Thrifted Quick Fixes on a Curvy Body! Ft. @SierraSchultzzie

In this video I am teaming up with @SierraSchultzzie to show you how to alter clothes on a curvier body. We had so much fun collabbing on this video and hope it helps you out. I think we need a second episode so let us know down in the comments if you'd like to see more. Also be sure to head over to Sierra's channel to learn how to thrift like a pro and subscribe to Sierra for more fabulous fashion videos!
Sierra's Video: • Video
Subscribe to Sierra's Channel: / @sierraschultzzie
Subscribe to my second channel for behind the scenes and vlogs: / coolirpashow
SEWING EQUIPMENT:
Pattern Making Book:
amzn.to/2Gzx7W9
Draping Book: amzn.to/2NjL4O4
Sewing machine - Juki HZL-G Series
amzn.to/2yqjaro
Dress Forms for Draping:
go.magik.ly/ml...
Rotary Cutter: amzn.to/2uo1NnS
Rotary Cutting Mat: amzn.to/2zuFfHK
Loop Turner: amzn.to/2uqV9wS
Fabric Marking Pen: amzn.to/2N9EKFd
Sewing Clear Ruler: amzn.to/2N5pdpM
FILMING EQUIPMENT:
My camera:
Canon G7X Mark II - go.magik.ly/ml...
Microphone:
go.magik.ly/ml...
Lights:
go.magik.ly/ml...
go.magik.ly/ml...
Follow Me:
Snap: c00lirpa
/ coolirpa
/ coolirpa

[@Ash-xx5zd]

I really like your humility. You paused and stated something u didnt have to admit. It was so human and just very personable!

[@coolirpa]

I hope this video helps some of you out! Remember that DIY is all about making clothes fit the way you want it to. Everyone's style is different so DO YOU and wear it with confidence :) Thank you for watching!!!

[@Delta_Reads]

Thank you for posting content for curvy girls! We make up a majority of the female population! (theres so many videos to make stylish pieces smaller, not so much vice versa). New subbie from Australia! 💖 PS loved the video of your aunts dress too! Just beautiful xo

[@Yuliana-ze6it]

I love your video.. but can you give more slowly instruction? I'm new of sewingg so it's difficult 😂

[@cettevieenrose]

I love how this collab worked out. It is clear you were both so respectful of each other and that you were happy to learn!

[@coolirpa]

Thank you! We definitely got to know each other throughout this collab and Sierra is amazing! Love her

[@Hermyoni33]

That first skirt would have looked so nice with two cutouts of faux leather added to each side vs. the one panel trying to blend in.

[@aanichka]

ooooo im now imagining leather panels on various clothing

[@Jessa8891]

I agree. It was a flop for me. The proper way to alter it would have been to just lower the waist to fit her but since she added a panel there should have been on on the other side.

[@felicialovesnkotb]

@@Jessa8891 Except Sierra doesn't like low waisted bottoms. She always wears high-waisted items and the point was to make something that she liked and would feel comfortable in.

[@daalelli]

@@felicialovesnkotb Lowering the waist would not have moved it down her body, it would have moved the waist on the skirt to a larger part of the opening. If the cut across the bottom hadn't already been made, the skirt would have been shorter like she wanted and the waist would have been big enough to fit at the height she prefers.

[@felicialovesnkotb]

@@daalelli that would be widening the wasist line, not lowering the waist. Two different things.

[@andreariego6799]

Omg! I literally followed both separately and all the time I see your transformations I always think “well this obviously works for April cause she’s flawlessly slim” but looking at the amazing transformations you did for Sierra now I think it can work for everyone 💖

[@coolirpa]

Andrea Riego aww thanks so much! I’m glad this can help show you how to do alterations on a different body 😊

[@danasalman2441]

Andrea Riego ryguh

[@suzettebeersingh8004]

Yes! Finally. While I think her style is amazing, a lot of the pieces are for the extremely youthful. Would Love to see some more sophisticated updated transformations

[@SimplyMoiii]

I give her props for feeling comfortable with wearing crop tops! 👏🏼👏🏼 I am a curvy girl myself and have never felt comfortable wearing them!

