[The following is a guest post from our gal pals at CollegeFashion.net. They're like the college Rachel Zoe (sans baby bump). Have you checked them out yet?!]

At CollegeFashion, we work to bring you affordable, fashion-forward looks each and every day – but the easiest way to save money on clothing is to take care of the clothes you already own!

After three years in college, I’ve lost countless coat buttons, ripped multiple belt loops and bought (a few) new pairs of pants rather than hemming a pair I already owned. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to accept that I can’t always afford to buy new clothing – but I can afford a $5 sewing kit.

Now, I don’t claim to be an expert on sewing, but below, I’ll share a few sewing tricks that will help you get the most out of your wardrobe favorites. (Okay, one tip doesn’t involve sewing – but it’s totally invaluable, I swear!)

Sewing on a Button
As the weather gets colder, everyone starts to layer on sweaters and cardigans. The problem is that with all that wear comes some tear. Most pieces purchased from typical retailers will come with an extra button or two attached, to preempt the future missing button problem. For cardigans from discount retailers, like T.J. Maxx, you may be on your own if a button goes rogue.

Luckily, most small sewing kits come with basic black and white buttons. These will get you through a few weeks until you can get to a craft store and get a matching button. No matter what option you have, taking a few minutes to replace a missing button will get you a lot more use out of your favorite outerwear. These directions assume you’re using a button with the basic two holes.

1. Choose the closest color thread that you have (white and black are the best options to have on hand) to the color of the garment you’re fixing.
2. Cut a piece of thread a 1/2 yard long (about the distance from your elbow to finger).
3. Feed the thread through the eye hole of the needle.
4. Pull the thread through until the needle is in the middle of the strand, then double knot the two ends together.
5. Position the button where you’d like it and push the needle up through the fabric and one of the button holes.
6. Pull the needle and thread all the way through until the knotted end is against the back of the fabric.
7. Push the needle downwards through the second hole and the fabric.
8. Repeat the last two steps 6-7 times to secure the button and finish with a knot on the inside of the garment.

Learn how to easily hem your jeans (something that costs $20-$40 at a tailor!) and fix a broken zipper by clicking right here.

Got room for some condoms in there?

OK, so you have your bedding, your towels, and your laptop; you think you’re ready to move off for your freshman year of college. Before you go, though, there are a couple of things that a freshman might not think to bring that will make dorm life a million times easier.

Take it from me, after 2 years in the dorms, I have this down to a science. Make room in those duffels, people; there are ten more things you’re going to have to squeeze in there.

#1 Tool Box
Yes, seriously, a tool box. My freshman year roommate had a brilliant aunt who bought her a mini tool kit as a high school graduation present (it was pink and girly). We used that thing more than anything else in the room. Yes, even our TV. Your bike break? A nail fall out of that little nightstand you bought from Ikea? Your ex leave something valuable at your place and you want to smash it? (JK….sorta.) You’ll have everything you need in that little box. Guys down the hall even borrowed our tools, so it’s even a social item!

#2 Condoms
This should just be common sense. Even if you don’t plan on having sex in college, you seriously never know what will happen, so be smart and prepare! The best part is that this one you don’t really even need to buy; most schools give them away for free at the student health center, so hop on over there and stock up.

#3 Duct Tape
This one is along the same lines as #1; it pretty much fixes anything. But beyond that, there’s some awesome stuff you can do with duct tape for really cheap room decor! I’ve seen everything from duct tape vases to closet doorway “beads.”

#4 Oven Mitt
Believe me when I say the stuff that you make in your little dorm microwave is HOT. I’ve burned my fingers on too many Easy Mac bowls to not give this as advice. Save your fingers, get a mitt!

#5 Febreeze
Whether you ran out of clean clothes and don’t have time (or quarters) for laundry, you spent the night at a frat party surrounded by drunk smokers, or you’ve been doing your own smokin’ in the dorm room and don’t want the R.A. to find out, Febreeze will save the day every time.

#6 Mini-Vacuum
Probably my dumbest move of freshman year was getting a navy blue rug. That sucker showed every.single.spec.of.dirt.EVER. I ended up buying a little, mini-vacuum for $10 and it was soooo handy, and not just for the rug. Or all those times I spilled Rice Krispies. Without being able to open windows, dust gathers much faster in a dorm room. It was a life saver for my allergies.

#7 First Aid Kit
Make your mom happy and get a small thing of Band-Aids, aspirin, triple antibiotic ointment, and various other helpful items. You’re not going to be invincible; you will get cuts and scrapes…and hangovers. This will be your best friend until the end.

#8 Message Board for Your Door (with an attached marker!)
This is crucial if you have a roommate. You will most likely go days without seeing each other with all the studying, classes, and late night activities you’ve got going on. This is the best way to keep in touch with a hectic schedule. My roommate and I always had a “code drawing” so that if we had a guy in the room, we’d draw it and the other roommate would know to vacate the premises. It’s also great to leave each other nice messages to cheer each other up!

