DIY Fashion Projects

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Fashion epitomizes personal expression, and one-of-a-kind or designer items sell for incredible prices. Thankfully, for the crafty fashionista on a budget, many of projects can breathe new life into a dated wardrobe. Simple tricks to jazz up small size shoes and create matching accessories turn even casual wear into something with an urban chic vibe. Hand distressing fabric creates looks reminiscent of top name designers, without the sky-high price tag.

Below are two DIY projects that require only hand sewing, no special tools and, best of all, not much time. They only take a few hours to give craft-lovers designer results.

Project 1: Attachable Shoe Ruffle

Jazzing up a pair of heeled sandals or flats is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

1. Pick up the materials. One yard of fabric is more than enough. Choose carefully to find the most versatile colour for your shoe wardrobe. If you need a perfect match, bring the shoes with you when choosing fabric. Additional materials include:
- 5/8″ ribbon in a colour matching the fabric
- Scissors
- Matching thread
- Needle
- Velcro

2. Create the ruffle. Start by cutting fabric to the desired length, an 8″ width works for any shoe size, but adjust the length for personal aesthetic. Then, bunch and/or twist the fabric to create a pleasing ruffle. A rose-like shape works well. Hand stitch the design so it stays in place. It does not have to be perfect, since this project is very forgiving. Once the ruffle is as long as desired, sew the ribbon on the back and test it for fit on the shoe.

3. Add Velcro and attach to the shoe. Carefully sew Velcro onto the ribbon so that it works with the ankle and toe straps of the shoe. Attach the ruffle and enjoy your “new” shoes.

Project 2: Hand Distressed T-Shirt

Distressed fabrics have been on top of the casual wear fashion industry for quite a while. Why should consumers pay extra money for clothing that already has wear? Essentially, distressing fabric adds wear. Shredded t-shirts or jeans with carefully placed cutouts are just a few examples. Below is a simple method for creating your own shredded Ts, from clothes you have around the house. The only tools you need are scissors, seam ripper and your hands.

Step 1 – Cut off the hem. Removing the hem gives you a raw edge from which to work. You need access to the threads to create a shredded look.

Step 2 – Stretch the raw edge. Hold the shirt by the hem, with hands placed a couple of inches apart. Stretch the fabric to start exposing loose threads.

Step 3 – Take your seam ripper and pull out a length of horizontal thread. The longer the thread pulled, the wider the shredded swatch, and the more likely the thread is to break. You can always add panels if you decide on additional shredding later, but you can not get rid of them. Start small and work up to wide patches of shredded material.

Step 4 – Pull on the exposed threads. Then, alternate between pulling on the exposed horizontal threads and stretching out the fabric. The stretch on the fabric helps the shredding find its maximum width and helps with the unravelling. Continue to pull more threads loose until the shredded portion reaches the desired height.

Step 5 – Keep pulling. The process is simple, but it does take a few hours to create a shredded section as long as the shirt. Enjoy the unique t-shirt you create.

These two simple projects let you spruce up your wardrobe on a tight budget. Dress up your shoes as you dress down your casual wear!

I represent a site called pretty-small-shoes.com. I love to write about fashion and design. Feel free to visit our site for more information on small shoes.