August! It’s a wonderful time of year to prepare for transitions: end of summer, back to school, seasonal wardrobe changes… #AlterItAugust is a simple and fun way to challenge yourself to examine your wardrobe and consider what is less-than-loved and give it some new life.
#AlterItAugust is a sewing challenge
to examine your wardrobe
and bring life and love to
unworn garments
I started Alter It August last year as a personal challenge because I had some things hanging in my closet that I just wasn’t wearing, both me-made and RTW. Throughout August, I focused on improving what I had so that my wardrobe started to look like a fully-loved collection. If anything, it gave me a clearer view on what pieces I could simply let go of and pass on to someone else. Lots of you in the sewing community joined the challenge in your own way and took us all for a good ride on the inspo-cycle. We are back again for more this year!
The Details
- #AlterItAugust challenge is back!
- FAQ below
- Share your project ideas or personal pledge in the comments
- I’ll be walking you through some Alter it August tutorials of my own
- Also linking to some inspiring projects from other sewists throughout the month
- Share your ideas, WIP, finished projects using #alteritaugust on Instagram
- Prizes throughout – Use #alteritaugust on posts/stories for multiple entries into prize drawings
What Do You Mean by “Alter”?
The dictionary defines “Alter” as…. lol kidding. But I know, “clothing alterations”… it sounds like you need a high level of skill and years of experience. That’s not what we are talking about here. If you know how to alter and tailor your clothes, by all means! Use this challenge as a motivator to get to better tailoring your old jackets and pants. If you’re like me, a relatively new sewist, we just have to give it a try and see what we can do to improve our clothes with the supplies and skills we have right now.
Alter It August is not only about re-fitting, but it can also be about re-fashioning. It can be a simple button fix, or it can be finishing one of those things sitting in your ‘need-to-mend’ pile. It can be dyeing a garment to get you excited about it again. Or using up your scraps to make something useful. Add patch pockets to that dress. Mend those jeans. Or none of the above and let the unloved thing go to be loved by someone else. It’s all in the spirit of sustainability.
Who Can Join This Challenge?
You. Sewing for years? Join in and inspire us. Brand new to sewing? Join in and stretch your skills. No sewing machine? Try sashiko embroidering, hand mending, or stitching name tags on your kids’ sweaters.
What Do I Need to Do?
Set a goal that works for you! Post your goal, pledge, or project ideas in the comments section below. Share your project(s) in progress and the final result on Instagram using the hashtag #alteritaugust. If you have a past project that fits in with this challenge, feel welcome to share that too. Follow the hashtag for inspiration. Subscribe to Sew North blog posts for further tutorials and inspiring projects from other sewists in the community.
Can I “Win”?
Well, you’re obviously a winner when your wardrobe is improved, but I know what you mean. Yes, there will be some great prizes throughout the month. For each Instagram post or story you share with #alteritaugust, your name will be entered into the prize drawings.
Prizes include:
- The Rome Collection (3 pdf patterns) from Closet Case Patterns
- $50CAD voucher to LCH Scissors
- Sew Altered Style‘s new Misty Cami pdf pattern x2 (for you and a friend)
- $30 voucher to Arrow Mountain
- Kila Tank pdf pattern and 2 yards of luxe rib knit fabric from Indie Sew
Misty Cami pdf for you + friend
from Sew Altered Style
$50CAD to LDH Scissors 
$30 to Arrow Mountain 
Kila Tank Pattern + 2yds rib knit
from Indie Sew
The Rome Collection pdf bundle
from Closet Case Patterns
Please know that your Instagram profile must be set to public in order to be entered into the prize drawings, and please tag @sewnorth on your #alteritaugust stories so I’m sure to see them. Entries accepted through August 31, 2019. Prizes awarded every Sunday in August, and Sunday September 1st.
I’m In! How Can I Get Inspired?
Feel free to yoink this image and let friends know you’re in.
Get inspired by digging in your closet and take out some of the garments that you don’t wear or don’t love. Maybe you’ve heard of the Konmari method – keep things that spark joy, and for everything else… say thanks and let it go. Well, before you let it go, consider if there’s anything that you can do to make it loved again. Maybe you’ve already got a few things that need mending, hemming, new buttons, etc. Use what you have in the spirit of sustainable sewing.