#9 Book Light
Yeah, desk lamps are great, but one you can clip on to your book is even better. Roommates often live on opposite schedules and you must prepare for that. My freshman year roommate always studied when I was trying to sleep, and my sophomore roommate always slept when I studied. It really makes everyone happy when you just get a mini book light. You can see what you’re reading, and your roommate won’t be disturbed.

#10 Sewing Kit
Buttons fall off. Clothes rip. Costumes need jerry-rigging. So much stuff can be fixed with a needle and thread. Fortunately, I worked in the theater department’s costume shop my freshman year and learned how to sew. If you don’t know how, find someone who does and get a quick lesson before you head off to college. Then pack this tiny life saver. Hell, it might even be a form of income; the guys next door to me would pay me to fix their stuff for them. Beautiful.

1. Stitch n Bitch, by Debbie Stoller

I consider myself a pretty crafty lady, so when the whole knitting craze hit a couple years ago (remember – Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Hudson started and it just took off?), I had to get in on it too! I tried watching videos online and I bought several knitting magazines, but I just couldn’t master the whole casting-on thing. I was down in the dumps about my inability to master this new craft, when along came a little gem called “Stitch n Bitch.” Now, I figured that any knitting book that had the word “bitch” in the title had to be good (and sassy!), so I picked myself up a copy. And guess what? The genius that is Debbie Stoller finally taught me to cast-on! Debbie is so down to earth and makes knitting so fun and hip! This book is great for beginners, but also has pattens that keep seasoned knitters intrigued and on their toes.

2. 99 Ways to Cut, Sew & Deck-out your Denim, by Faith Blakeney

If you’ve kept up with celebrity fashion (again, another pursuit that falls by the wayside during sweatpant season, aka the school year), you’ll know that denim is hitting the runway HARD. Denim vests, acid-washed jeans, chambray shirts – everyone is loving denim for summer. And, if you’re frugal like me, you have issues forking over $60 for a trendy, denim piece that you may only get a couple wears out of. The solution? A little DIY! “99 Ways…” is full of great ways to re-use those decade-old pair of jeans that you’ve hung on to. Even if you don’t have any old denim, you can just run to a thrift store and get a pair from the dollar bin for these projects. They range from simple to advanced and with 99 of them, you’re bound to be occupied all summer long.

3. Sew U, by Wendy Mullin

Better known as the fashion genius behind home-grown label “Built by Wendy,” Wendy Mullin has decided to share her wisdom with the world! “Sew U” is touted as “The Guide to Making Your Own Wardrobe,” which is a great summer project. Imagine coming back to campus sporting homemade duds that look like they’re expensive, one-of-a-kind designer pieces! This book is really great because it not only teaches you how to sew your own clothes, but also really educates you about the art of clothing design. It’s great to see a fashion designer take the time to write a book that is so informative and inspirational for young crafters. She makes sure that have a full understanding of the garments before you dig-in and create. You’ll find yourself looking at clothes you purchase in a different light, so not only will you be a creator, but also a better consumer!

4. Generation T, by Megan Nicolay

Similar to “99 Ways…”, this one shows you 108 different projects that range from very easy to very difficult and allow you to re-use your old tees. I don’t know about you, but I’ve got an unhealthy-sized collection of old t-shirts just waiting to be made into something beautiful and wearable. You can choose to refurbish the tees into new shirts, skirts, ipod cases or even a wedding dress (yes, insane, but I totally admired their zaniness!). The instructions are great and simple and make sure that they keep the supplies to a minimum, so you can use what you have around the house. This book is a great backbone and encourages experimentation, like tie dyeing the shirts after you re-create them.

Have fun!

Whether worn over a cute spring dress or paired with skinny jeans, the basic boyfriend blazer is a must-have for every woman’s closet. Now don’t get me wrong, I obviously love me a basic black boyfriend blazer (say that five times fast… I dare you), but it can also look pretty boring and plain.

So if you want to add a little punch or color to your traditional blazer, here is an easy and fun way to update your boyfriend blazer with a patterned cuff.

What You’ll Need:

A boyfriend blazer: Use one you already own or pick one up that’s cheap and chic at Marshalls, Target, or TJ-Maxx. To really get into the season, try a white blazer.

Fabric: Pick any color or pattern that strikes your fancy. You can go bold with something bright and solid; channel Lily Pulitzer with some bright florals; or go for a classic Burberry style with a red, black and beige plaid. Really, the opportunities are endless, so find something that’s you. You’ll need about 3 feet of fabric, so just get a yard (as most craft stores cut by the yard). Joann’s Fabric has a huge and fun selection.

Sewing materials: Needle and thread in black or a color that matches your fabric pattern. A sewing machine if you feel so inclined. A seam ripper if you’ll be recycling an old BF blazer.

What You’ll Do:

1. Make your cuff: using your own blazer as a guide, wrap your fabric around the end of your jacket sleeve so you can see how long your cuff will need to be. (Much like how you would tie a string around your wrist to see where the string needs to be cut so it will fit your wrist properly). With a pen, mark the spot where the fabric meets the fabric.

(Note: you’ll obviously need to do all of these steps twice, unless you only want one cuff!)