[@coolirpa]

Sierra has so much confidence! I couldn't have asked for a better model :)

[@behindtheseyes1]

Check out Sierra's channel! She will help build your confidence as a curvy girl and give you great style ideas for your shape! Im a curvy girl too and i love her channel ;)

[@andreaescalante8501]

Sierra is amazing! I started following her not long ago and I can't express how much her videos helped me to get along with my body

[@sarahandah9045]

Definitely follow Sierra! She is so confident and body-positive

[@IonIsFalling7217]

I'm not particularly curvy but I feel so uncomfortable in crop tops. I give kudos to her big time!

[@jessirarara]

Please please please make more of these! I'm a curvy girl and I REALLY want to make my own clothes and to alterations. This video gives me so much inspiration. I would love to see more!

[@ΑθηνάΝτριζάκου-μ2β]

Not trying to steal any thunder here, but.... Do you know Blueprint DIY staring Angelina ? It's all a curvy girl would ever want.

[@mspatti]

I like the navy flowered top best. Second choice was the georgette skirt. It was fun watching you work with different body types. I learned something, and liked hearing you talk about what you learned as well. Very favorite episode.

[@AusRocker]

Well done girls ! I’m a dress designer and have made clothes for myself and others for years. It’s great to get a perfect fit for yourself that way

[@coolirpa]

Thank you! I totally agree :)

[@anoushkasingh9074]

Unrelated but you’re so gorgeous!

[@cb9825]

I really love how much effort you put into sewing. I notice that sometimes it's just easier to sew a new skirt than to work with an existing one (I sew occasionally for myself and for my daughter who is 9). but I love the idea of using the thrifted clothes, the eco-friendly way of renewing your wardrobe.

[@teresacarle294]

April: ❤your mad sewing skills + positive attitude. Thrift fix vids refresh dated items. They also give us confidence to shop our own closet to make needed changes. Thx for upcycling for a curvy gurl. Whether buy used or new, those w/a hourglass shape need to tweak things. No matter your weight, you tend to size up to fit bust/hips. That leaves extra fabric at waistline. 💚💛💙

[@lindaney390]

Sierra looks great in her new outfits, and I love her efforts to help girls and women appreciate their beauty and body size. It's something I have had a problem with since the 60s during the "Twiggy" era. Also, April, I appreciate young women like you and Annika Victoria who are teaching young people the value of sewing and especially, thrifting.

[@tynebaker]

Good job on these. The floral shirt is my favourite! I wouldn’t have thought to crop it but it is a very flattering choice.

[@valeriebecerra4732]

The skirt is HANDS DOWN my favorite of all. So stunning! Great job April!

[@ghosting_radio]

I love that they're both so okay with embracing their own bodies and selfs plus I think how much they compliment and how friendly they are with each other is really cute

[@jadeholland6342]

Hi April, I love your channel and am teaching myself to sew one piece at a time 😊 but being a plus size girl your tutes on thrift alterations haven’t been that applicable to me. It was really great to see you branch out and work with this lovely girl. As you can see, plus size sewing requires more fabric and body shape movement awareness. I like how you note the differences so you can grow from it. Sewing for yourself is so much easier, but learning another body shape would be like learning another language and that would just be time and patience. Would be great so see you engage in more of this as your knowledge and videos are just wonderful and I get so much out of them. Thanks for sharing xx

[@theresabajorek]

Finally! It’s been so hard to find curvy girl hacks for fashion and this is so so so so so SO helpful. So happy for this collab, thanks April and Sierra!

[@maryann1608]

Wow thank you for this! It was great witnessing how you got to learn about somebody else's reality with a different body shape. Thank you for being so open!

[@rhijulbec1]

APRIL! I just love how you show mistakes and tell us how to fix them. I'm a curvy woman and it's great to see modifications for us too! Jenn 💖 in Canada 🍁

[@lz738]

I think the issue is not just that it's not your body, but curvy bodies are more difficult to fit, in general. I'm a curvy sewer and I know this from experience that curvy bodies are just harder to sew for.

[@coolirpa]

Elle Zee agreed. This was a great first time and experience for me 🙂

[@prayonkreutz2398]

Yep, I am Petite ( short) & curvy ( chubby). I find that petite clothes are proportioned for skinny people & Plus size are proportioned for tall people. I am always custom tailoring my clothes. I don't have the sewing skills to do much, but, I'm learning. (Reason I'm subscribed!)

