DIY Braided Chain & Embroidery Thread and Nylon Cord Necklace

As soon as I saw this necklace here on Shopbop.com, I fell in love. I realized I needed to make a tutorial as soon as possible as soon as I saw the price. Read on to see how to make your own!

$84.00 at Shopbop.com





Supplies:
- embroidery thread in at least 3 different colors
- nylon cord or mouse tail cord (the one above is rainbow)
- small chain
- jewelry pliers or needle nose pliers
- jump rings (bigger ones that you can get all the thread through)
- clasp of some kind
- super glue

Directions:

1. first you need to make a very long braid twice as long as you want your necklace to be. make this braid a little longer because you can always cut excess off. use whatever 3 colors you wish. the above necklace is made with a braid of blue, yellow, and black. be original and make yours unique :) make sure to tie the ends securely. use a dab of super glue inside the tie for extra hold.

2. decide how many chains you want. the one above has about 3-4 very small chains side by side then doubled (which makes it appear to be 6-8 chains thick). you could make yours smaller if you don't want as much of a chunky braid.

3. attach a big jump ring to the clasp. put your chains through the jump ring so the there is equal chain on both sides and it rests on the jump ring in the middle. put the strands together and you should now have a doubled strand.

4. do the same thing as above in the same jump ring with your braided embroidery thread.

5. using the middle of the embroidery thread that is in the jump ring, put the nylon thread through that and make it even in the middle and then put the 2 strands together so it's doubled (like the last picture above).

6. now braid your chain, cord, and thread like you would normally. do this carefully so it's all even and nothing bunches up. this is a very thick braid.

7. Finishing the braid: As you are about to finish your braid, slip both the embroidery braids through the other (ending) jump ring. then tie the nylon cord around the braid right above the jump ring. then tie around the chain right next to where you tied the braid. use the above last picture for reference (the left side). tie off the nylon cord and use super glue to secure the knot if you think it'll come loose.

8. let the ends of the braids hang free (like the above necklace) or you can cut them off if you don't like that look. be creative :)

Make it yours, make it unique, make it awesome, make it chic. 

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DIY Cut Out & Studded Denim Jacket

Bored with all the plain old studding you are seeing everywhere?
Well, I sure am. Especially since it's been a trend for at least a year and it's finally now hitting the midwest and I am officially in need of something a little newer.
Still keeping the studded look, but with a new twist. :)



Supplies:
- denim jacket (the thicker it is, the better the cut-out shape will be)
- chalk, disappearing fabric pen, or sharpie
- template to trace or you can free hand it
- shears or possibly a rotary cutter
- studs (square, circle, spikes, etc)
- pliers (to help fix the studs)
- (optional) sewing machine & thread

Directions:
1. lay your denim jacket out as flat as possible
2. draw the pattern you wish to cut out (like a heart or a cross) on the back of the jacket where you'd like it to be. the center will probably look best.
3. carefully cut out the shape using whatever you feel most comfortable with
4. optional: sew along the edges of the cut out about .5" - 1.0" away from where you cut so it won't just continue to fray past a certain point. the more room you leave, the more it will fray.
5. border your cut out with studs! They could be spaced a certain way or just right next to each other.
6. boom ya got a fancy new jacket. go rock it the next time you go out! :)

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DIY Distressed & Paint Splattered Denim Shorts

I also just found these here over at topshop.com for a ridiculous $68.00.

I know we can make these for way less. Shall we? :)



Supplies:
- denim shorts or pants that you are willing to cut into shorts
- scissors
- sand paper
- exacto knife
- acrylic pant or fabric paint in w/e color you wish
- bleach (optional)
- tarp or outside place that you don't care to get paint on
- paint brush or something to splatter with

Directions:
1. cut your shorts to the length you want
2. distress with a knife or sand paper
3. lay your tarp down or go outside to where you don't have to worry about dripping paint
4. there are a couple different ways to splatter paint. you can just do it with a paint brush or you can mix it with water and it'll be a little more fluid but it won't be as thick or as opaque on the denim depending on how watery you make it.
5. let one side dry completely then do the other side.
6. (optional) add some bleach effects in some way to give it a better surface quality. either splatter it or dip it. have fun with it and make it yours! :)

rock your new one of a kind fancy new paint splatter shorts!

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DIY Neon Bias Tape Hem Denim Shorts

I found these here at topshop.com for a ridiculous $64.00

I think I can do a lot better than that! :)



Supplies:
- denim shorts or pants that you'd be willing to cut into shorts
- scissors
- sewing machine
- thread (contrasting or matching)
- bias tape in the color you want on the bottom. neon looks sweet!
- measuring tape
- pins

Directions:
1. cut your denim to your desired length (shorts or pants). try not to fray it.
2. measure out the length you'll need around each leg hole with your measuring tape.
3. cut the bias tape for each leg.
4. pin your bias tape to the bottom of each leg hole.
5. sew it with a sewing machine carefully.

say hello to some brand new one of a kind shorts!

a pair of these in black with neon accents would look sweet for even a spring/summer casual going out look!

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DIY Dip Dyed Lace Blouse // EXPERT

I've also been seeing lace everywhere lately. Whether it be in a blouse or skirt or even trousers (if you can pull those off...more power to ya!) How about spice it up a little bit and dip dye the button up part or maybe even the top of the skirt or bottom? I'll tell ya how to go about it below!

This tutorial requires you to know basic construction of clothing and a sewing machine.



Supplies:
- something lace with a cotton solid trim
- multiple dyes of some sort in the colors you wish to make your different dips(rit will work if you don't have access to anything else)
- something to put the dye in that you won't eat food in again
- paper towel or something to put under the bowl in case of spillage
- rubber gloves
- seam ripper
- sewing machine
- matching thread (in the color of your dip dye or white or maybe even a contrasting thread)
- scissors
- sewing pins

Directions:
1. lay out your shirt. figure out which aspect of it that you wish to add a colored dip dye to (collar or button up part).
2. seam rip out the part that you wish to dip dye.
3. keep the garment in a place where it won't be moved if you think you'll have trouble lining the part you just ripped out again
4. put on your gloves.
5. prepare your dyes. if you just want two colors (say hot pink and deep red), use two bowls (or whatever you chose to use) and put one color in each.
6. dip part of it in 1 color for the time directed on the dye box/bottle/packet.
7. once that part is dyed, carefully dip the other half in the other color for the time directed on the dye box/bottle/packet. make sure there is no white showing between the colors (unless you want that effect of course)
8. carefully wash out each half of the piece of fabric in the sink until the water runs clear. careful not to just throw it in the sink, you don't want all of your dye separation to go to waste!
9. lay flat to dry. use a blow dryer if necessary.
10. pin your piece of fabric back onto the garment the way it originally was.
11. sew it back on!
12. boom! you have a fancy new completely unique statement piece!

Image courtesy of Pepper and Chips

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