Archive for the ‘reuse’ Category

How to Upcycle an old Zipper Jacket to a New Doggie Coat.

Sunday, July 4th, 2010

Here’s how to upcycle an old zipper jacket to make a new dog jacket.

 

1. Figure out how long you want the arms of your jacket to be. I decided to make the sleeves so that they would hit Neko at the middle of her arms. She likes to dig, so I didn’t want the sleeves to get in the way of that.

2. Cut the sleeves to the measured length.

3. Fold the cut edge of the sleeves towards the inside of the sleeves. Iron and pin in place.

4. Sew the sleeves edges.

5. Find your dog model and try it on!

Neko was a bit shy for her modeling debut, but I was able to get a few photos of her in her new digs.

http://howtoreuseitcreatively.com/tag/upcycled-clothing/

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5 Crafty Ways to Turn Buttons into Accessories

Sunday, May 2nd, 2010

Looking for a way to use up those odd buttons you have floating about? Here are five fantastic suggestions sent in to us for accessories you can make with buttons.

Button Brooch
Select three buttons in different sizes–one small, one medium, and one large. Arrange the buttons so the smallest sits on the medium-sized, which will sit on the largest button. Glue of sew the buttons together, then glue a brooch fastener on the back. Just like that you have a pretty brooch that is as unique as the buttons you’ve selected.

Fancy Bobby Pin
Jazz up ho-hum bobby pins with a pretty button. Take a favorite fancy button–think fabric covered, pearl or even just a decorative button–and glue it to the head of a bobby pin. Wear one in the front of your hair, or use several to keep an up-do in place. This is a great way to use a set of special buttons.

Cute Earrings
Small buttons can sometimes be hard to find uses for, but they make really cute earrings. Simply glue posts to the backs of a pair of buttons and you have an adorable pair of earrings, that is perfect for adults and kids alike.

Simple Bracelet
If you have a lot of buttons, you can string them all together on a piece of nylon thread to make a bracelet. String on enough beads to go around your wrist, and then tie each end of the thread to a jewelry finding. Check out thin link for an easy to follow tutorial

 http://diyfashion.about.com/od/diyjewelrymaking/ss/ButtonBracelet.htm 

Statement Necklace 
Treat buttons like beads to create a fantastic necklace. Start with a large, flat-front button (i.e. one that has no holes through it, but attaches underneath), using that as the centerpiece. Select smaller complimentary buttons to bracket it on either side. String half of the complimentary buttons on a piece of nylon thread, then add the centerpiece button, and finish by stringing on the remaining complimentary buttons. Attach a jewelry finding to the ends of the string, and you instantly have a statement necklace.

Button Flip Flops

Use your buttons as a way to refresh last seasons flops and add add detail and unique style to this classic summer staple

 http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/button-embellished-flip-flops_2

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Tutorial: 80s duffel bag made from recycled umbrellas!

Monday, December 21st, 2009

Stuck with what to do with your old, broken umbrellas? Well check out this fame inspired video tutorial from Threadbangers.

duffel-bagWhile this project is a little more advanced than some of the more basic tutorials posted on the Refashionable blog, it’s not too complicated for people  with some sewing experience.

 

 

 

 

The end result is a free, eco, water-resistant bag!

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Girls Sweater Dress Tutorial

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

dressIf you have any old woolen jumpers lying around the house this tutorial shows a great way to reuse them. You will first have to felt the jumpers, this is really easy to do – we have a tutorial to show you how here. You only need basic sewing skills as the project only requires straight stitching and you can use a child’s vest as a cutting pattern. Why not have a go?

 

 

 

 

How to make a cute little sweater dress out of an old wool sweater.

Sweater Dress Slide Show
View more presentations from recovergirl.

Sweater Dress Slide Show – Presentation Transcript

  1. How to make a sweater dress out of an old wool sweater.
  2. start with a wool sweater
    • start with a wool sweater
    • felt by washing in machine and drying in dryer
    • cut out label
  3. pin pattern onto sweater
    • pin pattern through both layers of sweater
    • allow seam allowance where needed
    • avoid making underarm seam part of top if possible
  4. cut sleeves off
  5. cut top from bottom
  6. cut seams out of bottom
    • turn inside out
    • cut side seams out of bottom portion
  7. pin and measure
    • pin raw edges over
    • measure shoulder straps
  8. sew and iron
    • sew edges down
    • iron when done
  9. pinch and pin
    • measure or eyeball where you want to place a pleat (I use the inside collar as a reference)
    • pinch and pin that mark
  10. pinch and pin x 3
    • pin 3 folds on each side
  11. pin the pleat
    • hold the 3 folds together (picture 1)
    • turn over and separate the folds (picture 2)
    • pin for sewing (picture 3)

    1 3

  12. sew top to bottom
    • lay top over outside pleats
  13. sew top to bottom
    • turn over so pleats appear as above
    • sew together
  14. should look like this
    • after you are done sewing and you take the pins out it should look like this
  15. now sew on back bottom
    • just pin on and sew
    • should look like this when done
  16. lay flat and cut excess
    • lay flat and line up underarm seams
    • cut excess fabric from side seams
  17. sew closed
    • turn inside out, pin sides and sew them closed
    • sew in new label
    • voila – new sweater dress!

Big thank you to Recovergirl ( www.recovergirl.wordpress.com) for this tutorial.

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What a load of rubbish

Saturday, October 24th, 2009

Take a look at this novel way of using disgarded buttons pegs and toys.robertig2

 

Robert Bradford creates his life-size and larger-than-life sculptures of humans and animals from discarded plastic items, mainly toys but also other colourful plastic bits and pieces, such as combs and buttons, brushes and parts of clothes pegs.

 

 

Robert is a British artist originally from south London is showing at the Art Elysses Paris 22-26 Oct  Stand 168 and the  Royal Academy London from 1 Dec be sure to get down there and check it out.

robertg1

 

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Free Halloween tutorials for you and the kids

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

Ever wanted to know how to make a straight jacked from an old shirt, some belts and Wonder web or what to do with your old Halloween pumpkin? Need some ideas for keeping the kids quiet this Halloween?  

halloweentree_thmCanon have posted some free Halloween papercraft templates on their website. Simply set your printer to the recommended settings, print off the templates and follow the instructions to make Halloween trees, masks and pumpkins.  Click here to be taken to the Canon page.

 

Check out the video links for ways to enjoy an eco Halloween this year. 

make your own fairy wings out of wire hangers and old tights. http://www.threadbanger.com go to the threadbanger blog for written instructions.

Make your Halloween a green one. From decorations to costumes, how you can help the environment and your pocketbook.

Going INSANE cause you don’t have a costume yet for halloween. Worry no more cause this week Rob shows us a crazy tutorial on how to make your very own strait jacket.

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