[@slovniricka]

Prayon Kreutz yes, that is so true! I am short and everything is made for the kids who has waist like 50...I don’t get it. Just because we are short doesnt mean that we are skinny as kids. Now I have S, but I dont know, what I will do, if I will need M. Because I already need xxs-xs for lenght, and S for waist.

[@broganmckoko]

True. I'm a petite pear shape. It's almost to find ready made clothes that fit me. Either the shoulder span is too wide or the bust is too narrow or the waist is too small. And if I buy for my hips then everything above it is huge. That's largely why I got into sewing.

[@Piratenbraut]

my issue is that I have really uneven fat distribution. It's almost all on my belly and that makes it hard to find ANYTHING that looks good

[@rubymimosa]

Sierra you are beautiful! And April, thank you for putting together and giving ideas and tutorials for alterations for curvy women.

[@timmabbb]

My thing to do with skirts that don't fit are to put two separate vertical blocks down the sides... In a darker colour than whatever colour the skirt is as that slims you down

[@AnnimeH]

I always love to see your quick fix videos :) they are so helpful to people just starting on sewing. I would have loved to see the blue top to be transformed into a peplum top!

[@justinamoniz]

That floral top turned out so well! I love seeing the two of you together!

[@TYSUSHOP]

Great video! As I were watching your video I was going through my fabric cabinet. Taking inventory of ALL my fabrics and refolding them as well as putting away the bags of NEW ones I have bought this month. I am going to start planning what I need to make and what I want to make. So, your video came at the right time. I LOVE your fabric choices for the coat and liner it is going to be beautiful.

[@alexdnda]

FINALLY. Any time I watch April’s videos I always think yeah it looks great but she could wear a garbage bag and it would still look great on her body. So cool to see her talent on a curvy body.

[@leahloolabelle2884]

The skirt at the end is perfect. I can't imagine not gathering it like you did because it added such a great shape to it. Not only a hi low but almost like a mermaid cut but higher on hips instead of at the knees. So a cropped mermaid skirt is what I'm gonna think of this style now.

[@Michelle-fi3ze]

I watch Sierra's channel all the time! So fun to watch you guys together. 2 of my favourite channels/people.

[@mamabear4009]

All very cute transformations! I especially love the last skirt, the chiffon one. It looks SO good on you Sierra!

[@veronicajackson1674]

I love this episode so much... Sierra looked amazing in the clothes she picked.. you did amazing in fitting it loved them all

[@iamabeliever4life]

wearing bigger clothes makes a person look bigger. your friend probably knows that and to not care about her curves is very high esteem indeed. so proud of her. and April, you are awesome in your talent!! you made her look like a diva!

[@mathildeheltdam7904]

I'm a huge fan of you, april. You inspire me so much in my own thrift flips. But I must say...... This is amazing, since I am a curvy girl. Loooove it. Really nice to see that it isn't just me who thinks it is a bit more difficult to thrift flip plus size/curvy clothes. Love it. Thank you.

[@lily21dc]

High low skirt worked out soooo great!! Fantastic work ladies!

[@MM62442]

she's so pretty, you both are. I'm glad to see women embracing their curvy figures and friends supporting each other. So nice :)

[@judywestbrook2034]

Wow you're a natural at both garment alterations AND making great tutorial videos! Great job! Please make more & BTW the collab. w/ Sierra Schultzzie if FABULOUS, Ladies!!! (I too love both recycling from thrift shops & sewing 'unique' creations for my curvy female figure)

[@lauranull5946]

Sierra is so lovely! Regarding the first skirt alteration , I would shorten it from the top, by lowering the waist to the point at which it fits comfortably. Of course, you then have to rework the waistline finish. The waistband can be added to with the material cut off, but you can also simply face and interface the waist, eliminating the waistband altogether.

[@kathylind3036]

I love the pin tucked on the second dress. You could also do a side over tuck top and one of my favorites, a slit in the back top. Excellent!!!

[@cy24]

Loved this! I'm a big lady and can understand the struggle to find clothes that fit me well. I want to see more collabs for other body types.

[@taiyaduncker8823]

Love that you were watching Brooklyn Nine Nine at the same time as doing the skirt. NINE NINE!