Follow the hashtag #alteritaugust and keep an eye on @sewnorth space for project tutorials and inspo from other great sewists in the community. Have fun!
If you want to see some more #alteritaugust project inspiration , click on the photo captions below!
I’m so happy this is back! I pledge to alter/refashion one self sewn garment and one RTW garment. Both are still in the closet because elements of them really speak to me, but one is not being worn due to style, and the other due to size. They will both be wearable by the end of August! Thanks for the boost, Mia!
Just in time! My Evernote to do list for the past month has had “Konmari the Closet” on it for the past month!!! I’m a big Simply Sewing Magazine geek that has no sewing act together whatsoever, but I already set my own challenge to try and replicate their refashion projects from each issue I have- rescuing things I kind of love but letting them metamorphose into something I can really love. My skills are eh, and school starts in two weeks, but I’m game!
I love refashioning and altering. I’m in. I post 2 refashions a week so I will tag you in them all.
Chickie WU
This is the perfect challenge! Thank you for letting us join you on this journey! It’s been a goal of mine to alter/refashion some of mine and my husbands things….now I’m further motivated! I pledge to sew up the already cut out pair of bryce carge pants that are cut from two pairs of pants that were no longer loved or worn, and to alter a couple tops that I haven’t worn in ages, hopefully transforming them into something fabulous! 🙂
Oooh I’m excited about this!! I have about ten garments waiting for alter improvements 🤦 Time to get after it!!
Wow! This could not have come at a better time. I JUST posted to m Instagram about doing a DIY capsule wardrobe which will include altering nearly ALL of my closet. I also have a massive basket of things that need to be mended or altered. It will be a busy month! Can’t wait to see everyone’s makes!
Kate
Instagram.com/sewingfromscratch2019
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFZryHYhvO6gRoPjevXo8vA
sewingfromscratch.com
I love this 💡 you can’t improve your skills if you stop sewing so consequently as my sewing have improved my wardrobe has also!
I never view any item as a fail as each process I’ve learnt something new, although I know there are items I know I won’t wear so this challenge fits in perfectly ! I’m in #alteritaugust @sewnorth
Does an organic cotton thrifted bed sheet count? It’s itching to be a willow tank dress.
Also, I have 8 thrifted dresses that are going to become the bird girls in a high school production of Suessical the Musical Jr. Hello sequins and feathers!
Ps – love your avocado dye experience! I’m going to try that soon!
Perfect challenge at the perfect time! I am in! I pledge to finally turn that alteration and mending pile into wearable clothes. Also I will take a second look at the pile of clothes that is ready to be discarded. Some might actually be perfect for alteration.
Love the idea. I know I have a lot of RTW clothes I no longer use, and willing to make something with them for a long time, so, I pledge to check my closet to get them and make two new garments with some of them during this month. I also have some mends to do… Let’s say I’ll make my “to-mend-pile” a little bit lower. 😀
Great and inspiring post! I’m in! I will mainly focus on my mending pile this month! More info to come on my Instagram/stories. ( @cecilieverene ) YAY for giving our wardrobes some love!
I’m a new sewist and have a few items on my “adjust or alter” list, so I’d like to join in on this. I pledge to finish altering cuffs on 2 jackets, refashion one top, and adjust the waist fit on a pair of RTW slacks.
I am planning on donating unwanted clothing and repurposing several garments into new ones.
I’m in! This is a perfect challenge to get me started on some of the garments I need to “fix” to wear more. I already have two projects in mind – a thrifted denim dress I need to adjust the fitting on, and a solid colour memade dress that I will try block-printing on to spice it up! Yay, so excited 😊
I’m in! This is just the kick in the pants I need to focus on some unfinished projects and a couple of ill fitting garments that I’m not ready to give up on yet. Thanks!
Perfect timing for me! I’m in! I just cleaned out my closet and sewing space and have a pile of garments that need repairs or refashioning.