2. Now with your fabric on a flat surface, add two inches lengthwise to the spot you marked and mark again.

3. Figure out how wide you want your cuff to be. Double that number and mark your fabric. (So if you want a 4-5 inch cuff, you should cut your fabric 8-10 inches wide.) Now cut out your piece of fabric accordingly. You’ll end up with a big rectangular piece of fabric.

4. Fold your piece of fabric in half, length wise (hot-dog style) with the pattern side showing. The wrong sides of your fabric should be pressed together. Sew the edges of the fabric together starting at the left side. Do not sew the sides together. Now you have one long, folded piece of fabric, which is your cuff!

5. If your blazer has a cuff already, use a seam ripper to undo the previous cuff fabric or lining. If not, fold back the end of your blazer sleeve a few inches.

6. Sew what will be the bottom of your cuff  (when the sleeve is rolled up) into the inside of the jacket sleeve. You’ll essentially be sewing in a circle around the sleeve. This will be near the edge of the actual sleeve, which will allow you to expose the cuff without losing any sleeve length.

7. When you’ve finished sewing and the two ends meet, fold back the edges a few centimeters so you can create a nice, even seam and sew them together in the back. (You will not see this when the sleeve is rolled up.)

8. Now fold back your cuff on the blazer sleeve. It should look like a finished blazer cuff now. I like the loose cuff look, but if you want a more secure blazer sleeve, sew the top part of the cuff to the actual blazer sleeve..

9. Finally, work that blazer with style and when people ask where your chic new piece is from, proudly tell them you made it!

A few pairs of old jeans are probably taking up some of your precious closet space right now. They don’t fit, they’re out of style, and you haven’t worn them in years. But don’t be so quick to throw them out! And stop spending all that extra money on overpriced new ones! Jeans are the easiest clothing items to update. Here are some ideas:

1. Turn them into shorts or a skirt. This DIY project is actually pretty easy, especially if you know how to use (and have access to) a sewing machine. If not, enlist the help of a friend who has such talents. To turn jeans into shorts, you just have to cut them to the appropriate length and then sew a new hem (then pair them with the perfect accessories for an adorable summer outfit!). Making a skirt can be a little more complicated, but still do-able. For step-by-step instructions, visit this site.

2. Roll ‘em up. Possibly the easiest option out of these three, cuffing your denim is a simple way to solve the problem of jeans that are too short. To avoid looking overly casual, pair this look with heels. Wear a long, slim fitting top to balance it out.

Shoes & Top – Charlotte Russe
Jeans – Express

3. Rip ‘em up! Don’t you hate when jeans get an awkward hole in them? One that is totally, obviously not really supposed to be there? Well, solve that issue by just ripping a few more holes! This is another DIY project that is totally easy – anyone can do it! Plus, your parents won’t be able to harass you about spending $50 on ripped up pants. Click here for step-by-step instructions.

These ripped Acne jeans are $375 at net-a-porter.com. Rip them yourself for free!

[Main photo courtesy of  The New York Times]

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I started in the room that gave me the most problems, the office. But, as I realized when I started to go to work in this room, doing anything drastic here would be fairly fruitless. It serves a very practical purpose of housing all the things that we have no place for elsewhere and serves as my boyfriend’s dressing room for work. What I’m saying is, most of the stuff in here is his to do with as he pleases.

I’m concentrating on the computer area, where I am going to create a more efficient filing system, a better bill paying system, a better storage system for desk supplies and for old school work.

My bedroom is small as it is, made more so by the volume of things we have in it. My main objective in this room is to create more space, organize my shoes and accessories, create a tidier laundry system, and find a way to store my pants in my ridiculously small closet.

The bathroom is painfully small, and without any cabinets or room to add an over the toilet shelf system. In fact, I would go to far as to say that save a few small shelves and the medicine cabinet, there is no room for storage at all. For this room, I need to brainstorm about a way to cleanly store our toiletries and other various bathroom needs.

The hallway holds a bookshelf that contains all of our magazines, our record player and various books and videos. Honestly, because its in the hallway, we’ve paid little to no attention to it almost since we’ve moved in, adding more things but never really putting anything into order or throwing stuff away. It’s begging to be cleaned and rearranged.

Our living room is small, and full of stuff, but in fairly good order. I think doing so much in such a central room sort of serves to organize things by itself. There is a side closet that needs to be straightened up and our video game area needs to be better situated, but besides that, it’s in good shape.

The dining room, on the other hand is small and cramped. Its serves less as a dining room and more as a hallway to the kitchen, and as such the space is horribly underutilized. Here, I want to create a sewing nook and get rid of the exercise equipment that languors about. There are three built in shelves in this part of the house that I’m using now as a sort of bar. As I don’t drink that often, this needs to be changed.

The kitchen is embarrassingly small as well and as such, again, I can’t do much with it. Here, I need to arrange things more usefully on the exposed shelves, find a way to take better advantage of what small counter space I have, find a better way to store my cooking equipment and a better way to store all of our appliances.

…To be continued.