Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Travel
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Property
  • Health
  • TV
  • Podcasts
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Travel
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Property
  • Health
  • TV
  • Podcasts
Subscribe
YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

One mum has revealed her simple trick for ripening avocados in only 10 minutes

One mum has revealed her simple trick for ripening avocados in only 10 minutes

This $8.50 Kmart item makes basic kitchen look more expensive

This $8.50 Kmart item makes basic kitchen look more expensive

This clever Woolies mud cake hack is going viral and it's so easy!

This clever Woolies mud cake hack is going viral and it's so easy!

Everyone is making this $3 pool noodle hack for Christmas

Everyone is making this $3 pool noodle hack for Christmas

{headline}

{headline}

 This delicious 3-ingredient cake recipe has a secret ingredient you can get from Coles

This delicious 3-ingredient cake recipe has a secret ingredient you can get from Coles

Four clever indoor plant hacks to save money

Four clever indoor plant hacks to save money

One woman has turned Kmart tea towels into a stunning dress

One woman has turned Kmart tea towels into a stunning dress

{headline}

{headline}

2 new Aussie hacks to peel a mango

2 new Aussie hacks to peel a mango

Tara’s clever flat pack drawers hack

Tara’s clever flat pack drawers hack

Mum’s genius hack for restoring her couch

Mum’s genius hack for restoring her couch

How to clean your kettle in 5 minutes or less

How to clean your kettle in 5 minutes or less

Reader project: A Hamptons-style dining table makeover

Reader project: A Hamptons-style dining table makeover

Mum’s surprising hack for removing chemicals from fruit and veggies

Mum’s surprising hack for removing chemicals from fruit and veggies

4 ingenious Ikea hacks for pets

4 ingenious Ikea hacks for pets

  1. Home
  2. Better Life

How to hack a dress and make a kimono-style jacket

Give an old dress a new lease of life. - by Jane Pine
  • 17 Apr 2018

Give that old dress in your wardrobe a new lease of life by upcycling it with a clever hack. In just a few simple steps, you can create an on-trend kimono-style jacket. Not only will you have a fashionable new addition to your wardrobe, you’ll help to reduce the harmful impact of landfill.

You will need

A long loose dress with long sleeves (without an elastic waist)

Pins

Matching thread for the dress

Sewing machine

Fabric chalk

Sharp or fabric scissors

Ruler or measuring tape

Instructions

Step 1: Turn your dress inside out and lay out on a flat surface with the front of the dress facing up. Using your chalk, mark the centre of the dress from the neckline right down to the hem.

Step 2: Once you have marked how much of the dress you would like to cut out, measure half of that amount from the middle line. For example, if you are cutting four inches out, make a mark two inches out from either side of the middle mark. Do this on both the neckline and the hem.

Step 3: Take your ruler and draw a line from the left mark on the neckline to the left mark on the hem, and also from the right mark on the neckline to the right mark at the hem. Cut along both of these lines so that the middle section of the front of the dress is removed.

Step 4: If you like the distressed look of frayed edges you can finish your kimono jacket here. Otherwise, fold the cut edge of the fabric over a quarter of an inch, and over again, and sew along the folded edges to create a smooth, finished hem. 

For more upcycling information, go to SCR Group. 

RELATED: This needle threading hack is genius

RELATED: Nine tips to make sewing easier

  • Craft
  • Better Life
Jane Pine
Jane Pine is a digital content editor and has worked in magazines for over 20 years. She's a diehard DIY fan and can't go past a good Ikea hack.

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

One mum has revealed her simple trick for ripening avocados in only 10 minutes

One mum has revealed her simple trick for ripening avocados in only 10 minutes

This $8.50 Kmart item makes basic kitchen look more expensive

This $8.50 Kmart item makes basic kitchen look more expensive

This clever Woolies mud cake hack is going viral and it's so easy!

This clever Woolies mud cake hack is going viral and it's so easy!

Everyone is making this $3 pool noodle hack for Christmas

Everyone is making this $3 pool noodle hack for Christmas

{headline}

{headline}

 This delicious 3-ingredient cake recipe has a secret ingredient you can get from Coles

This delicious 3-ingredient cake recipe has a secret ingredient you can get from Coles

Four clever indoor plant hacks to save money

Four clever indoor plant hacks to save money

One woman has turned Kmart tea towels into a stunning dress

One woman has turned Kmart tea towels into a stunning dress

{headline}

{headline}

2 new Aussie hacks to peel a mango

2 new Aussie hacks to peel a mango

Tara’s clever flat pack drawers hack

Tara’s clever flat pack drawers hack

Mum’s genius hack for restoring her couch

Mum’s genius hack for restoring her couch

How to clean your kettle in 5 minutes or less

How to clean your kettle in 5 minutes or less

Reader project: A Hamptons-style dining table makeover

Reader project: A Hamptons-style dining table makeover

Mum’s surprising hack for removing chemicals from fruit and veggies

Mum’s surprising hack for removing chemicals from fruit and veggies

4 ingenious Ikea hacks for pets

4 ingenious Ikea hacks for pets

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Instyle
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Shop This Offer
Get your mag delivered!