6 DIY Ideas for Summer Fashion, Outdoor Decorating and Beach Crafts

Summer is here in Los Angeles even though I am not sure the actual "summer date" has arrived it sure feels like summer.  The weather has been amazing and Little Miss S is enjoying her outdoor time! This week I have a round-up of some DIY ideas that are perfect for summer. xoxo

1. Dollar Store Outdoor Chandelier via Dollar Store Crafts
2. Vintage Door Garden Shelf via Mark Montano
3. Tie Dye Rainbow Shorts via Crafty Chica
4. Summer Dress via Trinkets in Bloom
5. Mason Jar Makeover with Mod Melts via Cathie and Steve for Plaid
6. Dollar Store Bubble Makeover via Cathie and Steve for Plaid

Fabric Covered Tennis Shoes made with Mod Podge

Craft a pair of summer sneakers with some scrap fabrics and a pair of plain sneakers.  Pop over to our Handmade Happy Hour blog for all the scoop on how to make them! Sneaker Instructions are here.

DIY Faux Silkscreen: Freezer Paper Stencils

This is a project from my book, 101 Tees!

Freezer paper stencils are a quick and a practically fail proof way to create your own painted tee design.  When the stencil is ironed to the tee the paper sticks and you get virtually no bleed-through with your paint.

Picture is from Renyolds Kitchens

Look for freezer paper at your grocery store or big box shop.  The paper will be waxed on one side and paper on the other.  Butcher and wax paper will not work.  For ease of cutting, always use a sharp craft knife and a self-healing mat.

Creative Juice Re-Craft Book: Tie Dyed Slips

Creative Juice Re-Crafting Book:

Tie Dyed Slip Dress

click picture for a larger detail pic

Transform a plain slip into a funky and flirty tie dyed creation. The dyed slips can be worn over a pair of leggings or skinny jeans and they look especially cute with a little pearl button cardigan.

Supplies:
A pale-colored nylon or silk slip
Fabric dye
Rubber bands
Rubber gloves
Washing machine
Mild detergent
Sequins or rhinestones
Jewel glue

Steps:
1. Wash the slip to remove any sizing if you are working with a new slip.

2. Saturate the slip with water and wring out any excess water. This will allow the dye to distribute evenly.

3. Lay the slip out and fold the slip up in an accordion fashion.

4. Bind off the slip in 6 sections using rubber bands. Make sure the rubber bands are tight. Where ever the rubber bands are the slip will not dye.


5. Mix dye according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Wearing rubber gloves submerge the slip into the dye bath. Allow the slip to remain in the dye according to manufacturer’s instructions.

6. Rinse the slip until the water runs clear. Remove the rubber bands. Wash the slip in the washing machine with a mild detergent. After washing the slip in the washing machine, you may want to run an empty load with bleach to remove any residual dye.

7. Allow the slip to dry. Use jewel glue to add sequins/rhinestones or other trims and embellishments.

If you like this project then you might like my book - Creative Juice, 45 Re-Crafting Projects. You can get it at Barnes and Noble or Amazon!

101 Tees: Lacy Tee Makeover

My lacy top makeover.

As an ex-costumer for film, I can't help but be obsessed with my outfits for filming.  I love shopping for them, altering them and choosing just the right accessories for them.  My sister helps me, I plan way in advance and I drive my hubby nuts with my makeshift fashion shows.

I fell in love with this lacy tee with ruffled sleeves but the color was so WRONG for me! The price was $14.99, so that was perfect.  I can't stand spending big bucks on clothes for filming because they always get ruined with paint and Mod Podge.  I guess ruined sounds harsh....lets just say they get enhanced with craft supplies.  :)

 

I had two options.

1. Return the shirt.

2. Dye the shirt.

 

As you can see, I whipped up a batch of hot water and wine colored RIT dye.  I soaked a my pre-washed tee for about 20 minutes in the dye bath.

Then I rinsed her clean, washed in cold and hung dry.  It turned out perfect!!!  I was jumping for joy!  My made-over tee and made it's TV debut today.  I wore it for the Kitschy Kitchen episode of  Plaid Craft TV.