[@honeypeggylou]

Great job! Really enjoyed watching you transform the thrift shop items. I’m a big plus size and I’m always looking for ways to upgrade pieces of clothing I already own and love that need an upgrade. Making the first cut is always scary. You just flew through and made serious changes like it was easy! Thanks for the confidence! 🥰❤️💜🥳

[@wondafaith8621]

Great job with those curvy clothes. Sierra is a great model. She's a natural!

[@Vladjenka]

Hey girls! I'm so glad April found a little more curvy model! I've always watched those transformations with a voice at the back of my mind going: "Yeah, that shape/cutout/lenght wouldn't work for me." But I still got inspired. Sierra's shape is closer to my own and this inspires me even more! I wouldn't probably go as high with those skirts, but it looked bomb on Sierra. Good job!

[@dindog22]

doing alterations for people takes a lot of practice and unfortunately you always learn the hard way on the job. I've been doing alterations for 25 years and there are still things that throw me a curve ball. You're always going to be learning different techniques and tricks. Don't get down on yourself.

[@munequitafp]

Yes yes yes!

[@Nurse3811]

I would love to do alterations on a more regular basis , out of my home . I’ve been doing hemming , altering size , and zipper replacement successfully as a side job from being a nurse for decades. However I did an emergency bridal dress adjustment ( because “David’s Bridal was too expensive “) and what a nightmare -the bride said the bodice was not tight enough, even though I saw videos of her dancing her booty off in the dress at the wedding... it really ruined my confidence and I got to get back up on the saddle... Any hints???

[@kayking3488]

Agree!

[@silvergirl7810]

Wendy Price I totally understand what you’re talking about with bridezillas and people just being dishonest in general. I was doing a jewelry business and working so hard at it trying to get it up and going only to have a bride complain about her ring 2 years after the fact unjustly and try to extort money and to top it all off -she wanted me to give her more jewelry until she was happy! It’s like you can’t do anything nowadays with people. And even though I’m talented at it and was at one point really excited about this little business of mine- I immediately stopped doing all of it and haven’t picked up any of my stuff since. She ruined it for everybody. Including me.

[@mandymckk]

This is the video that first introduced me to Sierra and I’m so happy I did! She’s still one of my absolute favorite KZbinrs.

[@giaalvarado2063]

Thank you for doing this April. I always show my husband what you do and hes like "yeah but shes tiny" Haha.

[@Ellaodi]

Sierra has such incredible style and these fixes are exactly what ive been looking for!!! Thank you guys SO MUCH

[@HollyMae55]

Thanks for making a curvy clothing video! We need more content like this. :)

[@cassandrafranklin650]

I have three challenges for you April, both are based on vintage ideas. My grandmother remembers her grandmother (my grate-grate-grate grandmother) taking a Sears and Robucks catalogue and asking my great aunt to pick something out and she would make a pattern based off of a picture that she saw. My great-great great grandmother took newspapers and created her pattern out of them, before using feedsacks for sewing. Another challenge that you can do is use old vintage cloth feedsacks and design something out of it. My final challenge is using vintage bandannas or hankies and designing something out of it. Feel free to use all three or only one of the challenges. Half the fun (I think) will be trying to find the vintage materials and the other half will be upcyclying them. I really enjoy watching your videos and they inspire me to learn more about sewing.

[@meaganramos25]

Everything looks so good!! Now I'm in a sewing mood. I feel like making things

[@amysharp4679]

Humility is awesome! I’m glad you learned too! You’re amazing!

[@rosemarymonty5399]

Great job. Particularly the blouse looks fabulous on Sierra.

[@theaandthemugs]

Congrats to you both girls! April, you are very talented, and watching you is such an inspiration! Sierra, your style is amazing and really beautiful!

[@milosings123]

I absolutely love your ideas!!!! I would love to see some ideas for older women who perhaps don't like to wear sleeveless anymore. The modern , modest transformation!

[@WhereTheBeaversLive]

I ADORE the blue floral top! As a chesty girl I always steer away from that style..now I know what to do when I see one! (because they always have the prettiest florals on them)

[@rhijulbec1]

Hi April! Have you ever thought of perhaps doing an equipment review? So we can see what you like/don't like, the "new" products you think are gimics and not necessary, your favourite pieces that you use over and over? I, for one, would love to see how you decide what's absolutely necessary for you AND for both a noobie and pro tailor. Would you be able to do that? I understand that you maybe can't really talk about brands (or can you? ☺) but I think it would be a wonderful learning opportunity. Thank you Jenn 💖

[@muffintop6874]

Omg this could be a new series of you thrifting with different body types and refashion them to fit better. Love it!!!

