How To Make Your Own Clothes Without Sewing

(Watch my video to learn how an old, ill-fitting cotton blouse, a t-shirt and a broken necklace,  can be recycled and made into a uniquely embellished vest.)

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN CLOTHES WITHOUT SEWING
...from re-using these items:

1. From an Ill-Fitting Cotton Shirt to a Crisply Accessorized Vest or Jacket - Cut the collar and/or cuffs off of a cotton shirt and re-attach them to another article of clothing like a vest or jacket. 

2. From a Stained T-Shirt to a Soft, Girly Flounce - Cut off the bottom of a t-shirt and then cut that piece in half and gather one side for a flounce or train you can attach to a jacket or vest or another shirt.

3. From Broken, Out-of-Style or Tarnished Jewelry to a Ga-Ga Inspired Ensemble- Save any jewelry or hardware you would normally throw out because you will probably have the change to use them for embellishing. Drape chains across the back of a tank top or attach bracelets/chains to the shoulder(s) of a jacket, vest, shirt, etc. 

4. From a "Too Short" Short Skirt to a Peplum Look - Pat yourself on the back for hanging onto your minis no matter what unrealistic the reason. Put that shorty back on, but this time on top of another skirt or dress and you'll have a peplum look that everyone will envy. 

CLOTHES THE DEAL...Job Interview Attire Ideas - What to Wear to a Job Interview

Job interview fashion is about setting the tone for your entire career. A great concept to remember when dressing on for a job interview is to consider what you might wear if you were meeting your fiance's conservative parents...for the first time...in church! Nothing too short, too tight, too colorful, too revealing, too white, too black, etc. This criteria for dressing to impress a prospective boss probably seems impossible to meet so I've put together some great out fit suggestions with pictures to make it easy to ace 50% of that interview before you even leave your house.

I suggest tailored and layered with a cohesive color story or one color accentuated in one or two accessories. Good tailoring or well-fitting clothes are EVERYTHING. You can be suffering and symptomatic from the flu, in the pits of a break-up or even fearful of losing your job or rank and if you're wearing clothes that LOOK like they were made for you, it hard for people to think anything about you except that you know exactly what you're doing. If there's every a day you should wear a suit, it's for a job interview. Get inspired with the looks below and read the list of What to Never Wear on a Job Interview at the end.

• A Black Suit with a Slightly Contrasting or Printed Blouse and Black Closed Toed (or break suit pieces up)
• A Black Blazer with Neutral Modest-Fitting Slacks, a Slightly Contrasting or Printed Blouse and Closed Toed Pumps/Heels
• A Black Suit Skirt with a Slightly Contrasting or Printed Blouse Layered with a Knit or Sweater (Not too bold or bright in color) and Black Closed Toed Pumps/Heels

 

• If Not Black, A Grey or Neutral in Color Suit with a Contrasting but Complementing Blouse (It's OK to be a little boring when pairing items with your suite. This white blouse with subtle ruffle neckline is the perfect amount of pizazz)

• You Can Still Show Off Your Personality and Fashion Sense with Accessories. Stick to a Cohesive Color Story and Don't Mix Lots of Different Colored Accessories (Remember: You don't want your interviewer to be distracted by your clothing or outfit because he/she won't be interested in what you have to offer their company aside from an interesting look.)

• If, and Only if, You Truly Believe You Would Benefit from a More Casual, Less "Stiff" Interview Ensemble, By All Means, Take it Down A Notch. (Just one notch though. Check the looks below to understand how to dress less formal but still professional.)