Make it For Dad!

Make it for DAD! June 20th is Father's DAy!

Forget about "gone fishing" signs and "golf anyone" trinket boxes. Grab some fabric paints, freezer paper, iron-ons and get creative making one-of-a-kind fashions for your pop, pal or hubby.

T-shirt Dad

Make this easy reverse applique design with a faded eagle iron-on and some iron-on studs. For complete instructions visit my page at Plaid!

Rock and Roll Dad

For this design I attached a flocked skull iron-on to a grey satin tie. I positioned the tie at a slight angle for a little interest. Visit my page at Plaid Online for all the skinny.

D.I.Y Dad

Hammer slinging Dads will love this design! All you need is a bottle Folkart fabric paint and a funky plaid tie. For this design I used the freezer paper stencil technique. For complete instructions visit my project page at plaid.

click to download

Trophy Dad

For this design, I used the same painting technique as in the D.I.Y. Dad tie and I added some iron-on studs.

Click to download

Stenciled and Stitched for Dad

Go free form with this design. Overlap large and small stencils and paint with different colors of Folkart fabric paint. After the paint dries, sew random stitches over the entire design. For step-by-step instructions visit my project page at Plaid.

Fashion Projects

Mod Podge Boots

Fabric Printing w/ Dishwasher Gel

Tie Dyed Slips

Painted Shoppers

Recycled Denim Cuffs

Hippie Disk Belts

T-Shirt Rose Scarf

Tie Dyed Tote for Michaels

Reverse Applique Hoodies

Tattered Rose Shoes

Applique T-shirt Skirt

Vegas Baby Purse

Ribbon Headbands

Spring Fling Headbands

Batik Silk Scarves

Embellishing Prom Dresses

Spring Green Hair Clips

Dimensional Magic Belts

Cork Stamped Fashions

Boys Jean Re-Vamp

Refashioned Girls Jeans

Spiced Up Gloves

T-Shirt Roses Scarf

Bleached T w/ Dishwasher Gel

T-Shirt Quilt

Lacy Tee Makeover

T-Shirt Pillow

T-Shirt Wreath

Skirt with T-Shirt Applique

Carrot Stamped T

Betters Homes & Gardens: Tie-Dye

Picture This T Transferring

Reverse Applique Tee

Kids Painted Chick Tee

Election Day Tee

New Year's Eve Tee

New Year's Eve Tee 4 Baby

St.Patrick's Tee

Halloween Tee

Naughty Or Nice Tees

Holiday Tees for Baby

Tattered Roses 101
Headbands
Necklace Re-Vamp
Fedora
Scarf and Pin
Shoes
Purses
T-shirt Scarf

Collage Charms

Tattered Rose Pins

Cha Cha Cha Rings

Poker Chip Pendants

Felted Necklace

Singed Silk Flowers

Beach Glass Pendants

Carnelian and Citrine Earrings

Floating Pearl Necklace

Washer Pendants

Resin Guitar Pick Necklaces

Turquoise Watch

Charming Peace Necklace

Altered Photo Pendants

Grown Up Paper Beads

Crochet Charm Teen Necklaces

Flower Hair Pins

Teen Shrink Plastic Jewelry

Bottle Cap Charms

Mod Podge Necklaces

Chunky Rings

Recycled Eyeglass Pins

Altered Lockets

Tutorial: Fabric Printing with Dishwasher Gel

Fabric Printing with Dishwasher Gel

Did you know that with a few supplies from your kitchen you can create your own printed fabric? All you will need is some cookies cutters and bleach based dish-washing gel. This technique produces a soft vintage look. The process is fast so keep and eye on your bleaching. For large pieces of fabric, you might need to work in stages.

Supplies:
Bleach-based automatic dishwasher gel
Medium hued t-shirt (pre-washed) or fabric
Piece of cardboard or an old magazine
Small dish
Rubber Gloves

Steps:

1.Place the cardboard inside a t-shirt or under the fabric to prevent the dye from penetrating to the other side.

