How To

Updating autumn/winter wardrobes

This month Sue Locke has some wiley ways to update your autumnal wardrobe with some great accessories.

1. Give blouses an instant Autumn/Winter 09 lift by sewing in a pair of shoulder pads.

2. If you’ve fallen in love with costly material and cannot afford it for a whole dress why not use it just for the front yoke or bodice area and partner it with something less extravagant.

3. Tweed is a fashion favourite this season. Look out for voluminous skirts that can be re-cycled into pencil-slim shapes.

4. Re-vamp a white T-shirt for autumn by drawing on your own abstract design using a black fabric pen and edging it with black lace.

5. Add instant glamour to your wardrobe by making an over-sized bag in a leopard print.

6. Create an on-trend 40s image by adding a deep frill to the hem and a wide belt to the waist of a blouse.

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7. If you’re a sewing novice but would love to try a winter coat why not try a cape. It’s the simplest shape and requires no fitting and you can make it totally original by adding a floral print lining.

8. Luxury boho is one of THE looks for ’09. Use the free pattern in Sewing World magazine November issue and make your winter tunic in a rich paisley print.

9. Turn a simple dress into a classy number by covering the belt with an assortment of rhinestones and beads.

10. Follow designer Marc Jacobs fashion style by adding rows of colour-matched ribbon round the hem of a full skirt and then a further two rows spaced 3 cm apart.