First time I’m hearing about this! @daddydressedmebymg led me here! I have a little 9 month old baby boy & myself I’ve started sewing for! He is growing SO FAST, so his wardrobe is constantly being outgrown! I plan to put multiple garments together/take from one, add to another garment, etc., to make my baby boy’s wardrobe not only unique but useful for a longer period of time! I’ve always based my creations off of upcycled material from the THRIFT store, never thought to use what we already have at home! SSUPPPEERR excited to get started! Thanks for creating this challenge!
I love this idea! And it’s during my birthday month which makes it even funner! My alteration pile is relatively low so I plan on tackling that pile first before continue the rest of the month sewing from my stash. For this alter it August challenge I will be mending socks, resizing a shirt I made earlier in April and fixing a project bag I made last November that I haven’t been able to use because it wasn’t big enough to hold my yarn.
Happy altering everyone!
Hey it’s my birthday month too 😁 Happy birthday!!
I coincidentally discovered this challenge right when I had begun my first sewing project since I moved to a new state. I’ve been here for two months and haven’t sewn a single thing :/ My amazing boyfriend got me set up with his moms sewing machine as I had to leave mine at home for now and now that my sewing space is set up, I’m ready to sew! My main motivation for wanting to sew and alter clothes is based in sustainability which is why I love this challenge so much! My goal is to alter or refashion at least 4 things in my giant pile of RTW clothes that I’ve found in my closet or at thrift stores over the years. So far, I have started deconstructing a thrifted dress that I plan to turn into a top as well as a skirt.
I’m in! This is my 1st time joining a challenge! I have a huge stack of mending – much of it brought by my daughter when she visited last month! I have a good deal of travel on the docket (currently in CA but i live in FL, so already on the move), but I pledge to tackle that pile as soon as I get home! 🙂 Insta FlyinGGirl
I’m in!!! Such a nice challenge! I have a RTW dress that need some love and probably find something else.
🙂
I have a huge mending pile and some clothes that will never be worn again if they aren’t refashioned
Such a great idea. I’m using a pair of jeans for four projects but sadly this post will be live September 1th and 2nd. But being a huge fan of recycling try to make one special for this challenge too.
Great challenge, I try to be in! I’ll see how can I manage next to my newborn. 🙂 I have a DIY maxi dress made last year but it didn’t turn out well. I was already thinking to refashion or alter it. This is the perfect time to do it!
This is fantastic! I’ve just today done some sashiko mending and will add the hashtag. In addition I’ll fix one me made garment that isn’t being warn plus upcycle one additional
Perfect challenge for me right now, I have a ton of stuff that need some kind of fixing! So I’m all in 😊
I’m in! I have some garments to alter both for me and other family members so I pledge to get that done now!
A little bit late, but I’m in! My goal is to tackle everything that needs mending as soon as I can after I notice.
I’m late to the party, but enthusiastically joining all the same! I will alter/mend one item per week this month, small projects I’ve been postponing – chiefly refashioning and moving buttons on my daughter’s clothing to get a bit wear out of toddler clothes. Thanks for the great motivation!
Forgot to post my comment earlier and I’ve already finished two of the three projects I set as goals for myself 🙂
Goal 1: Shorten sleeves on RTW tops ✅
Goal 2: Turn oversized sweater into a jacket ✅
Goal 3: Turn bodycon dress that’s too tight into a peplum top. (Still working on this one but it’s coming along nicely so far).
This is such a fun challenge! I love seeing what everyone is working on!
I’m in! Only discovered this while away on holiday but, luckily, I’d brought some projects with me for repurposing and altering! 🙌🏻 So I’ll work through and post those and continue in this direction once I’m home also.
I’m in! Several projects in the works! Can’t wait till they are done!!!
I’m in! Several projects finished and more one the works!
Love this idea. I’m in desperate need of some cool sportswear for a new job as a gym teacher
@eva_fabricstudio on Insta
Pingback: August Plans – A Stitch Across The Sea
Pingback: Kila Tank Dress from Three Tees - SewNorth - Refashions
Pingback: Domestic Alterations | Seam Racer
Pingback: Cielo Top, Alter it August and Bruna blouse | Delightfully Peculiar