DIY denim tote bag from recycled jeans!

Hello Friends!

It's been a while since our last post but now we are back with many many new DIY projects. Lately we have been busy making cool accessories for the summer. Today we are showing you a lovely DIY denim bag we made out of left overs from cut-off denim shorts. The crochet like lace gives to the bag a romantic and boho touch. This lovely bag is so great and easy to sew. We loved the whole process, we hope you like the result! 

So, lets get started. You will need a denim fabric or left over denim scraps and for the lining I used a quilted fabric to add some stability in the bag. For decorating your bag you can use anything extra you may like. I used crochet lace and some handmade drops. Just to let you know the denim pieces I used in this bag are the left overs from a denim pant that I turned it into shorts. This blog is about clothes recycling after all.

Lets make the shape of our bag. Lay out your fabric and draw with a pen the shape of your bag.  I made the bag in oval shape. Then cut out the fabric following the shape you have drawn and stitch it. 

 

For the lining of our bag we will make an exact same bag in smaller size than our denim bag. The point is to put this lining bag inside our denim bag.

We place the two pieces of lining inside out and we stitch them all around except from the upper part. 

Lets go back to our denim bag to decorate it. I placed the crochet like lace on the bag and I stitched it carefully. So simple and nice! 

After stitching the lace we place the lining-bag inside our denim bag. Do not forget to insert it with the rights sides facing one another. Now it's time to install our magnetic button closure.

You can find many tutorials on the web on how to place a magnetic snap. I will try to explain you how to place it as I don't have photos. The magnetic snaps are attached to the lining of the bags.To avoid tearing through the lining fabric with wear, you will have to place an interfacing fabric. Just a little square of fusible fabric is enough. So, at the center of the lining's wrong side (very important), place a little square of fusible interfacing fabric and iron it. For your info, a complete magnetic snap has two sides and each side has two parts. Take a snap (the one with the vertical slits) and mark on the interface where you want to place it. Cut the slits with a sharp blade or with sharp scissors to mark the area. Push the snap tabs through the holes of the lining place back the snap (with the slits) and push the tabs apart (in outward direction). Repeat the same process for the other piece of lining. 

Now, it is time to attach the handles. For this bag I used a pants belt that I didn't wear anymore. 

So it was really easy the whole process. I measured the desired length and cut it. Then I attached the handles to both sides of the bag and my bag was ready!

P.S :  Many thanks to my beautiful model FKappou for her contribution to our blog.

Kisses,

Tailor Spy

DIY boho lace earrings!

Hi crafty friends!  
When it comes to earrings we all have in mind some basic designs. From a simple design to a flashier with stones, beads etc. But this season one of the hottest trends is a mix of colors and materials. In this post I will show you how to transform a piece of lace into a fabulous pair of bohemian earrings! 

Materials:

The basics are pieces of lace and scissors.

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Cut the pieces that you want in the shape of the lace and decide if you want to decorate them with fabric colors or beads and stones. I chose to use both for a more dramatic look. 

Photo 3

 

Photo 4

Photo 3-4

I draw with fabric colors and using some strong glue i attached the pieces of the lace. 

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You are now almost done. I took a pair of earrings hoop-clasp and sew it at the top of the earring. In case you have used fabric colors as i did, be sure that the paint is dry!

The bohemian earrings are ready! Combine your pair with your denim shirt and a braided ponytail for a relaxed stylish look with a touch of bohemian mood!!

Good Luck!

xxx 

MikaLina

 

 

DIY spring bag!

Hey friends!

We are welcoming spring with this easy tutorial for the ultimate spring bag! There's not a better way to follow this season’s soft colors trend, than transforming this vinyl skirt into a lovely everyday bag! Yes, you have heard it right! An amazing bag out of an old skirt! The process is really easy and all you need is a skirt and a sewing machine!

Photo 1

This is the initial look of the skirt and my scissors

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In order to make the straps i cut the hem at about 5 cm.

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Time to sew the bag! Place the fabric inside out and with a pencil draw the stitches. I was lucky that my skirt had already inside the linen fabric so that made the process even easier! To avoid the square shape, sew the corners of the fabric to give it a rounded shape.

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Stitch the straps of the bag on the inner part and you are almost done. Now you can turn the inner part inside the bag.

