Back To The Beginning

 

Do You DIY Like I

 

Shirt Hacks 

So, you are looking to cut down on your carbon footprint. I'm with you. You buy items that are packaged with recycled materials. You reuse your paper and plastics. You make a conscious effort to not buy so much, or at least slow down on contributing to the trash problem that plagues the world that we humans have caused. You also need some new clothes but your closet is screaming at you to go into clothing ketosis. SAME.

Now, you say you are tired of looking at that old T you keep saying that you are going to either throw out or turn into a dust rag, but don't. You don't because there's something about it that has you in a chokehold. You can't name it, you don't want to claim it, but it's there and got you on lock down. Solution...T upcycle. Shirt reimagined!

Let's face it, gone are the days where a few cuts here and there make your shirt fresh and inspiring to others, turning heads everywhere you go. Used to be that you could cut here, rip there and be done. Now days, you have to put some effort into your effortless upcycle. Just saying.

 Maybe you no longer desire looking like you came out of an 80's sitcom with the one sleeve cut off zig zagged  and tied back together (Or maybe you do, no judgement). But these Tik Tok shops have you all up in the shopping cart running out the internet store like you stole something, trying those damn trends to be current. Don't act like you don't know.

But let's say you are just ready to move on to bigger and better things, without spending like it.  Ok, Sure there are a lot of hacks on IG and Tik Tok flooding your "For You" page. You check out your fave influencers and besties who make it look soo easy with their 5 minute hacks and quick flashy reels and shorts. I get it. You then start or check your vision boards on Pinterest, and now you think you are ready to dive in sheers first. 

Slow your role of fabric fuse tape. Take a beat. Assess what your needs are first. Make a mental or physical list of those needs, and what you have available, what you are willing to add, make, trade, or pay for, then dive into  organization of the supplies from your research. This way you can, combine some or all of what was acquired, while leading you to weed out or include entirely new aspects.

 In addition, you should assess your crafting/sewing/gluing skills as well as your color and texture eye. Where are you? Have you always been a crafty person? Just starting out? Have some skills, or non at all?  Are there any physical challenges that may slow down the project? What is your prospective work space like? Got Storage (in the "Got Milk", voice)? Know how to pair colors?  Not sure where to look, but you do know you are ready to expand your creativity? Or are you a badass with the sewing machine and some fabric glue ready to give those fast fashion dweebs the repurposed bedazzled boot to the curb, and just need a jump start?

Cutting first before going through this assessment starting of this repurposing journey may add more waste:

 1.) Waste of time because you messed up your project without taking time to plan and research

 2.) Waste of effort, you started out with the best of intentions and now you are disillusioned with the           hot mess you created, ending the project, and stopping the idea all together.

 3.) Waste of material, causing more contributions to a land fill, not to mention money you were trying        to save.

I have composed a list of a few YouTubers I follow who have awesome talent and ability in upcycling garments, not just the basic T., that are so simple yet are very fashion forward.  I didn't want to rip off other bloggers for the "Top Ten DIY Shirt Hacks you should try", or "How to revamp that shirt the loser you dated, and who dumped you, left behind". I just didn't want to be that person. 

These fashion designers illustrate varying degrees of complexity for every level of your upcycle journey, keeping in mind that not everyone has access to a particular tool that is in the video, giving the viewer an alternative that may best suite their need and situation. Their mission is for you the viewer to be more than a consumer of goods. They want you to go out there and show off those creative visions you have set aside for so long, as well as help you to cut down on "fast Fashion". 

A brief definition of Fast Fashion: The rapid production of clothing that is low in cost, trendy and cute, but high in its environmental footprint worldwide. The production of this type of fashion has very questionable labor practices, with items that won't last for the long haul. Leaving the consumer to toss out these products, months or even weeks after being purchased. 

Sew (get it, sew-so) without further ado, here are my inspiring upcycling creator picks:

Sachiko's blog is http://tearosehome.blogspot.com/2010/01/tutorialruffle-shirt.html. She has this cute top make over that I just can't wait to try. Seems like a pretty easy tutorial, I just ran through it quickly, but, I did like what I saw. Her picture tutorials are detailed, and have great quality. Her page is definitely well put together, unlike a certain person  I know, but just you wait! Definitely something you would see in a store on Montana Ave. in Santa Monica C.A., or on Abbot Kenney in Venice, C.A. Lovely. 

Matilda of Fashion Wizardry has a great DIY No Sew tutorial on YouTube . Great clear shots of what she is doing. Clear step by step instructions. Beginner friendly, with no pressure on how fast the project needs to be completed. She also includes styling for you as well. Her upcycles not only have your classic T, but men's dress shirt, jean hacks, and even some hair ideas. Her bestie attitude is cute, and will keep you coming back.

My second fave DIY  YouTube Designer is Orly Shani. She has some awesome diy ideas which she executes beautifully. She shows different skill levels so you won't feel like you can't achieve the same or similar look. She also includes some bloopers which makes it a fun and entertaining watch. I love how she models her projects in her neighbor hood. I just know her neighbors are like, "Here she goes again." All the while taking notes. 

Orly tries to keep it frugal, knowing we all don't ball on a baller's budget, and many of the project are completed on her floor, so the average person can relate to the creative process. (Meaning me. LOL) She loves to bling, and use color. Plus she lives in LA. How can I not like her. (Orly, holla at your girl, I want to go to the bead district DTLA with you girl.) Orly even shouts out my next mention in a few of her videos. Love her. Fashion Language is a big thing with Orly, and she takes you through the steps to find yours. Scissors up!

Now, my ultimate go to gal would be Angelina from Blueprint DIY.  What she can do with a thrifted tee... Gurl! This woman has everything for the sewer in you to the fabric gluer extraordinaire. All skill levels are welcomed, and tutorials are a breeze to follow. 

She likes to keep ahead of the fashion trends, and does several videos on what's in the fashion que from the major designers, then giving you her spin on how to interpret what just went down. (P.S. She loves straps, pockets, and upcycling Adidas stuff.) You have been warned.

Now, if you are fashioned challenged, she does style the pieces at the end of the tutorials so you have an idea on how to find your fashion language. If you still can't work it out, she also has a store with items that have been thrifted and reimagined for your buying pleasure, as well as a fashion journal for those who are looking to get a bit more organized about upcycling. If you are looking to get into upcycling, Angelina and her crew (Tiara & K-Shell) will set you straight.  They also have thrift challenges that will keep you in stitches (Ha ha).

 I do own a sewing machine, but I have limited space, so I rarely use it unless I have several pieces that need to be put together, otherwise a lot of these upcycles would have been made several times over! That and I'm a serial crafter. But if I had more space and time, these ideas would be in my closet for sure! Now don't let my situation stop you. Try these talented creator's ideas and see what you can do. 

** I didn't include photos of these creators or their finished pieces  because I have not contacted them on using their images, and want to be respectful of how they are viewed.

***Sorry for the formatting issues. The post is fine in drafting, but once published, the post does it's own thing.