Tag Archives: DIY

November 19, 2012 · 10:31 pm

The Dressing Room

I moved into my house this past summer, and even though none of my decorating is 100% done, I might as well start showing you what I’ve been up to. The biggest luxury is my dressing room (aka the shoe room). We have a modest, three-bedroom ranch with smallish closets so I took the smallest of the bedrooms and turned it into my walk-in closet. How decadent!

my closet

This is where I blog, and on days when I work at home, it’s where my writing gets done. The best part: The bookshelves full of shoes! See, I bought a Kindle a couple of years ago and I sold most of my books. The few I have for reference (cookbooks and such), I keep in a closet.

shoe shelves

Having my shoes on display does make me seem a little like Imelda, but I find I wear them all more because I know what I have. And no, I don’t need to buy shoes for a while!

Bracelets, rings, and studs

dangly earrings and necklaces

Putting my costume jewelry on display makes it easy to grab a bracelet, necklace or pair of earrings in a hurry. The necklaces are hanging on simple nails, but I plan to upgrade to small, funky knobs soon. The screened-in vintage picture frame is from the Fremont Sunday Market but it would be a fun and easy DIY project.

I even found a neat way to display my sunglasses. I saw this idea in the Ikea catalog. I tied a ribbon from perfume packaging to the top of the hanger to finish it off.

sunglasses on display

I removed the closet doors and replaced them with purple curtains so I can open it wide and see everything at once. The soft fabric absorbs sound better than wood doors so the room isn’t as echo-y. Also because the cat box is in there–gotta be practical!

drapey closet doors

To balance all the dark wood ladder shelves (even my desk is a ladder style), I bought a lucite chair from Ikea. It’s fresh and modern and doesn’t impede light or sight lines.

lucite chair

The ideas in this project translate to lots of spaces. The book-turned-shoe shelves would look nice in a bedroom and would fit in an actual walk-in closet. No matter what your space, I highly recommend displaying jewelry (in my last place, I hung necklaces on my bathroom wall). You’ll wear what you own more often if you can see it.

All I have to do now is paint the walls. What color would you choose?

10 Comments

Filed under Decor, DIY, Fashion

Tagged as decor, DIY, fashion, jewelry display, shoes, storage ideas, style

October 11, 2012 · 10:19 pm

Solaire Chairs for my Front Entry

When I bought my house, I thought of all the wonderful Mid-Century things I could do to it. The place was built in 1961 and is begging for a retro remodel.

One of my first projects was sprucing up the front (if you look back, the area to the left of the entry was soil, with a topiary-style tree and a yellow bush). I remembered an amazing style of chair from my childhood. I didn’t know the name of the chair, but several web searches later, I found out: The Solaire.

Two Solaire chairs now sit in my front entry. As luck would have it, one of the few places in the country where I found the chairs was right here in Seattle!

two Solaire Chairs

I transplanted the tree and bush to the backyard, covered the soil with weed-inhibiting fabric from the garden store, and laid down a layer of pebbles. Now I have two sunny pops of color by my front door and a place for friends to sit. The backyard is quieter and more private, but it’s nice to people watch and catch the evening sun from the front.

orange and yellow Solaire chairs

I like the story behind the chair. The Solaire was designed in 1972 by Fabio Fabiano and Michelange Panzini. It’s a terrific representation of a clean, modern design. They were popular poolside in backyards and motels across Canada and the USA. I’m proud to have a piece of Canadian design history. And in case anyone else wants them, I chained them down! But if you’re in Seattle, you can buy them at Click! Design That Fits.

6 Comments

Filed under Architecture, Decor, DIY

Tagged as architecture, decor, design history, DIY, mid-century modern, Solaire, Solaire chairs, style

June 3, 2012 · 12:18 am

Red and Black Plaid: A DIY Draped Look

It’s Red and Black Week over at Sophistique Noir. Last year, I missed out on Victorian Kitty’s event because I was doing other things (a 30 for 30 challenge if a recall). I promised myself I’d join in the fun next time. I can’t believe a year has gone by.

