DIY Network

Wardrobe Makeover with Trim Update your look without spending a fortune. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-406

Over-the-top trim can perk up anything!

Have an old piece of clothing that needs a pick-me-up? Give that garment an instant update with some fantastic trims and help from Michele Beschen. The B. Original host is the queen of updating old looks, and for this project she turns her talent to fabric trim.

Check out Michele Beschen’s hints for turning a hum-drum garment into a new creation you’ll wear with price. Scroll down for her how-to, and get ready to trim it all out.

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Wardrobe Makeover with Trim

Materials:

garment to update
various trims
straight pins
sewing machine or needle and thread
fray check liquid

• Michele Beschen chose a simple "little black dress" for the trim treatment. It works just as well for a skirt, trousers, handbags or even shoes.

• Choose an assortment of trims to use on the garment. Fabric and discount stores stock an incredible variety of colors, sizes and styles; keep an eye out for sales. It takes about a yard of trim to go around an average skirt or dress.

• Decide whether to cover the entire garment or just one section.

• Spread the garment out on a flat work surface. Lay out a piece of trim across the bottom hem of the garment and add a few inches of overlap. Use this piece as a template and cut all of the remaining pieces of trim to the same length.
  

  	Figure A
  	Figure B

• Starting with a heavier piece of trim at the bottom of the garment, pin the trim in position. Use a seam as a starting point, and keep the trim as straight and flat as possible.

• Attaching the trim is simple: just sew it in place, either by hand or with a sewing machine (figure A). Michele Beschen used a sewing machine to create a straight stitch down the center of the trim, then a zigzag stitch where the ends connect to flatten and conceal the edges.

• Apply a few drops of fray-stop liquid to seal the edges (figure B).

• Add a few more rows of trim, and this plain Jane dress is ready for the ruways!
  

  Figure C

  Figure D

  Figure E

  
  

  	Figure F
  	Figure G

• There are so many ways to do this project that you’ll never run out of options: Use multiple stripes of the same trim (figure C), or mix it up with different trims across the garment (figure D). Use trims the same color as the fabric for a more subtle update. Contrast colors to create patterns and designs with the trims (figure E).

• To apply trims to a handbag, simply lay the trim in place with a slight overhang at the ends. Glue the trim to the bag with a strong fabric glue or with hot glue designed for fabric. After the glue dries, trim away the excess and apply fray check to the ends.

• A few pieces of trim can give your bag a completely different look. Cover the bag with bold stripes of trim in one contrasting color (figure F), mix up colors and angles to create fun patterns (figure G) or experiment to create your own look.

A little trim can make a huge difference. So dig out some old garments and accessories, and get trimming!