What to Never Wear to An Interview

• Jeans - Even if you think you're compensating with businesswear on top, you're not. Terrible idea.
• Open-Toed Shoes - Bad Bad Bad. It's not professional or acceptable for a job interview no matter how new and neat your pedicure is. It also reads "cheap". Your interviewer could assume your desperate for employment which is actually not something business owners/managers look for in an employee. And since your interview outfit sets the tone for your careerwear, with that particular company, your interviewer could foresee a string of bad outfit choices, which just looks bad on her/him and puts the entire company's reputation at risk. All from a peep-toe! I'm telling you...Don't do it.
• An Oversized Sweater or sweater of any kind that isn't a vest or fitted. It's too sloppy-looking unless paired with leggings or tight bottoms, and that is too casual and not appropriate for a job interview.
• Flats - Heels exude power
• Lots of Pink - I love pink, but it's just not taken seriously enough in the workplace. Peach and dim pinks become acceptable once you're employed...in moderation, but hot/bright/neon pink should never appear at work.
• A Lot of Floral - Save the sundress for the weekend. Again, too girly - Not taken seriously. Dim, subtle floral/paisley prints are fine for a blouse, layered with a blazer or tailored jacket/knit.
• Tall Boots - Sex appeal can be played up slightly once you're employed...but if you don't know how to do so and respect the workplace too, then just don't even attempt. Again, you'll be able to show off your new leather, studded stems...that's what the weekend is for.
• Major Pieces with Shine or Shimmer - No sparkly jackets, skirts, pants. Subtle sheen like satin lapels or silver trim, fine.
• Mesh, Sheer or Unlined - As with the other "Not-to-wears", don't try to bend this rule. It's never okay to wear anything see-through to a job interview no matter the suit vest you paired on top or the pretty bra you bought to wear underneath or the flesh colored slip/lining that prevents you from showing "all" if the air conditioning gets a little low. Nude lining under something see-through still emits the concept of NUDITY and it shows that you are leading with your sex appeal, not your mind or personality.

How to Accessorize The Little Black Dress

You have one...maybe two or three. Your little black dress isn't exactly the go to choice when you're feeling fashionable frisky or adventurous, but it can be. Try these accessory tips with your LBD. You won't be able to pull off the "this ole thing" line even if it's true.

(Watch little black dress styling tips in video)

• Loosely wrapped scarf and/or studded/stitched belt around the hips
• Pop of color skinny belt cinching the waist
• Turquoise!
• Pop of color fitted blazer
• Black or silver blazer with subtle accents like satin lapels
• Tall boots
• Pearls and lace
• Chunky, sparkly necklace
• Leather gloves
• Ribbin tied around the waist or bow pinned at back
• Large yet simple hat or fascinator
• Bright colored pump

10 Things Men Love Women to Wear

The formula is: Hint of Costume Cliche (Waitress, School Girl, Lolita, Dominatrix, Secretary) + Hint of Easy Access (Plunge, Zipper, Ties, Short, Tight, Button Down, Transparent, Slits) with a "Halo" of Innocence = What Men Love Women to Wear.

The most important element in this formula is the "hint" which will attain the overall innocence of the look. It's a tricky equation to complete without error but who said men are anything but tricky.

The tip is not to go overboard in any direction. HE should not be able to put his finger on your inspiration. You DON'T want to hear, "You look like a waitress, or construction worker or middle-schooler".

Enjoy the examples below and please leave your feedback.

10 - PinStripes/Red, White and Blue

9 - Zips/Ties

8 - Black and Form-Fitting

7 - Off the Shoulder

6 - White Pencil Skirt/Pants

5 - Vests

4 - Fishnets

3 - Boots

2 - Plaid Skirt

1 - White Tank Top

Embellish Your Bikini - How to Make Last Season's Swimwear This Season's Trend

Because of my constant, craft obsessive ticks, I haven't personally found myself in the hell-on-earth predicament (at least not since I was like 13) of being caught in the same swim suit as another girl. I do know, however, that the risk of realizing you are standing in the fruity drink line on your Carribean Cruise boat next to a girl who is dawning the same bikini that you blew last months bonus on because it looked "totally unique" is nightmare enough for you to want to throw your fruity drink on...YOURSELF, in attempt to achieve your one-of-a-kind look...at last! In truth, the only way to really achieve that elusive one-of-a-kind summer guise, is to take what you have to Gem Class. I've got all kinds of options for turning last season's, worn-out duds into this year's must-have, flair.

LET IT RIP

Cutting slits into a lycra swimsuit can really edge it up. Just make sure the suit you want to destroy has lining or be EXTRA strategic when making those cuts! Nothing's worse than getting scissors deep into a project and realizing you've made some brain-lapsing mistake and there's no recovery button.

