Otherwise I've pretty much made all the white and gold jewelry combinations I'll probably need. Huzzah!

Does some of this me-made jewelry look the tacky and junky that it truly is? Absolutely! Apologies to Dolly Parton, but it only cost pennies to look this cheap. I have fun, seemingly lightweight looking accessories thanks to the white howlite color – a new concept to me, a long-time wearer of black. I'm looking forward to mixing and matching these bright, summery sets with my black and white clothes, a moderate success with an alternative white stone, if I do say so myself!

Visit the Kbatz Krafts Archive for more jewelry made by me or see more bling photos on the Kbatz Krafts Facebook.

Purple and Black Polka Dots, Oh Yes!

 

There wasn't much yardage to this charming Halloween cotton from one of my dearly departed Joann Hauls, but this purple and black polka dot print was crying out to become a skirt. I had to do it!

Not wanting to repeat the shortchanged mistakes of my original Black and Orange Polka Dot Apron, I used the center panel and two pleated side panels from my tried and true 5 Skirts 1 Pattern Butterick 6196. Purple is my winter color, so I wanted this shorter, about the same tea length as my Orange Tablecloth Skirt so to not drag on the ground. However, the anxiety was real as I willed myself into cutting the material seemingly too short. I wanted to add a pre-made black ruffle trim from my stash to the hemline with a black satin ribbon border – just to give the bottom some kick because this wasn't going to be a super full but more a-lined skirt. Going against sewing order, I worked on this hem while the skirt pieces were open and flat. Unfortunately, this black on black hand stitching took forever! What should have been a week's project to wear in January dragged out across the months as 2026 worn on and my health declined ultimately to an Intracranial Hypertension diagnosis. The excess fluid pooling in my brain created swelling and pressure on my optic nerve, making this my usual standard finite black stitching almost impossible for me to see. I returned to this skirt off and on, displeased with myself for making some stitches larger and unsightly noticeable on what should have been a simple hem. I guess from far away it still looks nice?

Of course at some point, I decided I did want more volume after all. Two leftover triangle side pieces had become the waistband, and after the first try on with several back pleats, the skirt just didn't seem swooshy enough. Despite my concerns about that first Black and Orange Polka Dot pattern mishap, I used the remaining strip of purple fabric as two more angled back panel pieces for the skirt. I basted then ironed as I went finishing these new seams, but adding new back panels also meant, yes you guessed it, more black hem trim! I still had plenty of the ribbon and ruffle but once again I created more time consuming, hand sewing pain for myself. I drove my husband crazy by replacing the regular table lamp bulbs with harsh 100 watt bright white daylight bulbs in a feeble attempt to see my black stitching better. Fortunately, there were no seam issues and pattern matching problems with the new back panels. The extra material did mean the waistband was short, so the last large purple scrap extended the waistband in the back. Thrift interfacing stiffened the interior waistband before running back stitches and securing top stitches with a “Heather Grape” thrift thread cone went much easier than the black on black sewing. I wasn't worried about any seams and pattern lines in the waistband or an ugly inside that no one would see, appreciating that the flat front showcased the polka dots while the back pleats hid the extra piecing seams with a bustle effect. I still have a few strips of the purple and black polka dot fabric that could be fun cuffs or a collar for a black blouse, but one sewing project at time.

A scarce purple button from my Thrift Button Jar and a surprisingly decent hand sewn button hole finished this overdue and arduous skirt at last – six months after I started and out of my intended winter wearing season. This is unlined and the lightweight cotton wrinkles very easily, but this is meant for layering over my oft worn black ruffle skirt with chunky boots for modern, snowy walking skirt vibes. Obviously there are things I might have done differently, using a backing fabric to add support and/or drape or striping the scarce purple polka dots with black material for more gathering flounce. A press with spray starch may also help nix those wrinkles in the future. I have other me made purple skirts and if I actually stuck to the skirt a week timetable, I could fill my whole wardrobe and clear my fabric stash! After the mixed reception of my DIY Holiday Projects, I had a new 2026 sewing outlook to stop creating for others and instead adventure for myself. Of course, the increasing health disruptions had other plans, and my usual one stitch at a time therapeutic was easier said than done for what should have been a very simple project. I expected to hate this skirt as a reminder of all the turmoil that came with it but now that it's finished, I still think it's really cute! It's not perfect but it is done – a wearable and whimsical positive in an otherwise turbulent year.

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