Thrift Store Rework: Old Dress= New Top

        + scissors+sewing machine =












I found this dress, with tags still attached, at my local Salvation Army thrift store. Being a sucker for a classic print, black and cream, and a great bargain I scooped it up for $5. While the dress fits I knew I would never wear it as is. Shoulder pads, lining with no give, and the hem length are just not a good combo on a shorter curvy girl. Instead, I decided that the dress would have a fabulous second life as a peplum top (I know peplums are starting to be an old trend but I don't care I think they are fun). With the leftover skirt material serving as the peplum all I had to do was make a few cuts, folds, and stitches to turn this frumpy dress into a flirty top.  My sewing skills are pretty rusty when it comes to clothing so I'm super proud of myself for being able to pull this off. Have you ever reworked/repurposed clothing? How did it turn out?

DIY Studded Ponytail Holder from Repurposed Belt

It's currently raining here, and what better excuse for some DIY time than a rainy day. I completed this ponytail holder in about 5 minutes last night. My bf had asked me to cut up his old studded belt to make some bracelets for him. After I did this I was left with a little strip of studs that I didn't want to waste. This project was the perfect use for it.

Supplies:
 -small studded strip of leather
-thin black piece of elastic
-strong hold glue
-small flat nose pliers

1. Cut strip of studs so when you wrap it around your ponytail there is about an inch of open space. Cut right next to the studs so that the tabs are right on the edge.

2. Cut elastic to fill empty space to fit your ponytail with extra space to attach elastic to each end of the studded strip.

3. Open the end tab on each end stud. Peel back bottom layer of leather strip to about each stud's midpoint. Add glue between leather layers and sandwich ends of elastic in between. Pierce stud's open tab into the elastic (is key to keeping elastic in place). Close tab with pliers. Clamp down edge until glue dries.   

4. There isn't a whole lot of stretch in this ponytail holder so you will have to use a regular elastic tie in your hair then slide this over your hair. It will stay in place and add a little interest to your basic hair style.

Rocking the hair fountain look!

Enjoy!

DIY Minauderie

A few months ago I came across a blog post (before I used pinterest so I can't recall the name) about turning a discarded sunglasses case into a clutch. I thought this was a clever idea and knowing I was going to be in two weddings over the summer I thought it would be a great inexpensive way to add some sparkle to my look. I received lots of compliments and everyone was surprised to learn the bag had been a sunglasses case. This is a great DIY because it doesn't take much skill or money, just a little creativity.  Now go rummage through your junk draws to find a case and try this yourself.

Supplies needed:

- 1 hard sunglasses case (make sure it's large enough to hold a night out's necessary items.
-spray paint
-decorative findings
-strong glue

1. Spray paint the case to help camouflage it
2. After paint has dried. Glue on fake closure if you want. I painted a large green plastic pyramid bead to look like a purse snap.

3.Working in small areas, spread glue and place findings.
4. Repeat step 3 until the case is covered. Make sure that you leave space around the edges so case can close.

This does take a little bit of time if you are working with small findings, and I'm not going to lie that I definitely lost a few brain cells from sniffing so much glue, but it was still fun.

Enjoy!

Radio Rockstar a DIY Repurposed Bag

While cleaning out his storage unit my boyfriend found an old radio in its case and thought that I would have fun repurposing the leather box (he knows me so well). Obviously, the case was already a great little purse it just needed to be cleaned up and updated. Using some scrap lace and brassy pyramid stud stickers I had lying around I was able to take this bag from relic to rockstar, all for the grand total of $0. Here's how.

Nice shape and color, just really boring.

Supplies:
Fabric scissors
Liquid Stitch glue (one of my favorite finds in the last year)
Fabric pen
Scrap fabric about 1 1/2 x 4" (should be durable/double layered)
Embellishments (I found these at Michael's in the $1 bin awhile ago. I just remove the foam backing to use)

1. This bag opens like a lunch box with the flap ending in a 90 degree angle. Since I wanted to use it as a purse and not have everything spill out when opened I decided to add fabric sides that would limit how far the flap opened. With this type of leather I wasn't able to sew on the fabric so I used Liquid Stitch to add the fabric. I opened the bag to the angle I wanted it to rest at making sure I could easily access anything inside, placed the fabric inside, marked the angle the fabric needed to be cut at for the flap, and cut it.

Not very cute inside. Another reason to add the fabric strips.

2. Glue fabric in place place. I gave it about a 1/4" lip on the bottom of the bag and glued the fabric to the whole side of the main part of the bag, but only used glue on a small strip on the flap. The flap has a lip that overlaps the body of the bag when closed and if I glued fabric to the whole lip it would have made the bag awkward to close.

Secured by a cute little piece of fabric

3. While that dried I removed the sticker backings from my studs and laid out the design I wanted. It ended up that a random scattering of studs looked the best. I think it contrasts well with the classic conservative shape and look of the bag.

4. Glue down studs. I used Liquid Stitch again because I was out of Super Glue, but I'm not sure how well the studs will hold up with it. I like that LS doesn't mark up leather but I might have to use a stronger multi-purpose adhesive because of the studs.

Done! Now I have a fun little bag that holds all my necessities and will transition well through the seasons.

Have you ever repurposed a bag? I would love to see your results?

Enjoy!