The crafting industry has a $36 billion share of the market. Millennials are jumping into the DIY game faster than any other age group.
And why not extend DIY skills to clothing?
Are DIY fashion ideas rolling around in your head? Are you on your way to showing off fashion project ideas and clothes DIYs? Are you hoping to become a fashionista icon?
If you want to break away from boring, routine outfits, check out 5 DIY fashion projects that can make your old, tired clothing look brand new!
5 DIY Fashion Projects to Try
Sometimes you just don’t have the money for new clothes. Sometimes you love what you have, but feel that they need a refresher. This is where DIY fashion comes into play. Let’s look at some fresh and fairly simple clothes DIYs for you to try.
1. Embellish a Jean Jacket
The jean jacket…it has been around since the 1880s when Levi Strauss introduced it to the world. The original intent was to be durable enough for wearing while doing manual labor. Since then, it has shown up on many a runway over the past 140 or so years.
If you have one in your closet, why not jazz it up?
Patches
Just like adding military patches to a uniform, you can add all different styles of patches to your denim jacket. Think custom name patches, whimsical floral patches, quotes…the possibilities are endless!
Hit the craft stores for a wide variety of choices. Then use your sewing skills to add them to your jacket.
This can even be a DIY fashion for men with the right patches, FYI.
Embroidery
Do you know someone with a fancy embroidery machine? If not, have no fear. There’s a couple of DIY options.
You can use the tracing paper option. Take a piece of tracing paper and trace or draw your design. Place and pin the paper onto your jean jacket.
The other option is to use a water-soluble stabilizer. This will soak away once you finish stitching the pattern.
Get some embroidery floss in the desired color or colors. Choose a needle. Using a thick, strong needle is best with denim.
Because you’re working on a small surface, an embroidery hoop is not an option. Denim is sturdy enough that you can get away without using a hoop.
Grip the fabric and the medium on which your design is and begin stitching.
Pearls
You can buy any size drilled pearls at your local craft stores. Sew them on your jean jacket to class it up. Place the pearls in some sort of pattern to give it a uniform look.
2. Take a Dress and Make it a Top
Dresses are easy because they’re a whole outfit in one, but once you’ve been seen in a dress a few times you tend to think you’ve overworn it.
And for crying out loud…what if you were photographed in it more than once??
Is it time for it to hide away in your closet or can you give it a new life?
Why not cut it and make it into a top?
Put the dress on and measure the length at which you’d like it to fall. Add a half inch for the hem. Mark where to cut it. (You may need help for this.)
Cut it, sew the hem around it and voila! You have a new top.
3. Sequins!!
Are you into shiny, sparkly things? This is an easy project to bring some glitter into an everyday outfit.
Take a plain sweatshirt or heavy-weight t-shirt. Hit the craft or sewing store for sequin trim.
Using your computer, print a word or phrase the size you want it to be on your shirt. Cut out the letters to create a template. Use an Exacto knife for best results.
Glue the sequin trim on the word or phrase with fabric glue. Once the trim is secure and dry, sew it on with a needle and thread for stability in the wash.
4. Button-Down Shirt ⇒ Tie-Up Crop Top
Has your long-sleeve button-down shirt worn out its welcome? No worries. It can live to see another day reincarnated.
The first step is to remove the sleeves by cutting one inch away from where the sleeves meet the body of the shirt. Fold over what’s left in half-inch increments and pin under the stitching.
Turn the shirt inside out and sew all the way around to secure the armhole, removing the pins as you go.
Take the body of the shirt and mark where you want the shirt to fall on you. Remember to mark two tails near the buttons to tie the completed top. Cut all the way around and down to create the ties.
Pin and sew your bottom hem, notching out the curved portion first.
Now you have a cute little crop top for summer.
5. Add a Handmade Bowtie
Jazz up a dress or blouse by adding a coordinating patterned bow tie.
Take a sash, a scarf or even a belt and turn it into a bow tie. Make sure that it is long enough to tie around your neck and into a bow.
Cut whatever you are using into the width at which you would like it. Sew it so that the seam is in the side you’ll have facing down.
Hem the ends so that it looks nicely finished. If you choose to attach it permanently to your dress or blouse, sew it on at the back of the neck.
Tie it into a pretty bow to give your outfit a feminine look.
Giving Your Wardrobe New Life
Now you’ve learned some fun, new DIY fashion projects. Scope out what’s in your closet and get to work.
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