Tag: DIY

DIY

DIY: Leather Envelope Laptop Case

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLIES: Leather, Fleece, Fabric Glue, Velcro, Heavy Duty Thread, Regular Thread, Upholstery Needle, Tape Measure, Needle, Rotary Cutter, Straight Pins, Wash Cloth, Scissors, Iron, and a Sewing Machine.

 

HOW-TO:
1. You are going to create two rectangles.  For the first, pin a piece of leather and felt together, right sides facing each other. My Macbook Pro laptop is 13 in x 9 in (length x height), so I want to make this first rectangle 14 in x 17.5 in (Note: I added an inch to the length for the seam allowance, and then added 8.5 in to the height to account for the flap).
2. Cut it out.
3. Take the first rectangle which is 14 in x 17.5 in, and make a chalk mark 10.5 in from the bottom for the fold line.
4. Make a second mark one inch above the fold line (So it’s 11.5 in from the bottom).
5. To create my top flap, I made a chalk mark in the top center (For me, directly at 7 in).
6. I want the point of my flap to be 9 in in total, so I made a chalk mark 4.5 in on either side of the center line I created.
7. From the 11.5 in mark you made along the side, draw a diagonal up to the 4.5 in marks you made on the left and right side of the center mark.
8. Sew just around the edge of the top flap and about a half inch down the straight away of the sides.
9. Here’s what Step 8 looks like; now remove pins.
10. Turn this flap to the correct side.
11. Measure the desired length of the velcro, add glue, and adhere it to the inner flap.(Note: I add glue to hold it in place, and then later hand stitch it for added security, or sew it on with the machine with the regular thread).
12. Now you grab two more pieces of leather and felt, rights sides facing each other to create a second rectangle –this one will be 14 in x 10.5 in and will serve as the front of your laptop case.
13. Take this second rectangle and sew along the diagonal on one side as pictured (Note: Right sides are still facing together).
14. Step 13 will look like this.
15. Turn this second rectangle on the right side.
16. Take a damp wash cloth and lay it on both pieces to iron out any bulges.
17. Take the second rectangle and pin it to the front of the first rectangle (well…now, it’s more of a trapezoid); right sides together. Be sure to pin it 1/4 in below 11.5 in mark you made (So that’s in between fold line and this second line).
18. Sew the whole thing together on both sides and the bottom.
19. So you are certain you place bottom piece of velcro in just the right place; insert your laptop, stick bottom velcro onto top velcro every so lightly, apply glue, and press it into place. Let dry for a few minutes before removing laptop. Feel free to stitch it for added security.

 

 

 

:: Outfit ::
Jacket :: Zara
Tshirt :: No label (Thrifted)
Denim Chambray :: Uniqlo (Thrifted)
Jeans :: Banana Republic (Thrifted)
Envelope Laptop Case :: My creation
Rings :: Aldo
Shoes :: Steve Madden

 

DIY

DIY: Bead and Chain Bib Necklace

Over the holidays while browsing the lovely pieces on the Stella & Dot website, I happened to fall in love with one of their absolutely stunning mixed metal bib necklaces, but lost a little steam when I peeped the price tag. Not one to let finances dictate fashion…I took to Mood Fabrics for my jewelry supplies, and let the creativity fly to create my own.

Supplies:
Multi-purpose glue, bib template (download here), satin ribbon, tiny individual glass and plastic beads, straight pins, needle and thread, tweezers, felt, black rhinestone chain, loose leaf chains (purchased from another store), clear rhinestone chain, wire cutters, and scissors (Note: I also at the last minute added a bit of gold chain around the neckline for an extra special touch).

Step-by-Step:

1.Download bib template here.
2. Fold a piece of felt or ultra suede in half, and then pin the template to these two layers.
3. Cut out these two forms, and then remove straight pins.
4. Choose one layer of the cut out felt; set the other layer aside.

 

5. With wire cutters, remove leaves from their chain.
6. Cut rhinestones and beaded chains to desired length (Note: I suggest playing around with beads to get an idea of layout before doing any gluing and sewing).


 

7.Add a tiny bit of glue to back of chain to adhere it to the felt, following up with stitching where necessary for added stability.
8. Glue beaded black rhinestone chain within the body of the necklace; cutting where necessary to wedge into tight spots for a seamless appearance.
9. Apply a tiny amount of glue to fix leaves in place. Let leaves dry for at least 20 minutes before stitching them into place, and then repeat.

 

10. Take a needle and feed a single thread through top necklace layer, knot the back, thread tiny plastic beads onto the string, and then remove needle for ease of applying beads.
11. Once you reach your desired amount of beads, add needle back to thread and use it to drive this string back through this layer, and knot the back (Note: I also added a tiny bit of glue to the under side of the finished row of beads just so they wouldn’t move).

12. Cut 2 pieces of ribbon to your desired length (Note: You can cut one side straight across, and then cut the exposed side at an angle for added effect).
13. Apply glue (or clear nail polish) to ends of ribbon to avoid fraying.
14. Turn top layer of necklace over and glue each ribbon about 1.5 inches from top of each side. (Note: Feel free to also stitch ribbon to necklace).
15. Take 2nd layer of felt that you set aside in Step #4 and glue it to the back of 1st layer.

 

Enjoy!

Tell me below….do you have a favorite Stella & Dot piece you’d like to recreate?
 

DIY

DIY: Feather Collar Necklace

Plumes just make everything glamourous — don’t you think?!  From Flappers to the present day, we have been using feathers for ages to dress up everything from hats to handbags to skirts.  Want an easy way to update the simplest dress? Try this twist on a Statement Necklace that is sure to be a conversation piece.

WHAT YOU NEED:
1. Hot Glue Gun & Sticks
2. Feather Trim (purchased at Mood ) (Please note: the exact length of trim needed is directly related to desired length to drape your shoulders.)
3.  4 Different Types of Chain at varying lengths (1 main chain for collar, and 3 other chains that will be cut and used twice each).
4. Needle and Thread
5. 3 Gold Rings
6. Clasp
7. If desired, add 2 gold brooches for accents (I added old earrings that were my grandmothers)

THE PROCESS:
1. First cut feather trim at main gold chain to equal desired length (mine is 18inches).
2. Hot glue this main chain to the satin ribbon on feather trim.
3. Turn feather with gold chain now attached over, and stitch your clasp to one side (doesn’t matter which, all depends which side you want clasp on).
4. Cut first chain to create Chain 1 (31 inches) and Chain 4 (17 inches); Cut  second chain to create Chain 2 (25 inches) and Chain 5 (13 inches); and then cut third and thinnest weight chain to create Chain 3 (20 inches) and Chain 6 (7.5 inches)
5.  Add chains IN ORDER from 1 to 6 to gold rings on both ends.
6. Sew and hot glue one ring (with chains attached) to whichever side you did not attach clasp.
7. Open clasp and close necklace with this free ring that has chains now attached.  One more step and you’re almost done.
8. Hot glue earrings, 2 brooch, or whatever accents you’d like to add to the base of the feathers for a polished look.
Voila!

Now tell me what you’ve been rocking with feathers in your closet?