Lay your swimsuit flat on the ground or surface. I choose the ironing board b/c its height is perfect for this project and it reminds me to cut CAREFULLY as to not disrupt the swimsuit's lining OR the ironing board's padding. Use scissors, but only use one of the blades, to GENTLY and LIGHTLY make slits in the lycra part of your swimwear by pushing the end of the scissor blade into the fabric and SLOWLY dragging it accross. You will probably have to use a LIGHT "sawing" motion to get the blade to slice through the fabric without pulling or snagging it. I also find you can use the end of the scissor blade to start the slit and then cut through it using scissors normally. Horizontal slits only. (It is impossible to make them slanted or any other way as the cut won't be straight and you will probably just end up with a hole.) Refer to the photos in this post to know how far apart or close together you can make the cuts.

JUST A TRIM

Adding trim is one of the simplest and most transforming tactic in embellishing swimwear. The major cause for error you want to note is when you choose your trimming. If you plan on actually wetting the finished project, you need to keep that in mind and avoid trim made of fabric that could alter when water is added. The funny thing, I've found out, after lots and lots of swimwear embellishing and lots and lots of wearing my creations, is that there are trimmings you would think are unfit for this project and they actually hold up with wear, time and water perfectly. So I've made a list of suggested trims that I've tested in the elements involved with swimwear as well as some definite no no choices and added it to the end of this segment.

You will need to measure the areas of the suit you want to cover with trim so you know how much to buy and add on some extra to be safe. When shopping for your trimming for this project, I bypass the "sold-by-the-spool" section and find the area of the hobby shop that displays all trimmings sold by the yard. I like to inspect the trims to see if they compliment my suit and make sure they can easily be attached to it. The two techniques I use to adhere my trim to swimwear is hot glue or needle and thread (using stretchable thread). And YES hot glue works fantastically for this project AND does not pose problems if wet or over time. BUT, as always with hot glued items, hand wash or machine wash COLD and DO NOT PUT IN THE DRYER.

Trimming Suitable for Swimwear:

Rope - as long as the ropes are held together permanently and not just twined around eachother

Lace - preferably lace attached to piping or some sort of

Pleated Fabric - Not cotton

Don't Try it Trims:

Rinestones - Snags, dulls, falls apart

Fringe - Like Carrot Top's fro when wet

Beads - Too heavy for trimming makes for unavoidable nip slips and plumber's crack.

CLIP ONS

Anything with a pin or a clip can be attached to almost anything. This is my mentality when embellishing. I don't limit myself to the obvious. There is a fantastic store in my hometown Dallas called "Sam Moon". It houses tons of fun accessories at really fun bargain prices. During my summertime wardrobe remake sessions, Sam Moon's hair accessory/brooch section is off particular interest to me. There are big silk flowers with gems on them and colorful brooches. A few of these at $2-$3 a piece attached to the hip of a bikini bottom or in between the triangles on your triangle top and it's so simplictically genius I can't take it!

PUT A BELT AROUND ITPretty cut and dry here. Throw a belt over a plain suit and you've got bond-girl worthy beachwear. And unless you find a belt made of material fit to get wet, you should probably plan to take it off before going for a dip. 

STRAPPED IN

Oh the things you can do with a trim. When the Monokini became the hottest trend in wet wear, I decided to follow "suit". The problem I encountered was the fit. I cannot just go buy a medium bikini...I have to have a different size for top and bottom. So naturally, the one sized mono's were a no-go for me. If I wanted to achieve this trend, I had to take matters into my own hands...

While my photo shows how I connected the top of my animal print bikini to my bottom with what looks like a strap material, there are lots of stranding materials you can use. You basically want to thread the strand into your bikini. Try lace trim that's flat and sold by the yard or spool.

ZIP THE LIP

When I'm at a fabric/hobby shop, I always pick up some zippers in different sizes, colors, lengths.  They are a great wardrobe embellishment and the summer wardrobe is no exception. Adding zippers to a swimsuit it such a sexy illusion. I say "illusion" because you do not attach it as a working zipper and that is why you can attach it ANYWHERE. As with most of my craft ideas, I use hot glue to adhere the zipper. A paper bag or piece of cardboard placed under the part of the swimsuit you are working on will ensure your glue doesn't go through the garment or leak onto another piece of the garment or area of your working station. As with any garment that you use hot glue on, wash with cold water and do not put in dryer.Add a bit of lace for a "peek-a-boo" lingerie look.

