Lace! Whenever I think of lace I remember that crazy outfit Britney Spears wore a few years ago and I’ve been kind of turned off of the fabric (yes it’s a weird association, lace=Britney, but that’s just how my crazy mind works). Lately however, after a few vintage lace tops I’ve come to love the fabric and decided to play around with it for my DIYs. Here is a t-shirt that I added lace strips to. I hope you like it!
Materials
- Boring t-shirt
- lace strips
- sewing machine/hand-sewing skills
Instructions
- Cut off sleeves. This really depends on the placement of your lace inserts, if you want it below the sleeves you don’t have to take them off.
- Decide where to place your inserts and make t-shirt incisions… and measure unlike me (I had to go in and fix my crooked cuts).
- I wanted to sew the strips on top of the t-shirt so I placed them on top of the incisions to measure how long the strips should be
- Cut the strips and sew together at ends
- Attach the strips to the t-shirt. Place them on top of the shirt and sew straight on.
Gallery
I think everyone has funny associations with certain fabrics. What comes to mind when you think of lace?
(3 votes, average: 3.00 out of 5)
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Altering clothing is always a bit tricky. There’s a 50/50 chance your final result can end up looking like a five-year-old got scissor happy, or with some little planning and a little luck, end up with something you will actually wear, like my floral dress. When I found this dress/wrap/thing at Value Village I loved the body of the dress but the sleeves and shoulder pads made me look voluminous so they had to go. After wrestling with the idea of alteration and visualizing my ideal end result, I decided to go for it. Hopefully I could resurrect this weird/cool garment with a few minor changes.
I took off the sleeves with a stitch ripper at the seams, and used a zig-zag stitch on the edge to prevent the woven fabric from fraying. I then turned the edge of the armhole under and sewed a 1/4 seam allowance. This is the end result and I’m really happy with it! The weather just needs to cooperate so I can take this dress/wrap/thing out into daylight.
Before
After
Thanks Mom and Dad for the Value Village gift certificates! They’re the perfect birthday gift… even though I know you secretly think I’m weird for requesting them.
I would love to hear what you think or if you would’ve altered it differently. Let’s hear your thoughts!
(7 votes, average: 4.29 out of 5) Loading ...Categories: Blog, Do It Yourself, Toronto Vintage
The Idea
A pocket actually – singular. I tested out several different titles for this post but gave up once I realized there’s no way to make it sound interesting… just weird. Don’t leave! I know simply adding a pocket sounds like a strange do-it-yourself project, but it’s a seriously easy way to jazz up a t-shirt! I have actually been thinking of this project a while (yes, I do some seriously pocket pondering) but haven’t found the right combo until now. I used some recycled leather from when I made shorts out of pants (always keep your scraps, especially leather!) and a plain over-sized black t-shirt that I modified. I hope you like my latest project!
The Materials
- Boring Tshirt: Thrift stores have great ones
- A Pocket… or fabric you would like to make into a pocket
The How-To
- The first thing I did, which may not be necessary in all cases, is modify my t-shirt. I cut off the sleeves and cropped it to my desired length.
- Play around with pocket placement – this is trickier than you think!
- Sew the pocket straight on your t-shirt! When selecting your shirt and pocket/fabric think about how the fabrics will react with one another. The leather that I used is a bit heavy and if the t-shirt wasn’t a thicker, sturdy, fabric I would’ve torn a hole right through it.
- Voila!
Cost of DIY: $7
Gallery
Don’t have a sewing machine? Get creative! To attach pockets think of other fasteners you can use such as simple studs, cool buttons or a hundred safety pins. Hand sewing is also an option (and really relaxing) and there are tons of tutorials available.
Other ideas I had for pockets were using some made of lace or with floral patterns which I still may try. Do you have any fun and easy ways that you like to update a plain shirt?
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...Categories: Blog, Do It Yourself
Hey guys! As usual I got hooked on a certain embellishment after using it, (ie. Fringe Collar) so I decided to add it to the shoulders of my t-shirt dress which I wore as a shirt in the pic below.