2. Squirt some of the bleach dishwashing gel into the dish.

3. Dip the cookie cutter into the gel and press onto the t-shirt.

4. The bleach will bleed into the fibers as it sets. Allow it to set for 30 minutes, then wash immediately to deactivate the bleach.

Faux Show + Target = Quick Party Fashion

With just days until Christmas and New Years Eve - I thought a post about fashion crafts was in order. For all the designs I started with items from my favorite store...Target! Next, I added a quick embellishment from the Faux Show line of rhinestone jewelry components from Plaid. (you can get them at Michaels) They are the perfect thing for adding a dash of sparkle to your holiday party fashions. For the glue I used E600.

Flower Power Purse

Black and White Headband

Rhinestone Flats

Make it: Stamping with Carrots

Make it: Stamping with Carrots

Paint up a cute Tiki Time T-shirt with FolkArt fabric paints! Get all the details on our project page at Plaid Online! All you need is a carrot, some fabric paints and you are set to create your own one of a kind masterpiece t-shirt.

Make it: Reverse Applique T-Shirts

Make it: Reverse Applique T-Shirts
from the "rock star" episode of Creative Juice

Supplies:
Tee shirts
Funky fabric scraps larger than your image
Sewing Machine
Contrasting Thread
Sharp Scissors
Basic image to cut out
Sewing pins
Pinking Sheers

Steps:
1. Layer the scrap fabric, tee shirt and image together in the area where you want your design. Begin with the fabric (right side up) underneath the front of the tee shirt. Next, place the paper image on top of the tee shirt. Use sewing pins to pin all the layers together.

Detail Pic

2. Stitch around the image through all the layers. I like to use a contrasting thread color for added pop.

3. Remove the pins and image. Use sharp scissors to remove the tee shirt layer. Trim as close to the stitching line as possible.

4. Turn the tee shirt inside out and trim away the outer edge of the fabric scraps. Use a pinking sheer on the edges so that they don’t fray.

Embellishing Tricks for Plain Dresses

Embellishing Tricks for Plain Dresses

Materials:
nylon lace trim with a repeated, linked design
6"-8"-wide flat nylon lace
fabric dye
sequins
flat-bottomed Swarovski crystals
thread to match the garment
hand-sewing needle
jewel glue
toothpick

1. Dye the lace according to the directions on the dye package. Allow the lace to dry.

2. Pin the wide lace around the waist of the dress, beginning by folding and pinning it at one side of the zipper. Continue pinning until you reach the other side of the zipper. Cut the lace with enough to turn under. Turn under the end and pin to the other side of the zipper.


3. Hand-stitch the top and bottom edges of the lace to the waist of the dress.


4. To add scattered lace details to dresses or purses, cut links of the lace design.


5. Embellish the lace or other portions of the garment with one crystal at a time. Dot the bottom of the crystal with jewel glue, using a toothpick. Apply to the lace link and allow to dry. Stitch the lace pieces onto the dress or use fabric glue to attach to a purse.

Make it: Refashioned Girls Jeans

Make it: Refashioned Girls Jeans
no sew project

Kids go through clothes so fast! This easy no-sew technique will stretch a pair of winter jeans into a spring fashion. Even if you don't sew, it is easy to recycle a pair of girls jeans into a cute pair of walking shorts.

For this design:
1. Cut the pant legs at the appropriate height for shorts using pinking sheers.

2. Trim around the appliqué (removing it from the lower portion of the jeans).

3. Attach the appliqué using fabric glue.

4. Add a little sparkle to the pants: attach a few rhinestones with gem glue.

make it: appliqued t-shirt skirt

make it: reverse appliquéd t-shirt skirt

Recycled an old t-shirt and skirt into a new fashion!

Cut out a design.

Pin in your desired position on the inside of the skirt.

Sew around the edge.

On the inside, cut around the sewn area.

On the outside, cut around the sewn area, removing the skirt fabric.

Add a few more cutouts from the t-shirt
by sewing them directly to the skirt.