Femininely Androgynous - How to Make Trending Menswear Sexy

Hugh Hefner's famous men's magazine, Playboy, is more world-widely known and recognized, than any other of its kind. Ask Playboy readers what makes the magazine's photos stand out over the web's endless supply of eye-popping, chest-clutching, uncensored nude media and the unanimity of the answers can be chalked up to the following summation: Playboy's images are more "classy" than images in other magazines. The photos emit sex, but in a "artistic", and more "beautiful" less "raunchy" way. I decided THAT is the EXACT portrayal I try to accomplish when I dress myself..."classy sexy". I've taken a cue from Hef and developed some tips to integrate into your look based on the winning element that Playboy says is vital to the classy sexy essence of every one of their photographs...the hint of a man. For example: If a model is posing in a beach scene, she might be lying on a sports logo'd towel...Or if the set is in a home kitchen, the model may be wearing a man's t-shirt or business-inspired, white, collard shirt while she's baking cookies (obviously for her man). Just as Playboy relies on a small HINT to complete and MAKE the shot, so can you to revolutionize your look.

The key to making menswear sexy and not...well, manly, is the HINT. More than a hint and you might as well be growing a beard and drinking a brewski. Here are some of the ways I found menswear can translate as classy sexy.

TIE IT IN
Add a men's tie to a simple ensemble. It's pretty amazing what adding a tie to an understated look like jeans and a tank does. I draped a light purple, paisley-printed, men's tie around my neck with dark denim skinnies, a white ribbed tank, a black blazer and heels, and I'm telling you, the reviews were unanimously favorable. Girls thought it was the best accessory idea since the bangle and guys couldn't stop untying me with their eyes. There's just something about "the hint of a man" that drives them ALL wild.

TUX IT AWAY

There are all kinds of new spins on the tuxedo. It's become a staple piece in any designer's collection that they've somehow reinvented a part of the classic tuxedo. I love a blazer with tails or a skinny tuxedo pant. Now, remember, a HINT. You're not pairing a tux blazer with tux pants...OVERKILL. But, a tuxedo pant with a simple top and heels, or a tuxedo blazer over jeans and a tank, KILLER!

Crafty Gal Tip: Turn your outdated slacks into trendy tuxedo pants with ribbon and glue!

Even those tapered leg, internship-interview pants can be added into your wardrobe rotation again with this trick. Find some ribbon that compliments the pant color and style you want to revamp. Adhere the ribbon to the sides of each pant leg with hot glue. Overlap the ribbon at the top and the bottom of each leg so the ribbon folds over the edge of the pants at the waist and the ankle and each end of the ribbon is glued to the inside of the pant (inside of the waist band and inside of the bottom of the pant leg/or cuff). Hot glued cloth washes in the washing machine just fine as long as it's in cold water but do not put in dryer.

CHAIN IT UP

The chain wallet or pocket watch is such a dignified piece of historical men's fashion that paying homage to it in your ensemble is not only sexy but interesting and a conversation starter. Since we are paying homage, we don't have to replicate the look entirely. It's not necessary that you begin to feverishly Ebay for "watch fobs". If you consider yourself creative or a fellow crafty-gal, just think of items (chain-like) you already have that you could easily attach to clothing and/or accessories.

Crafty Gal Tip: Use a chain necklace and attach it to a jacket or pants so it drapes at your waist.

There are so many ways to attach jewelry to clothing without damaging either item. I look for a button that I can clip the end of a necklace onto. Then I use a safety pin to secure the opposite end of my necklace/chain, usually to a pocket, by inserting the safety from the inside of the pocket and poke it through the outside of the pocket. Then I just "thread" the point of the safety pin through a chain link at the end of the necklace, and fastened the safety as your supposed to after poking the end back through the fabric. Attaching a necklace to the waist of pants or jeans is easy if you have beltloops to clasp the ends onto.

Crafty Gal Tip: Chain bracelets or necklaces make great shoulder jewelry.

Bracelets can be just as trending when it comes to accessorizing with chains. Chain embellishments rock an outfit when a linked bracelet is draped over the shoulder of a top or jacket. Take it one link further and drape a necklace over your shoulder attached at collar. You may need pinning from underneath to keep in place.

YOUR FEEDBACK/COMMENTS/QUESTIONS ARE ENCOURAGED AND WELCOME HERE.