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Cost: $ $ $ $ $

Difficulty: • • • • •

Time: 20 mins

Update your wardrobe with a few snips with this simple step by step tutorial on DIY Coordinates!
I have an unhealthy relationship with coords. I would eat, sleep, wear coords and repeat all year if I could. But they can be quite the investment and thought they’re very versatile they might not be around forever. But don’t despair, it’s nothing a little DIY can’t fix. A simple snip here and there. Fashion surgery is in order.

Posted by Free Series from Montreal, Quebec, Canada • Published 2nd October 2014 • See Free Series's 7 projects »

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Step 1
STEP 1: Start by cutting the dress apart in two pieces. If it has a seam at the waist, go ahead and use a seam ripper. If it doesn’t, trace a line with the chalk where you want your 2 pieces to separate and cut it along with scissors. You’ll be hemming the edges so make sure you leave 1/4″ of extra fabric for seam allowance.
Step 2
STEP 2: First things first, the skirt. Fold the top edge inward at about an inch or two to fit the width of your elastic band. You might need to press the fabric with an iron – hair straightener will be fine – before folding if you’re using a knit that tends to roll up. Pin the edge and sew in place leaving an opening of about an inch. If you’re a sewer and you have the equipment then by all means use it, but if not hand stitching will be more than fine.
Step 3
STEP 3 : Insert the elastic in the gap you left opened. Use a safety pin to help you thread the elastic all the way through.
Step 4
STEP 4: Once you’re done, try on your skirt and adjust the elastic to fit your waist properly. Cut it to the desired length and stitch it secured. If you’re using a sewing machine a zigzag stitch is the best way to go here!
Step 5
STEP 5: Stitch the opening closed and you have a skirt! You can either leave your top as is – jerseys will roll up nicely – or hem it for a more polished look. To hem, simply fold the edge 1/4″ inward and pin or secure with paper clips. Then, hand or machine stitch in place.
Step 6
And voilà! Coords? Check! I love this project because you can really play around with fit, shape and texture when choosing your dress.

Send me a picture on Twitter or Instagram using the #FreeSeriesMadeMeDoIt if you try it out!