[@meaganramos25]

Yay!! I've been waiting for this collab!! I love Sierra's channel!! Love that we can see these quick fixes on a different body type!

[@Linaker22]

the second dress with that cardigan is so good!

[@lizrose369]

Love that last skirt transformation! :D This makes me want to "shop my closet" and try to update things that I already have

[@stephanieswtchks800]

THANK YOU Sierra for teaming up. Needed this video so incredibly much! Both of you ladies are amazing!

[@villagesteader3552]

I am curvy and have done this with skirts but I actually made the waist bigger by cutting the waist band off and lowered it made new waistband from bottom of skirt! I love your channel!

[@kscheuerman5378]

I understand everything you said at the end of the video. I am 57 yrs. old and have been sewing for 41 years and have learned many new things from watching your videos! Remember no person is perfect. Practice only make us better! I always enjoy your videos no mater what. Thanks so much for inspiring and teaching me!

[@awefullcreations9483]

I love how honest you are about things you could do better next time! This was an amazing collab!!! Loved it!

[@paigehooper589]

loved this i love adjusting the clothes i buy to suit me also love Sierra's channel and all the tips she gives for curvy people id love for you both to do more videos together

[@katlescraftpatch9605]

Great tips! Fantastic job April. Love what you do!!!

[@sarahandah9045]

Yes!! I love both you and Sierra, I already followed both of your channels, so when I saw that you did a collab together, I was so excited! I would definitely love to see more

[@parkviewmo]

So cute and a great idea! I would love to update things I find in thrift stores! Now is time to get my sewing machine out and make friends with it! Yes, I hope you collaborate again!

[@camillehartung637]

I just found this video. I have all the same issues with my clothes and this is why I’m learning to sew. Your tutorial was priceless to me. I just wish you can show how to make any high neck shirt into a v neck for us big chested women. Also to learn the darting for us curvy women. Thanks Camille

[@rachaelmt2984]

first few seconds in and im already loving it. i struggle with belly fat all the time being on chronic meds and overeating due to meds - i am looking forward to the rest of this video - yay - thank you

[@LolahsChannel]

Enjoyed the collab. Curvy is more challenging than a straight figure and I liked that you are learning. I would love to see other collabs with Sierra and anyone else that has a different body type than yours. I have learned a lot from your channel. Good job.

[@pinkmacprincess]

What an amazing transformations on the outfits!

[@GlitterPenPerspective]

I haven’t heard of your channel before until I watched on sierra’s video. I love your creativity and how you give these clothes a new life! You’re killing the game, girly! I feel inspired.

[@fluffypocky]

I WAS JUST BLESSED WITH BOTH OF THESE AMAZING KZbinRS IN MY NOTIFICATIONS

[@coolirpa]

Awww thank you!!!!

[@mscharliw]

the high/low skirt was my fave.. just loved it

[@RememberTheLord]

Omg not only did I learn from you, but she taught me a lot about dressing more flattering for curves!!! Thank you both! I hope you collaborate again ASAP!

[@eileenfb1948]

It is a better balance when letting out a skirt waist if you put the piece in at the centre back. But this would have been seen unless she wore a hip length over top. You did a great job. The side strip could have been put in anywhere around the skirt - in a contrasting colour. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@HosCreates]

This is amazing! I wish I had this video when I was sewing a elastic band for a curvy clients dress. Mind blown, please do more !

[@Makanaakua9]

This big girl has been waiting for curvy thrift fixes!!! ❤️❤️

[@angelmooncloud]

I follow both of them but I did not expect this collab!!!!! But this collab was AWESOME!!!!

[@poatchiboatchi605]

Im curious. For the first skirt would it not have been easier to shorten it from the top instead of the bottom? Then you wouldn't have had to add the extra fabric? But then again the top does have the waistband (though you did kinda mess with the waistband a tiny bit) and the detailing.... Hmmm. Sorry no hate just wondering because I want to try it myself but I am nowhere near as skilled as you April so I want to find the most convenient way to do so...

[@panikacyboran1784]

My mom always ask me to do this in this way, and yes, it's easier. Also we just put some elastic instead zipper, cos she likes it better.

