Refashion: Boho pants turned into a Boho dress

I really like the idea of up-cycling and refashioning old clothes into a new item of clothing. It’s fascinating to see the creations that are made from transforming an old or thrifted article of clothing into something new and more modern.

I turned this pair of wide legged boho pants into a dress! I seam ripped the inseam of the pants and then sewed it up into a skirt. There are tons of videos on YouTube with tutorials on how to do this. It’s really easy to do!

For the top part, I removed the elastic at the top and with the extra fabric that was there, I used the top part of a pattern that I have in my stash to fashion a V- neck with straps. I had some leftover black cotton scraps that I used to cut into shoulder straps. I also used the black cotton for the facing. I cut the bodice to fit me and made it into an empire waist. Since there was extra material, I gathered the top part of the skirt.

This dress is the perfect quarantine dress. It’s so comfortable that I’ve worn it many times already. Comparing that to the fact that I haven’t worn this as pants for over 5 years, I’d say that’s a plus! I’m also embarrassed to think that it’s been sitting in my closet unworn for that long. It didn’t spark joy then, but it sparks joy now!

Up-cycling and refashioning is a great way to foster your creativity in sewing. It’s a great way to be resourceful with what you already have in your closet instead of throwing it away. What a fun and fulfilling project… Happy Sewing!

Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.

Fred Rogers

Valentine’s day LOVE tiles- A Fun Tutorial

These scrabble love tiles are a great DIY Valentine’s day project. It’s also a great way to upcycle those “extra” scrabble tiles. These tiles can be used for anything. You can make one as a pendant for a necklace, attach one to a scrapbook or attach one to a Valentine’s day card for a little pop!

You can use any small photo for these tiles. For my love tiles, I used some old thumbprints of photos. You know, the kind that you get from Target, Walmart or Costco when you order photos. They fit perfectly on the scrabble tiles!

For this project,  you will need:

-Scrabble tiles
-thumbprint photos
-modpodge
-acrylic sealer (optional)
-scissors or square paper cutter
-decorative stickers or paper
-nail file

Since the thumbprint photos didn’t completely cover the scrabble tile, I used a sticker as the base. Luckily, I had a square hole puncher that was almost the same size as the scrabble tile. I used this to punch out the sticker to fit perfectly over the tile. But if you don’t have a square hold puncher, scissors and a steady hand work just as well. I placed the sticker on the scrabble tile first. Then I used modpodge to glue the picture on top.Then I used a nail file to file the sides down since the sticker went a little over.

I made some tiles without photos. Basically, I did the same procedure minus the photo (and the modpodge for sticking the photo on the tile). When I was happy with the finished product, I brushed on modpodge over the whole tile after I had placed the sticker and/or photo on it.

I placed the tiles on wax paper for easier removal after drying. I let the tiles dry for about 20 minutes, then I sprayed acrylic sealer to give it a glossy finish. This is optional. Sometimes, the modpodge is good enough, especially if you don’t prefer a glossy finish.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial on Valentine’s day love tiles. I hope it inspires you to make them. Better yet, I hope it inspires you to create your own work of art or handmade treasure for your loved ones.

Today I am grateful for things handmade with love.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

“When I saw you I fell in love and you smiled because you knew.”
― William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

Upcycled guitar “pick me” holder

For this craft, I took a lid from a jar and turned it into something purposeful- a guitar pick holder. I was planning on recycling this lid, but decided instead to upcycle it. First, I spray painted the lid black. Two coats.

To decorate my upcycled-lid-turned-guitar-pick-holder, I took a guitar pick and used pink nail polish to paint it. I also put pink glitter nail polish on top. I used the pink glitter nail polish on the side of the lid too.

I hot glued the pick in the middle of the lid. I used scrapbook stickers to spell out “pick me”… haha… punny

Now I have a place to put all my guitar picks. There’s a place for everything and everything in it’s place.

Today I am grateful for music.