(3 votes, average: 3.33 out of 5) Loading ...Categories: Blog, Do It Yourself
In our final year at Ryerson, Fashion Communication students have to do a self-directed capstone project. The subject is of your choosing and it can be absolutely anything and not necessarily fashion-related. In our program we focus on visual communication through design with courses like graphic design, typography, illustration, photography, etc so our projects are going to be very broad from paintings, events, brand books, websites, etc. My project relates to My Vintage Secret. As you know, I shop mostly in thrift stores and re-use a lot of clothing. I wanted my project to reflect this idea of clothing as valuable and recyclable in a time that promotes “fast fashion” so I constructed a clothing sculpture. Below, is a piece that I made with donations (thanks to everyone who donated!) which I manipulated into what I hope is seen as something beautiful. In the middle is a white space (white clothing) for my do-it-yourself stop motion videos to be projected onto. After spending four straight days finalizing the sculpture I am 98% done! I just handed in these photos to my prof to mark and the next step is installing it at the exhibition which starts April 7th and continues until the 10th. Without further ado, here is my ultimate DIY.
(6 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5) Loading ...Categories: Blog, Do It Yourself, featured
The Result
I have an addictive personality. Whether it’s food, clothing, or magazines, whenever I find or rediscover something I like I will buy/eat/do it over and over again, like The Great Peanut Butter and Jam Sandwich Addiction of November ‘09 where I had about two per day. My addictive personality touches all parts of my life including my Do-it-yourself projects. So yes, I have done another grommet DIY! If you look back (waaaay back to three weeks ago) I have already done a DIY with grommets but I have had way too many ideas whirling around in my brain on how to play with grommets that I just had to do another one (and maybe more, again, my brain whirls). In any case, I hope you like my newest DIY!
(6 votes, average: 3.00 out of 5) Loading ...Categories: Blog, Do It Yourself
The Find
A Bitter Fashion Memory
I have found a lot of great items in the kids department in thrift stores. The boys section always produces some nice blazers but this time I found something from the girl’s section – a little floral dress circa 90s, the days of Full House, Family Matters and Sister Sister. I seriously think my cousin owned this at one time. I remember the pretty flowers and soft fabric which turned out to be rayon – a material, I found out, my mother wanted nothing to do with as it’s hand wash only. So there I was stuck with my practical and boring, easy-to-wash cotton t-shirt and jeans while my cousin ran around in her flowing dress that didn’t let her skin breathe properly. I was so jealous! But today I am happy to have finally redeemed this painful childhood moment of my past. And to my, Mother (who would probably roll her eyes at this repressed fashion memory) I say, “It may have taken me eleven years to find but this dress is finally a part of my wardrobe. So there!”
Before & After
(7 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...Categories: Blog, Do It Yourself
Hello! Sorry for the late night DIY but I’m a student so…. there. With the homework out of the way I would like to show you this easy do-it-yourself project. I wore this fringe tee today and let me tell you, fringe is fun! I’m one of those people who enjoy/annoy other people by swinging in chairs. Fringe is the grown-up version of a fun chair swing. Without further ado I hope you like my latest DIY!
What You Need:
- One tshirt: I got mine from Salvation army for $1.50
- Fringe: I paid $3 for this fringe which was in a package of remnants (leftovers) at Sussman’s Bridal on Queen, normally this size is $18/yard
Instructions:
- Find a tshirt
- Pin on the fringe or other trim of your choice
- Sew directly on making sure the fringe doesn’t go under the needle. One thing to note is that if you’re using a sewing machine make sure the tension is loose otherwise the fringe will get sucked up.
Gallery:
Total Cost of DIY: $4.50
(2 votes, average: 3.50 out of 5) Loading ...Categories: Blog, Do It Yourself
As promised here is my DIY! I tried to prepare this project two days ago and thought I could do it without the proper tools but turns out you can’t! I get my ideas for DIYs through various websites and blogs. I subscribe to over one hundred blogs (through handy Google Reader) and whenever I think I (and YOU) can do something I see I tag it with a “DIY”. I probably have hundreds (well over a hundred at least) posts that I scroll through for inspiration for each new project. I have had a pack of grommets since November after I saw the picture below from 10th Muse. I love this peek-a-boo style and waited until I found a suitable dress to apply it to. BUT I still haven’t found one so I decided to apply grommets to a plain men’s t-shirt. I hope you like it!
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(4 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5) Loading ...Categories: Blog, Do It Yourself
A How-To Quickie!
I am little Ms. Procrastinator and I waited until last night to do my original Do-it-yourself project which unfortunately failed because of the wrong tools. But I have this quick and dirty project for you now and there will also be a DIY Wednesday!
One of my favourite sites, Refinery 29, featured an awesome post on the bow-tie as a spring trend for girls! I instantly loved this idea so I made one out of an old hair clip and a pin.
(3 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5) Loading ...Categories: Blog, Do It Yourself
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