I don’t run a goth blog, but I do appreciate the goth aesthetic and I look for opportunities to stretch my dark wings now and then. I love that in the month of June, when so many people are donning pastels and getting tans, I have an excuse to stay pale and wear dark clothes.

Cowl-neck tank: Swapped
Cardigan: Thrifted
Skirt: Goodwill
Boots: John Fluevog

I’m starting off with a vintage maxi skirt I found at Goodwill. I was looking for something to use for a DIY project. I wanted to ruche and drape until I created a fitted, more structured skirt.

If you try this, make sure you start with a skirt much wider and longer than you need. Each time you pinch and gather, you’ll be “losing” fabric. I tried this on, picked up a piece of fabric in my fingers, placed it to where I wanted it to be, and hand-stitched it in place. I did it on the front only, to create an asymmetrical, fishtail effect. I topped it off with one red button.

16 Comments

Filed under Crafts, DIY, Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as DIY, fashion, skirt, style, thrifty fashion

May 14, 2012 · 10:34 am

Red Corduroy Kindle Case

Once upon a time there was a red corduroy blazer. Someone bought it, wore it (maybe), and gave it to Goodwill. I bought it at Goodwill, wore it (once), and cut it in half so I could make a Kindle case with it. I wore the half jacket once too (just for fun). Unfortunately it was in my pre-blogging days so there’s no photographic evidence. There is evidence of the Kindle case:

I posted the Kindle case on my Etsy shop recently (to replace another one I made out of a pant leg). Best of all, my friend, Lynn, took the remaining fabric (two sleeves) and made a wine tote out of one of them. Brilliant!

The red blazer has had quite a journey–and it looks like it’s just beginning!

DIY Skirt Zipper

I got this skirt at a clothing exchange and I’m embarrassed to say I’ve been keeping it up with a safety pin. It was a bit too large but I like the asymmetrical hemline.

Top: Swapped
Skirt: Swapped
Earrings: Amy Bengtson
Purse: Frye via thrifted
Shoes: Fry via swapped

I’ve been seeing a lot of “exposed” zippers in the stores lately (meaning the zippers aren’t hidden in seams but are part of a garment’s embellishments). With that idea in mind, I took in my skirt.

First I cut a V of fabric out of the waist (a little pie-shaped wedge of fabric), then I sewed each half of the zipper to the new edges. When I zipped up the skirt, it was smaller. It fits nicely now. And since the skirt was free, it was a low-risk project. Yes, there was a chance I’d mess it up, but I was willing to try.

4 Comments

Filed under DIY, Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as DIY, fashion, skirt, style, thrifty fashion

February 8, 2012 · 11:08 pm

DIY Rug Skirt

I am not a doormat–but my skirt is! I made this awesome stretchy pencil skirt from two doormats I bought at the dollar store. The mats are made of stretchy strips of fabric (scraps from the garment industry, I believe). I have to give credit to a pair and a spare. I saw this idea on her blog.

Top: Flea market
Skirt: DIY
Necklace: Macy’s
Cuff: Claire’s
Tights: Roots Canada
Boots: Old Navy
Clutch: Victoria’s Secret

I laid the rugs on a table, placed one of my own fitted skirts over it and pinned the rugs so I knew where to sew. Twenty minutes and two dollars later, I had an awesome skirt.

I sewed the basic shape, trimmed the excess material from the edges, and then zig-zagged over the new edges so my skirt would stay together. Because the rug/skirt is stretchy I didn’t even have to add a zipper. I simply pull it on.

This project was easy and fun. I’m happy to showcase it as part of this month’s Ethical Fashion Blogger roundup.

9 Comments

Filed under Crafts, DIY, Ethical, Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as DIY, ethical fashion, ethical fashion bloggers, fashion, skirt, style, tights

December 27, 2011 · 1:18 pm

Blazer Day with a Touch of Marigold

This is my go-to look, I’ve decided: Blazer, jeans, and heels.

Blazer: Laundry by Shelli Segal via thrifted
Jeans: Citizens of Humanity
Tank: Papaya
Scarf: DIY
Earrings: Airport kiosk
Shoes: Nine West

Today, I added a DIY t-shirt scarf and I wore open-toed shoes with socks. You might also notice the embellishment at the bottom of the blazer. I did that! The lining was coming undone so I re-hemmed it and while I was at it I did a little freestyle machine sewing. I just turned the jacket this way and that while I sewed until I had a neat pattern.

