DIY: let's ruin that dress!

do you have clothes in your closet that you just don't wear? or, like me, a stack of clothes so unworn they never make it out of that folded stack on the dryer? if you've been following me on twitter, you probably know i've really been trying to downsize and donate. i have - had, rather - a dress made from really pretty fabric, but i just couldn't wear it any longer. i never, i repeat, NEVER, have a problem with clothes being too tight in the chest, but this dress was, and i can't help but think it was to make IBTC members like me feel a little better about, uh, our smallness. so i decided to shred it up and recycle it!

for this project you'll need a dress that you want to ruin (i liked that this one was lightweight, flowy fabric so i knew it would hang nicely without being stiff), scissors, an iron, elastic, a sewing machine, and a friend to keep you company, especially if you're a slow sewer like me.

i should have taken a picture before i cut off the top half, but of course i don't think about it until after it's gone. anyway, cut that sucker up! iron out any wrinkles or creases. around what will be the waist, fold over a section larger than the width of your elastic. then make one more crease, that way you're elastic is completely hidden in a little pocket with no raw edges.

ask a friend for their opinion if you're not sure about what you're doing. or, if things are going smoothly, why not sing together? i suggest something fun like this that one or both of you can dance to should you need a break.

i like to get a section of elastic in its little pocket and then pin it so that when i pull it as i sew, it doesn't get lost (because it's frustrating trying to fish it out later). sew, sew, sew, and pull the elastic as you go. when you've sewn just about all the way around, STOP! leave about an inch open so that you can sew the two ends of elastic together, then go ahead and sew the elastic pocket closed.

you're finished! and might i suggest - assuming your skirt is printed - that you pair it with another non-matching print? i think it's more fun that way. now when people compliment you on your skirt, or ask you where you got it, you can give a shy smile and say, "this old thing? oh, i made it."

do you recycle or remake any of your clothes? if so, what have you made?

wishlist wednesday!

it probably goes without saying that i'm a treehugger. i love the earth, i love the trees, i love recycling. when i lived in pennsylvania, each township gave its residents multiple bins in which recyclable items would be placed (glass, aluminum, etc.), and i thought the idea was genius. unfortunately for me and my treehugging ways, the area i live in is far from green, that's why maybe sometimes i go overboard in trying to minimize my carbon footprint. today's wish list is made up of things that have been made from recycled materials, my favorite kind!

sources: drcraze, hoakonhelga, mousetrapvintage, galerieurbana

i feel like i've been so busy lately that i haven't had time to properly blog, let alone think of post subjects. i'm putting the finishing touches on the dinosaur toes items that will find a new home in a boutique across the country, finishing off a friend's website, and trying to get more organized and time-efficient with making things for the shop. don't get me wrong, i'm not complaining because i know i have it good, but lately i just feel as though i've been stretched kind of thin; so many things to get done for so many people, and only being one person in this business to do those things. anyway, just sort of getting things off my chest i guess. how have you been?

etsy favorite: thebritboutique

Hello, eco, meet chic. The crafty lady behind thebritboutique merges vintage elements to make some absolutely gorgeous modern accessories. Jeans and t-shirt or little black dress, her clutches are sure to add a touch of style and statement to any look. I have a strong feeling that my next purchase just might be one of the braided leather bangles.....

beautiful recyclables

If it's old, it's gold. I love the story that an old chandelier crystal, key, brooch, etc. can tell. I imagine that it saw a debutante ball or a cocktail party back when ladies were ladies and gentlemen were gentlemen. I get a magical rush when I find these bits and baubles tucked away in an old box or drawer, long forgotten, but begging to live again as something completely new. One of my latest favorites sold almost as soon as it was listed, but I plan to make more lariat necklaces in the same style, and even one for myself while I'm at it!