How-to: Repair an Umbrella
Fortunately, one of the most common points of breakage in an umbrella–that tip that comes unmoored from the metal support–is quite simple to repair.
Clothing + Fashion
DIY Buttons: Make Your Own Buttons from Natural or Recycled Materials
Using tools ranging from scissors to drills, using materials ranging from fallen tree branches to clamshell packaging, and, most importantly, using absolutely no additional money, I’ve been able to make a wide variety of sturdy buttons for all my sewing and craft projects. Check out the following tutorials to see how to make some DIY buttons of your own.
DIY Buttons: Make Your Own Buttons from Natural or Recycled Materials Read More 👉
What are You Making Under There? Upcycled Underwear Tutorials from Around the Web
Instead of wearing cheap, mass-produced, low-quality undergarments that have to be replaced regularly, I’ve found that sewing panties and boxer shorts, for people both big and small, really isn’t that hard. You can sew underwear from your own stash fabric–even scraps, for kids’ underwear!–or from awesome thrifted clothing, and the results are unique, way cheaper than store-bought, and often sturdier, since they can be made from higher-quality fabrics and sewn with care.
To make your own upcycled undergarments, check out these patterns and tutorials from around the web.
What are You Making Under There? Upcycled Underwear Tutorials from Around the Web Read More 👉
21 Ways to Refashion Your Wardrobe
Do you ever look at your closet and just feel like you have nothing to wear? No more! Use your crafty superpowers to revamp that wardrobe and save yourself a shopping trip.
21 Ways to Refashion Your Wardrobe Read More 👉
How-to: Add a Kangaroo Pocket to Your Favorite Skirt
I am a firm believer that skirts ought to have pockets. I mean, really – what garment isn’t improved with a little pocket action, right?
Clothing designers do not seem to agree with my pocket philosophy, though, which I think is a terrible shame. Luckily, with a little crafty know-how, you can add a pocket to almost any skirt to stash, say, your key, money, and ID for an evening out. Take that, pocket-haters!
How-to: Add a Kangaroo Pocket to Your Favorite Skirt Read More 👉
How-to: Repair a Separated Pocket
Don’t let a busted pocket mean the end for your favorite garment. You can repair instead of replacing with one simple stitch!
How-to: Repair a Separated Pocket Read More 👉
Kids Don’t Need Flame-Retardant Pajamas: Five Handmade Pajamas to Sew Yourself
My children don’t need flame-retardant pajamas, and neither do yours. I sew their pajamas myself, using some of these five simple hand-sewn pajama projects.
Kids Don’t Need Flame-Retardant Pajamas: Five Handmade Pajamas to Sew Yourself Read More 👉
Five Upcycled Tie-Dye Projects That aren’t Tacky
When it comes to upcycling thrifted or vintage fabrics, tie-dye is an easy way to instill a complete make-over. From socks to bed sheets, check out these five projects that use tie-dye to turn something dingy and old into something colorful and new.
Five Upcycled Tie-Dye Projects That aren’t Tacky Read More 👉
How-to: Make a Dress From Two Shirts
Convert two tired old shirts into a brand new/old dress. This easy tutorial takes only 30 minutes and it will give old shirts a second chance at life, as a dress!
DIY Upcycled Clothing for SUMMER!
When the weather gets hot, the hot get crafty! We’ve rounded up a few video tutorials on how to turn clothing castaways into sassy summer gear.
How-to: Shorten a Pair of Pants
Not too long ago, I showed you a quick and dirty way to take in a too big tank top, but that’s not the only way you can use your sewing skills to alter thrifted treasures! Here’s how you can shorten a pair of thrifted pants in just a few simple steps.
Three DIY Necktie Projects
Yesterday, we showed you how to add a little cute to a thrifted necktie with a felt applique, but what about the rest of the ties in your crafty stash? Don’t fret! We’ve got you covered with some super fun necktie crafts.
How-to: Fancy Up a Necktie with Applique
With Father’s Day and graduations coming up, a modded-out necktie is a perfect gift to have handy, and it’s easy as pie to dress up a thrifted necktie with a custom applique made from recycled felt! Since ties are pretty narrow, this is also a great project for felt scraps that you might have saved up.
Recycle Fabric Scraps to Fabulous Fabric Flowers
Admit it. You have fabric scraps in every drawer or shelf in your sewing room. You meant well. You wanted to be green and not throw them away. You knew you can use them up in making ‘something’. But now you are wondering, “What do I do with them all?” Don’t worry. Fabric flowers to the rescue!
Recycle Fabric Scraps to Fabulous Fabric Flowers Read More 👉
Trashion on the Runway: Upcycled Fashion Inspiration
The University of Minnesota held its annual Trashion Fashion show in April, and it’s full of upcycling inspiration!
Trashion on the Runway: Upcycled Fashion Inspiration Read More 👉
Five Trashion Fashions that You Can Recreate
From a fused plastic bag raincoat to truck tire sandals, you can create the season’s hottest trashon fashions for your own wear.
Five Trashion Fashions that You Can Recreate Read More 👉
How-to: Hold a Trashion/Refashion Fashion Show in Your Town
Need another fun weekend activity? Organize a fashion show of outfits that consist primarily from refashioned or trash materials–it’s an eco-friendly fundraiser that the entire community can participate in.
How-to: Hold a Trashion/Refashion Fashion Show in Your Town Read More 👉
Bleach Stencil Tutorial and the Environmental Impacts of Bleach
Wait a second! Bleach is not exactly the most eco-friendly product. What sort of green crafting site would recommend using bleach? Don’t fret. I promise I wouldn’t recommend something that seems kind of sketchy from an environmental standpoint without doing my research.
Bleach Stencil Tutorial and the Environmental Impacts of Bleach Read More 👉
How-to: Lengthen Your Pants with One Easy Alteration
Being able to hem a pair of pants is all well and good, but what do you do when you need to lengthen them? You check out this tutorial, that’s what!
How-to: Lengthen Your Pants with One Easy Alteration Read More 👉
Recycled Fashion: 5 DIY Accessories
Store bought accessories are no fun! Mass produced pieces are bad for the planet and lack the personality of something you made yourself. Instead of hitting the big box store for your accessory needs, why not hit your crafty stash for some recycled fashion fun instead? Here are some ways to accessorize and show off your crafty skills at the same time.
Recycled Fashion: 5 DIY Accessories Read More 👉
Recycled Bride Reveals 2011’s Hottest Sustainable Wedding Trends
11 Ways to Make Your Wedding Sustainable
Recycled Bride Reveals 2011’s Hottest Sustainable Wedding Trends Read More 👉
Tutorial: How to Freezer Paper Stencil (or Fake Silk Screen) a Necktie
Give a necktie a personality make-over with this freezer paper stencil technique that looks just like screen-printing.
Tutorial: How to Freezer Paper Stencil (or Fake Silk Screen) a Necktie Read More 👉
Reknit Turns Your Old Sweater into a Hat and Scarf
You can now have your old sweaters reknit into matching hats and scarves.
Reknit Turns Your Old Sweater into a Hat and Scarf Read More 👉
Extreme Upcycling: A Dress Made from Dryer Sheets
Vancouverite Katherine Soucie turns used dryer sheets into fantastic pieces of clothing.
Extreme Upcycling: A Dress Made from Dryer Sheets Read More 👉
