WFMW May 24

Getting more mileage out of your clothes.

Let's face it, even moms get holes in the knees of their favorite pants. I can't tell you how many pairs of pants have done this traitorous thing to me in the past 5 years. Normally, my first course of action is to make shorts out of them, cutting them off above the hole. Now, however, I've taken to making them into capris. You might ask, "Capris? With the holes in the knees?!?"

This is where it gets creative and works for me. Cut them off right at the top of the hole(s) or just slightly above. Then, cut strips of a contrasting fabric (this is where the remnant section of JoAnn's is fabulous) as wide as you need it to be to make capris (I usually like my capris between mid-calf and my knee, so I'll usually make my band 6-8 inches, minus the hem). Sew the strip together to make a band of fabric the same width as your pant leg and hem it before putting it on the pants. Then, attach the band of contrast fabric to the leg of your pants and voila! You have some really cute capris! If you want to get really creative, you can buy about 1/2 yard of fabric from the fabric store, instead of the remnants, and use the leftover scraps to applique patches up the legs, on the pockets, make a kerchief or even a belt. I've even considered (haven't done it yet) tacking on some rickrack where the pants and the contrast fabric meet for even more cute flair.

Now, this can also be done for little girls pants, but I don't recommend this course of action for boys. They're not so appreciative, nor are their dads. :-P Their pants are better suited for shorts or very boyish-print patches on the knees until the poor knees can't take anymore patching, in which case they're probably ready for the trash anyway, not a makeover into shorts.