Alt ✦ Byk

Alterations By katie!

Hello! My name is Katie and I firmly believe clothes should feel comfortable AND functional. My goal is to share my knowledge and process of thrifting and flipping pieces to give them a second life! Clothes don’t have to be expensive to be stylish or good quality. With my sewing machine, I have learned how to play with trends without the fast fashion downsides.

Portfolio✦

Some of my fav thrift flips ;)

I’m the type of person to see something broken and unwanted and think,

“✨I can fix her✨”

In 2016, I sewed an R2-D2 dress out of an old bedsheet. In 2020, I began sewing actual clothes, starting off with a blouse made from a pillowcase…ever since then, I’ve loved thrifting for interesting fabrics and silhouettes and seeing what I can make out of them!


Turning a 2XL dress into a size S

#1 Tip is to thrift for stretch and small/busy patterned fabric because it hides mistakes (even better if it’s dark colored!) Also always look for adjustable straps because it not only gives you extra string to use, but it adds more adjustability for the wearer :)

This dress can be worn with a cardigan or bolero for extra coverage OR with a sweater on top and then the dress turns into a long skirt!

Of course, I added a hidden pocket and some depth with ruffles in the front to hide any food babies. BAM. Function and comfort!

Dress was free from a thrift swap!

I want something like this!

Lowering backline with adjustable straps →Waist ✨ SNATCHED✨

Remember when I said dark stretch fabric is your best friend? BC YA. Zero planning or measurements were done, I just winged it and I love the end result :)

First, I lowered the backline and with that cut out fabric, I made longer straps, to be fed through tubing along the backline to cinch in the bottom of the back line which indirectly cinched in the waist and made the front fit better on me! Best part is that the straps can be vertical or crossed and can be looser or tighter depending on the wearer! I love this thrift flip because the fabric is also thin and flowy so it is easy to tuck into structure pants which converts it into a cowl neck and scoop back black strappy top!

Versatility ✔
Comfort ✔

dress was free from a thrift swap!

Book a Consultation ☞

Too Big pants + Too Small shorts= Just Right shorts!

I’m a sucker for anything corduroy.

I had these cute denim shorts that were size 00 so I couldn’t breathe in them and then I had this pair of pink corduroy pants from a friend that were WAY too big for me to realistically take in the waist to fit me.
SO I sewed a pair of shorts with one panel from the large corduroy pink pants which lengthen the waistband by a few centimeters!

I decided to also add corduroy detailing to the opposite front pocket for balance and I kept the back all denim because I didn’t want it to look too checkered. Also, I learned that corduroy gets dirty easily so it was smart that I kept the back fabric denim.

The design of these shorts were inspired by those split dye mom jeans that were trendy Summer ’21.

I’m very proud of myself for pulling this one off!! Sewing the zipper was the most challenging part don’t ask me how, I just did it.

Levi denim shorts were thrifted and the pink corduroy was hand-me-down from my friend (thx Lud <3)

I want my clothes upcycled

Sewing Alterations Services✦

Wear clothes comfortably & confidently--on a budget!

1. Dm me about what type of alterations you are looking for and propose 3 times in that week that you are available. (refer to @alt.byk page to get a better picture of what I can do and how I do it!)

2. We’ll schedule an in-person consultation for taking measurements and before-pics (15 min). Then I will take the clothes to sew the discussed alterations by the agreed upon timeline

3. I meet with you in-person again for the final fitting, after-pics, and payment. (I accept Venmo or Zelle)

DM me through instagram

Sewing Alterations Service✦

Wear clothes comfortably & confidently, on a budget!

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