 Photo 7-8 (optional)

This step is optional in case you want to make the bag more secure. You can buy this magnetic clasp from the stores that sell sewing supplies. For the insert make small holes on the inner part of the bag and press the studs to stable it. Your magnet clasp is ready.

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In less than 20 minutes you will be holding your brand new shopping bag! Wear it with your jeans and a flower top! So why don't you visit your closet and maybe you will find your next bag among your old skirts!

Good Luck!

xxx

MikaLina

Old vanity case restyled!

Hey friends!

This is not a jewelry or accessories tutorial. It's something more. It's time to start a little bit of decoration projects! Recently I found my mom’s old vanity case and I started thinking if it would end up in the recycle bin or if I could transform it into a contemporary and romantic decorative element. My mom also is an amazing and talented artist when it comes to recycle and transform old things. So I have a strong legacy when I am involved in these projects. I am going to show you step by step the procedure and you will see how something old and broken can become beautiful and "alive" again!

Photo 1

Here is the initial look of the vanity case.

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The materials that I used:

Scissors

Glue for fabrics

Pencil

Golden spray paint

Acrylic golden paint

Paint brush

Paper

Scrap fabric

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First of all I had to paint with the golden spray the clasp because it was so rusted. I placed a paper around it, so I won’t paint the fabric. I painted the small areas that I couldn’t spray with a paint brush using gold acrylic color.

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In order to make a pattern I used plain paper and wrapped it around the vanity case. With my pencil, I draw the lines and cut these two patterns. I placed the pattern on my fabric and cut the pieces that I needed.

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With my paint brush I put a generous amount of glue in the upper part and started to glue on the fabric.

Extra tip: stretch the fabric while you put it on and with the back point of the scissors press inside the joining parts.

Tadaaa! It came out great and I decided that it can decorate my mini bookcase beside my favorite frame. So find old objects and rediscover their vintage beauty. I am sure you can create without spending money, unique and fabulous objects!

And don't forget Keep calm and be happy!

xxx

MikaLina

DIY infinity scarf & beany out of a pullover!

Infinity scarf out of a pullover

Infinity scarf worn as a beany!

Hi friends!

Except my passion for rings and necklaces I also love scarfs in various colors and textures. As I was browsing my closet I found an old knitted blouse and decided to transform it into an infinity scarf and beany. With only one pair of scissors and a few stitches you can make it too! 

So let's start.

Photo 1

You will need :

1) an old knitwear (preferably a pullover)

2) a pair of scissors

3) a sewing machine

Photo 2 

Place your knitted blouse on a straight surface and cut down the sleeves.

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Now take the remaining piece (body part) and let's go sewing it. 

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Adjust your sewing machine to zig zag mode and sew 1cm the hem. 

That's it! You have all-in-one scarf & beany ready to wear and you have re-used your old knitwear, too! 

Enjoy it!

xxx

Mikalina

Plain T-shirt refashion!

Happy New Year 2014 to all! 

Holidays are over so it's time to be busy again. We hope the new year brings much more inspiration and good ideas to share with you. Let's welcome 2014 with a simple T-shirt refashion. The process was fun and easy and the result unique and stylish. 

Model FKappou

For this project we used a basic cotton stretch T-shirt bought from a big chain fashion store. You can use whatever t-shirt or top you have in your closet for this project. You will also need paint for dyeing fabrics which you will find in craft and hobby stores. For the stencils either you will make some yourself or you can buy ready made. For this project we designed by ourselves the skull, lightning and cross stencil. 

For the application of paint we used a special spongy brush which we discovered at H&M shops. 

For the stencils we used a transparent sheet kind of presentation sheet. First you will draw the shape you want and then you will cut the inner part of the drawing with a sharp utility knife (like X-acto knife). 

After making your stencils we are ready to start the paint application. Lay out your T-shirt on a flat surface and put the stencil at the top of the left side (near armhole). Firmly hold the stencil with one hand and then apply the paint on it. With the help of the sponge - brush apply the white paint carefully. You can put the stencils side by side to make columns of stamps or however you want. The possibilities are endless. 

Model : FKappou

I'd like to thank my gorgeous model and friend FKappou for her valuable help. Working with her is always a pleasure! Thanks girl :)

Kisses

Tailor Spy