My Secondhand Year

I know, the thought of sewing something is probably pretty foreign to a lot of people these days. What do you do when your sweaters get attacked by moths? Or when a pocket on your jeans rips? Or you just decide those jeans are a weird length that doesn’t flatter you? I’m guessing you might put those things in the Goodwill pile. Or you spend a fortune having the holes repaired by a tailor (I did this once with a beautiful cashmere poncho and was appalled when I picked it up and realized my attempt at fixing a $200 clothing item resulted in it becoming a $350 clothing item,).

But I’m here to tell you it’s really not that hard. Sewing up a hole or otherwise repairing (or improving) your clothes can be super rewarding. While I don’y actually sew sew (it hurts my brain to try to understand how sewing machines work), I do like to mess around with needles & thread, sewing scissors, and other nifty tools that can make your old clothes … if not exactly new again, maybe spruced up and better fitting. And if you’re not buying anything new, the need to do it will become apparent pretty quickly.

Actually, I’ve always kind of done this. My mom gave me a homemade sewing kit when I graduated from high school, and I take no small amount of pride in my ability to darn a sock or patch a hole. I even had to invest in more thread at one point. After my experience with taking that hole-filled poncho to the tailor, I taught myself how to repair moth holes in sweaters, and nowadays I do it pretty regularly. It’s surprisingly easy (hey, maybe I should start a business…?) and not even that time consuming. I’ve been known to cut off long skirts to make them short (and get compliments on my “fringe” — aka unfinished hem), cut the tops off dresses to make them skirts, and just recently cut the bottom off a caftan and how have an adorable knee-length dress AND a wrap. And of course any old pair of pants is fair game to become my favorite item of clothing of all time: cutoffs

Here are some basic tips and tools for taking care of the clothes you have so you don’t need to buy new ones as often. I know some of these ideas involve purchasing things, but consider them investments in the life of the things you already own.

• Get a sewing kit if you don’t have one. As I said, my mom made me one when I was a kid. It’s pretty ratty these days, but I still have (and use) it. Joann sells ones like this for like 10 bucks. Or you can just assemble the items and make one yourself — assorted thread, needles, scissors, and iron-on patches in a small box or bag are really all you need; maybe add a measuring tape if you want to get more advanced. You can use this for replacing missing buttons, fixing small holes in sweaters (see below), and fixing larger holes and rips with patches.

• Learn to repair a hole in a sweater. Yes I’m bragging that I taught myself how to do this, but you don’t have to. There are a zillion tutorials and videos for that. The main thing to remember is to be gentle when pulling the thread through.

• Give them a nice shave. If you don’t own a sweater shaver, I don’t know how you actually live. I’ve tried several over the years, including the famous sweater stone and a sweater comb, but have to admit I like this one the best. I know it’s from Amazon (I did buy it before this year started), but it seems to work fastest and doesn’t pull or scrape my sweaters.

• Rip those seams. I guess this is another thing that should go in your nifty sewing kit: a seam ripper. This $6 item can transform clothes, and it’s fun. I recently realized that my favorite old JCrew miniskirt was too mini on 50-something me, so I ripped out the hem, ironed it, and now it’s a perfect length. I’ve also done this with jeans that are too cropped — voila they’re an inch or two longer, plus they have a cool-looking released hem (a look for which AG will charge you $245).

• Try shearling insoles. If you have old Ugg boots or slippers that are still decent on the outside but matted and worn out on the footbed, consider getting a pair of replacement insoles instead of entirely new shoes. Fewer sheep required and only 20 bucks, enough said.

• Shoe polish. Amazing.

• Become a laundry obsessive. Beyond the basics (separating lights and darks, not overstuffing the washing machine or dryer), I recommend using the gentle cycle and air drying … everything? OK maybe not everything, but for sure your bras, swimsuits, and workout clothes (leggings, sports bras). I also hang cotton poplin shirts and then iron them, but that’s just me. Here’s a really comprehensive article about taking care of your clothes that reassured me that I am actually not totally OCD about the laundry. Also, I wash my sneakers almost weekly and let them air dry — they look almost brand new.

• There’s always a tailor. I reserve trips to the tailor for more elaborate fixes such as taking in a jacket or replacing a zipper on a bag or coat. But it’s pretty amazing what they can do.

It can be fun to look at your clothes in a more creative way. Something you’ve avoided wearing can become a new-(seeming) favorite with a chopped hem or nice de-pilling. Also, don’t freak out if you mess something up. It was worth a try and probably getting donated anyway.