15 Great DIY Fashion Alterations That are Perfect for NYE
Updated on December 19, 2018
Because we’re such big DIY enthusiasts, however, we always feel like we look our best when we get to wear something we made ourselves, even if it’s just an outfit we made a few simple alterations to rather than starting from scratch. That’s why we’ve been on the prowl for tutorials and patterns that will help us make ourselves awesome for 2018!
1. DIY one-shoulder cocktail dress pattern
Is your body built and proportioned such that you’ve always loved the way one-shoulder dress designs look on you the best? We love them too, but we find that they tend to trend in and out of mainstream fashion stores quickly, even when they’re still quite popular in magazines and on red carpets, making nice ones hard to come across without a hefty price tag. That’s why we were so thrilled when we found this tutorial from DamaV425 that teaches us how to make one shoulder cocktail dresses ourselves!
2. Full DIY tulle skirt
We’re not quite sure why and we might never put our finger on it, but something about flouncy tulle has always seemed celebratory and fun to us. That’s why we were so eager to learn how to make skirts and dresses with it! We adore this tutorial for making wonderfully full tulle skirts from Red Ink Pen and we’ve used it several times to make ourselves outfits that made us feel fantastic.
3. DIY rhinestoned pumps
Dresses and skirts aren’t the only things you can make and alter so that your outfit for NYE has a custom twist on it! Nearly every year for the past five years or so, we’ve made sure to amp up our style a little and give ourselves a bit more sparkle by rhinestoning our own shoes! We’ve done it in all kinds of different ways, but this year we’re really feeling these adorable heels from Making It With Danielle where just the pump is stoned.
4. Leopard pencil skirt
Are you looking for a style that’s a little less classic “New Year’s Eve” and a little more bold and daring in its style? Then perhaps this year you should skip the sparkles and the silver and gold colour scheme and take a look at this pencil skirt tutorial from Pink OG instead! Technically you could make this one in any pattern, colour, or design you please, but we adore this original leopard print look.
5. Gown to strapless sequinned jumpsuit
Do you already own an old dress, prom dress, or gown that you still adore the colour and even the fabric finish of but you just aren’t into the style anymore and you know you’ll never wear it again? Well, instead of getting rid of it and buying a new outfit or just letting it sit in the back of your closet for no reason, check out how Daniela Tabois turned their gown into an amazingly unique and glamorous sequinned jumpsuit that’s perfect for New Year’s Eve celebrations.
6. Rhinestone and ribbon heels
Were you quite intrigued by the idea of making your own rhinestoned heels but you’d really like a design that’s a little more girly than the original glitzy glam look we showed you earlier on our list? Then we’d suggest taking a look at this pretty customized shoe tutorial from Fun 365! They suggest attaching a pretty silk ribbon tied in a bow to the top of the heel and spreading the stones out so they look like more of a delicate spray.
7. Oversized sweater into sparkling cinched dress
Are you looking for a warmer design because you know the NYE celebration you’ll be at is going to be chilly, but you just haven’t found a sweater dress that’s quite flashy looking enough for you? Then perhaps you’d have an easier time just searching for a sweater you like the look of and transforming it into a pretty belted and fitted dress, just like The Slapdash Sewist did here!
8. Feather blocked dress
Do you have a delicate, cute little cocktail dress that you’re already quite a big fan of and that you’re considering wearing, but you can’t help but wish that it had a little extra something to dress it up and really make it a look that’s fit for a party? In that case, we have a feeling you’re going to love this awesome feather blocking technique from A Beautiful Mess! They show you how to trim the bottom of your premade (or homemade) dress with soft, glamorous looking maribou feathers.
9. Simple adjustable pin-up dress sewing pattern
Are you actually quite an experience sewing enthusiast and you’re feeling ready for a challenge this New Year’s Eve because you’re going to a vintage inspired party and you’d really like to look your best and look the part? In that case, we absolutely think you should take a look at this beautiful pin-up inspired sewing pattern from Gertie’s Blog for Better Sewing! They show you how to make a dress that has straps at the top that let you change the style depending on how you tie them.
10. DIY little red skater dress
Have you long been wanting to learn how to make skater dresses because they’re a classic style that always looks good and they’re easy to customize in all kinds of different ways? In that case, we have a feeling you’d enjoy this tutorial from Laugh, Love, Live, Dance! They walk you step by step through the process of making a pretty style that’s simple but beautiful..
11. Flapper inspired DIY fringe dress
Can you tell from how much we’re talking about vintage inspired dresses that we’ve been to more than a few vintage styled New Year’s Eve parties? Well, just in case you find yourself in the same boat (not that we’ve ever been upset to have an excuse to dress vintage), here’s a stunning DIY 1930s inspired fringe flapper dress outlined in surprisingly simple steps on Erica Millard.
12. Scalloped hem shift dress
Are you still thinking about ways to alter that dress you’ve got in mind just slightly but the maribou feathers weren’t quite the style for you? Then perhaps you’d rather this simple scalloped edge design from Merrick’s Art! We’re very impressed with how stylish the finished product looks considering how incredibly simple the technique is.
13. Pleated skirt with a ribbon tie waist
Have you ever seen a beautiful skirt design in a store that you absolutely loved and wished you could mimic at home without paying designer prices? That’s exactly how we felt when we saw full skirts with waistbands and bows, so imagine how excited we were when we found this DIY tutorial for precisely that on A Touch of Southern Grace! We’ve made three of them since we first discovered this guide.
14. DIY ruffled neck and bust dress
Perhaps you’ve already got a dress that you love the fit and colour of but it’s a little bit too simple for NYE so you’re looking for fun ways to embellish it? In that case, we definitely think you should take a look at this adorable ruffled neck, shoulder, and sleeve tutorial from Our Life is Beautiful! They show you how to use small pieces of fabric to create the ruffled bunches.
15. Adding sleeves to a sleeveless dress
Perhaps your personal sense of style is a little more conservative than most dresses you find in stores so you’ve been hoping to find a slightly less revealing design to wear out with your friends for New Year’s Eve? In that case, we’ve found just the right tutorial for you! We love the way Merrick’s Art added cute cap sleeves to a sleeveless dress to cover their shoulders without losing any style.
Do you know someone who loves making their own clothing and always turns out beautiful pieces but could use some inspiration this year? Share this post with them so they have lots of different options to consider for NYE!