[@BanaiFeldstein]

That was my thought. If you have to buy more material, it kind of defeats the purpose. I had several old skirts and dresses that didn't fit. So I cut off the top and made a new waist where each fit around me. I didn't deliberately shorten them because I like long skirts, so it was good they were already long.

[@pegsbarton6353]

I've shortened from the top on both trousers and skirts, or I should say, my friend helped me do this. The trousers were full height waist and went to a naval height, which was comfier for me. The skirt didn't look so different but was a much betterfit. I don't curve in at the waist much, more like a man in hip/waist ratio so it's a problem I have with clothes.

[@Ingechocolate]

But if you take it in from the top, wouldn't the original waistband be too small to reattach?

[@pegsbarton6353]

@@Ingechocolate Yes it would but it's quite easy to use/or make a bias tape to turn in the new waist and create a neat finish. Personally I don't wear stuff tucked in my waistband so the smoother and flatter the finish the more I like it.

[@CranberryMuffiness]

This is so helpful with the center darts and taking the dress in at the zipper! I always try to take in the sides and it never fits as well as I want it to!!

[@maureenchilaka446]

Intend to start my own refashioning and upcycle business. You guys really came in handy. And you did an amazing job. And I love your simplicity and humility.

[@cainnerojudaslegion]

The high low skirt was my favourite!

[@Mykasan]

The chiffon skirt is so pretty ! The black crop top too!

[@maribeld84]

I love it! The dress was my favorite. At first when you said you were taking in the flowly shirt I thought, 'NO! It looks great (and it did!)! ' But more fitted looked really nice on Sierra too.

[@FrancescaA00]

I love all the styles, the one was too short but you kinda admitted that. That's awesome of you. Great collaboration.

[@AmberWestbrook]

I love how your videos get better and better every time. I've been watching these forever! Keep up the awesome content. You rock.

[@groovymel]

Wow Sierra is so beautiful, what an inspiration! I was both taught and inspired by this video, thank you!

[@rachelhartjes313]

You are truly talented!! Holey moley I wish i had this talent! I need to learn to sew! Lol. Amazing 👏👏👏

[@arieljade275]

I LOVVVE the off the shoulder flower top... I want one!! SO cute!

[@muffintop6874]

Love the collab, awesome job ladies. Love to see more of different body types series. Because April you have a slim model perfect body.

[@susienk]

Wow! Two of my favorites on one screen.

[@teresaellis7062]

Something I just learned: if you have a skirt that doesn't fit in the waist and you also want it shorter...cut waist down to the length you want and give it a new waist band. Two problems, one solution. Well, another solution.😊 My previous upsizing was what you did, but I would use a crazy fun pattern to make two side panels to widen the skirt. But I was also upsizing a denim skirt that I liked the length of and it was a loud enough pattern that I thought would be overwhelming as a full skirt, but great as an accent.

[@archanatiwari6939]

Hi April..Love your tutorials.. loved everything u altered.. Can u please do one tutorial where you can show how to use some of old cloths n make them into maternity wear.. pregnant women tend to change size so they need many cloths n maternity wear r expensive n not reusable..

[@ReesieRoo1]

Aww this collab is so cute!! Love the revamps and perfect amount of how-to

[@bpaulsen6701]

I found two beautiful sequined/beaded dresses for $6 apiece. I could probably easily replace the lost beads/sequins. But, the dresses are also a little too small. It would be great to see your ideas for repurposing the material without it falling apart. Or, a way to add to the back or sides without it being too obvious...salvage the bodice only, and use the skirt material to expand the back or something. Obviously, I'm very new to this. Your ability to eyeball things is amazing! Even if I'd been doing it forever, I'd end up with a quilting square and not even know where I went wrong. THANKS!

[@bbsclosetcreations]

Last skirt was sooo pretty and flowy !!! She worked it in that skirt :) as for me my mama pudge would have showed through that upper elastic fitted area :( im jealous of her confidence!!!

[@rebeccajones9757]

Sierra is so beautiful. I love seeing thrifted clothes made for curvy women. So many thrift flips are shrinking clothes, but we need to know how to expand them too.

[@mariannerady1137]

Oh I LOVE this so much! Esp that you shared the learnings you had. Great tips, thank you so much! Please make more diff. body types!