Call me weird, but I love reading all of the top 10 lists that come out at the end of the year. Anything from the most popular nail polish colors to the best new books to read.
So, I thought you might enjoy the Top 10 Renegade Seamstress articles of 2016. It is my sincere hope that one or more of these sewing tips and tricks will help you in some way in the the coming year.
Just to keep you in suspense, here they are starting with the tenth most popular article.
10. How to Reattach the Original Jeans Hem
I don’t know about you, but clothing manufacturers must think by my hip size that I’m seven feet tall. My jeans are always too long. In this article, I’ve shared with you a trick to retain the authentic and stylish look of your jeans when shortening them.
9. Refashioned Denim Easter Basket
Ah, the wonderful basket. Not only is it a symbol of Easter, but it is also a symbol of spring. Both spring and Easter represent renewal, rebirth, and new life. Exactly what this project is all about. Give your old jeans new life by creating a fun, refashioned denim Easter basket that could be used all year long.
8. How to Sew a Zipper into Clothing
Zippers can be one of the most intimidating techniques for someone new to sewing. But honestly, there is nothing to fear. Putting in a zipper really isn’t as hard as it looks. Once you learn the tricks, you’ll be confidently sewing zippers into everything from dresses and pants to bags and pillows.
7. How to Make a Celtic Knot Headband Out of T-Shirts
This cute little face has been pinned over 176,000 times.
You can make this no-sew headband with a Shannon knot, which symbolizes balanced creativity, a fitting emblem because it makes creative use of old T-shirts.
6. 19 Clever Ways to Refashion Your Clothes
Did you know that your box of outdated clothing waiting to get dropped off at the thrift store could actually be a gold mine? That’s right! If you know how to sew a straight line, you can turn your old clothes into stylish new treasures.
5. How to Make Aprons From Shirts
Whether you’re a beginning sewer or an experienced seamstress, you can look cooking-show chic while you cook. Refashioned from an old button-down shirt, this apron features coordinating pockets and a colorful waistband for a fashionable twist. Go for flair when choosing the accent fabrics.
4. Sewing 101: Basic Clothing Alterations You Can Do Yourself
The secret to looking and feeling your best is wearing clothes that fit. No matter what your body shape or size, if your clothes fit you well, you’ll look like a million bucks. Before you hire an expensive tailor, check out these alterations. You’ll be surprised at how easy some of them can be to do yourself.
3. How to Take in the Waist on a Pair of Blue Jeans
If your waist is quite a bit smaller than your hips, you may suffer from “gaposis” when you buy jeans to fit your hips. This leaves plenty of room in the waistband, creating a clear view of, ahem, you know, your unmentionables. Well, there is a fix for your jeans to help keep those unmentionables unmentionable.
2. How to Turn a Crew Neck T-Shirt Into a V-Neck
Many women choose a V-neck because it draws the eye up toward the face and creates a heart shape. It can also create an illusionary effect that elongates the body — and who doesn’t want that? Even if you’re not an experienced sewer, you can transform your crew necks into flattering V-neck shirts in just a few simple steps.
And the number one article of the year is……..
1. How to Make the Waist Bigger on Jeans
If your favorite pair of jeans have become too small in the waist, don’t despair and definitely don’t get rid of them. Instead, be a smarty pants and alter the waistband to fit again even without advanced sewing skills.
Well, there you have it. The 10 Most Popular Renegade Seamstress articles of 2016. I truly hope at least one of these will be helpful to you.
Happy New Year!
May All Your Wishes Come True!
Beth
The Renegade Seamstress 
I missed the T-shirt one, that’s a good restructure. thanks, Happy New Year
Thanks! I hope it’ll be helpful to you sometime. 🙂
Super helpful, thanks for the tips!
You are so very welcome, Kelsey! I love sharing this with nice people like you. Happy New Year!
Happy new year Beth.
Some super helpful posts and a year of very enjoyable blog posts in general. I loved your Refashion Runway competition, I developed a love for Project Runway which I can see here in the UK on Lifetime. Older shows but good nonetheless- fascinating to see the difference between what I wear/like and what is ‘fashion forward’… Clue, the phrase “poles apart” spring to mind! I’ve picked up lots of tips, zippers and taking in jeans are my favourite on this list, speaking of the list a new one to me- Celtic knot hair bands from old tees- pinning!!!!
Wish you and everyone a happy, fabric-y, sewable 2017 😉
It makes me so happy to know that you’ve been enjoying the posts and Refashion Runway. 🙂 Everything seems right with the world when I’m creating them for you. It’s fun to have nice people like you along for the ride.:) Happiest of New Years to you!!
Happy New Year, Beth! You have written so many practical, useful, and fun tutorials since you’ve been blogging. Your Refashion Runway is another highlight of the year.
I see the “make the waist bigger” beat out “make the waist smaller” this year. I have a pair of jeans with a safety pin at the waist so I need the “make smaller” tutorial at the moment.
Thank you and Happy New Year Lisa! I need the make the waist smaller these days as well. 🙂 Stay tuned for my next video, it will be the make the waist smaller. I hope it’ll entertain you. 🙂
I have pinned 7 of 10. Thanks so much for your easy to follow instructions. I would never have thought to enlarge the waistband on my jeans. I have 3 pair that I have to wear a long top to hide the gap.
Thanks so much for pinning, Beverly! Happiest of New Years to you!
je suis française..Merci Thank you 😉
Vous êtes donc très bienvenue. Bonne année !
Brilliant, thank you and Happy New Year. See you in 2017
Thanks so much Barbara! Happy New Year to you as well!
I’ve used the hemming technique several times. Love it.
I’m so glad this has been helpful. Happy New Year!!
Hi,
I just wanted to wish you a very Happy New Year and say thank you for all the wonderful tips and tricks you have given me over this last year. I am a newbie when it comes to sewing but with your help I have been able to do so many things I never thought possible and have saves myself quite a lot of money also.
I missed your tip for making your jean waist larger but now I have read your Top 10 I will be able to wear two pairs of jeans that have been sitting in my draw for a couple of years.
So once again thank you.
Kindest regards,
Carol (from Western Australia)
Oh Carol,
You are so very welcome! I’m so glad to know that these articles have been helpful to you and have saved money for you. One of my favorite things about blogging is getting to know nice people like you from all over the world. Happy New Year!!!
These ideas and tips are really good,how canthey be saved to pinterest or forr easy future usage?.
Thank you, when you hover over one of the images, the pin icon should appear in the top left corner of the image, then just click on that and you can pin it to one of your boards.
Elsie Jolly, above