DIY: If You Hate It, Then You Should Just Put A Fringe On It

One of the best things a human being can do is to put a trim on something (no joke). It covers an ugly or raw hem, adds length and weight and imbues things with an extra dose of flair. Plus, it's really easy and inexpensive.

BEFORE

I bought this Glassons dress second-hand and was surprised when I tried it on and found that it was VERY short. This is unusual for Glassons, who usually go for added length in their dresses and skirts. It didn't help that the dress is very floaty, so a mere gust of wind would put me in an awkward position.

AFTER

Adding a fringe to this dress added length by literally adding to the length of the garment, and it also weighed the bottom hem down, so the skirt section sits better now and the fabric is stretched out nicely. Trims are just great like that.

Here is a very generic (as there are loads of different types of trims and things to attach them to) guide to applying a trim:

1. Measure how much you'll need, and get a bit extra. Guessing tends to leave you short, as it's very hard to tell by sight just how much trim you'll actually need. Do measure before buying!

2. Starting at a seam, pin the trim on. Don't be lazy and think you can just sew it straight on. Pin carefully and diligently. I pinned every inch or so, which took a while, but luckily I had a very tedious Finance lecture to watch.

3. Sew at least 2 lines of straight stitch (or in certain cases, you may want to use zigzag or applique stitches) to secure the trim. Sew with the fabric facing down and the trim facing upright, using the trim as a guide. Avoid sewing too close to the edge of the fabric, as you might miss it and just sew onto the trim. With a thick trim like the one I used, you can use a pretty long straight stitch, which will be faster and look better.

4. Where the trim ends/starts, secure with a zigzag or overlocking stitch. You may also want to use glue to stop the trim from fraying or undoing. 

So easy! I'm so into a fringe, if you haven't already noticed. It adds a effortless "boho chic" vibe to things and makes them just that little bit cooler. Happy Trimmin', everyone!