How do you customize your things? Do you have a signature look?

4 Comments

Filed under DIY, Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as blazer, DIY, fashion, jeans, style, thrifty fashion

October 11, 2011 · 1:28 am

DIY Wrap Skirt

Look what I made! I’m participating in Everybody, Everywear, and this month is DIY month. I like to alter clothing—make a mini from a maxi, make a scarf from a t-shirt—but I rarely make something from scratch.

Top: Target
Skirt: DIY
Tights: Target
Earrings: DIY
Boots: Candies via thrifted
Bag: Swapped

This time, though, I did. And I did it right. I like to cut corners but this past weekend, I sat down with fabric, a skirt I used as a pattern, and all the proper supplies. I cut out the fabric (a single piece of stretchy material from the Halloween section of the fabric store), and stitched extra wide bias tape to the top edge.

The rest of the project was more like shop class. I used a hammer and pliers to fasten prong-ring fasteners to the bias tape. Now it’s a one-size fits all skirt. Wrap it, snap it, and off I go. I chose a mesh, semi-transparent fabric, so I’m wearing it with a slip.

The only downside with making things myself is the time and materials I put into the project. I spent about $15 in fabric and $10 in supplies. Add to that the hour and a half of labor and the time it took to buy the materials. I could have just worked for a couple of hours (doing something I’m good at) and bought a skirt (made by someone who’s good at that). But there’s a pride in making something by hand. It’s also a useful skill it I want a skirt in certain fabric or color that I can’t find in stores.

Are you participating in the challenge? What DIY projects have you tried? Check out all the other projects at Everybody, Everywear.

17 Comments

Filed under DIY, Fashion, Thrifty

Tagged as DIY, Everybody Everywear, fashion, style, thrifty fashion

September 23, 2011 · 6:51 am

FBFF: Refashioned Clothing

Today’s post is a challenge by Fashion Beauty Friend Friday. This is a group effort; a lot of bloggers will be answering the call. Be sure to read all the other posts at ModlyChic.

When I was challenged to share something I’d refashioned, I was initially stumped. I buy a lot of second-hand clothes, and I sometimes take them in, hem a bit, or add ruching. But would that count as refashioning? Then I remembered my Windows 7 skirt:

Top: Swapped
Blazer: Swapped
Skirt: Thrifted and refashioned
Boots: Thrifted

I wrote about this skirt once (shortly after I made it). It once was a giant t-shirt. A men’s XXXXL to be specific. The corporate logo is so subtle. It’s a white “7” on a black t-shirt. I found it at the Goodwill in Bellevue, a mile away from the Microsoft campus. I bet a Microsoft employee got it free at work and then donated it. I picked it up for $1.99. I cut off the sleeves and neck, took in the sides, and added a 2″ wide elastic band to the waist.

patterns

I tried a subtle pattern mixing by wearing a pinstriped blazer and a black and white geometric print tank top. All in all, this outfit cost $12. Do you change-up your clothes too? What’s your best re-creation?

True Blue Slouchy Layers

Today I wanted to look like I had just rolled out of bed and grabbed the first things I could find. But I didn’t really want to do that (the effect wouldn’t be as good). So I layered loose clothing and intentionally pinned my cardi askew. I also squeezed in a bit of pattern mixing for a je ne sais quoi look.

Cardi: Nordstrom
Tank: Target
Pants: Eileen Fisher via Goodwill
Brooch: Gifted
Sunglasses: Target
Shoes: Bongo

These are my $5 Goodwill pants. I ruched the bottom of the outside seam by hand-stitching them. Now they’re like the harem-y, billowy pants all the models wear on the runways. But, if in a few more wears, I decide only a model of Amazonian proportions can get away with this look, I’ve lost nothing.

And just so it looked like I cared a just a little (after rolling out of bed), I wore heels. I always walk a more deliberately and confidently when I wear funky, tall look-at-me shoes.

Have you altered any of your clothes?