Trash To Couture

DIY Refashioned Track Pants

This is a great way to transform a pair of sweats that may be a bit short or unflattering into track pants. I personally find this style more flattering with running shoes as well…which I wear a lot. You can also do this with sweatpants your littles have started to out grow. These make for great stylish play pants and they don't get dirty and ripped at the hem. 

  Step 1: Use a pair of pants if you have them as a pattern, otherwise free hand it. Make sure to leave about an inch for seam allowance. I cut about 3 inches off the bottom and cut only from the inside because I didn't want to mess with the outer seam.

 Use some ribbing for the bottom. I folded mine in half and ironed it flat. Mine was about 8 inches, so folded in half 4 inches.  The width was enough to fit around my calf plus 1 inch for seam allowance.

 With right sides together sew around the bottom edge. Leave about 1/2 inch over as shown in the picture to sew the leg seam up. As you sew make sure to pull the elastic ribbing so it fits all the way through. If you run out of room just sew some little pleats along the way. The folded edge should be the bottom of the pants.

 It will look like this when finished.

Last sew the inner seam up including the ribbing. I start from the ribbing and gradually met with the original seam. Cut any excess seam allowance. 

Great play pants. 

How To Make A No Sew T-Shirt Tote Bag

How To Make A No Sew T-Shirt Tote Bag In 10 Minutes

So, the other day . . .

Daddypotamus stopped by Whole Foods after picking up produce, meat and cheese from our local farmers market. The cashier took one look at our reusable bags and, um, insisted on giving us new ones. Apparently, they don’t like the look of them after they’ve been repeatedly dragged along the ground by children who “help” unload the groceries.

Anyway, I’ve been looking for an easy-to-carry, washable alternative for the kids to use, and over the weekend I came across the perfect solution. My local thrift shop was selling cute t-shirts for 99 cents apiece that were practically begging to be upcycled into a farmer’s market tote. They’re 100% washable, and when they’re no longer useful as bags I can cut them into rags to clean with.

There was just one problem: I can’t sew. At all.
Fortunately, I came across some no-sew ideas that Katie and I adapted to fit our style (which, if you’re curious, generally favors the color red and anything Snoopy). The took no more than 10 minutes from start to finish, and I love how they turned out.

Supplies

• Old t-shirt – The thicker the fabric, the sturdier the bag
• Sharp scissors
• Washable marker (optional)

Directions

Step 1: Cut the sleeves off

If you’d like to fold the t-shirt in half you can cut both sleeves at once so that they are identical. Or, if your material is too thick to cut them both at once, you can cut one, then fold it in half and use the cut side as a guide for the next sleeve.

Step 2: Cut the neckline area

If you’d like, you can turn the shirt inside out and trace the outline of a bowl before cutting. I used both methods and personally, I like free-hand cutting better because I prefer a slightly oval shape to a perfectly round one. I ended up trimming this one a bit to make it more oval.

Step 3: Determine how deep you want the bag to be

If you haven’t already turned your t-shirt inside out, do it now. Determine where you want the bottom of the bag to be and trace a line across. Keep in mind that depending on the fabric used, your tote is likely stretch and become longer when it’s filled with stuff.

Step 4: Cut fringe

Now grab your scissors and cut slits from the bottom of the shirt up to the line marking the bottom of your bag. You’ll want to cut both the front and back layers together because they need to match up for the next step.

I cut my slits about 3/4 to 1 inch apart.

Step 5: Tie Fringe

Okay, this is going to sound really complicated, but it’s NOT, promise. Take your first pair of fringe and tie it into a knot, then tie two more pairs. Now if you lift your bag you’ll see that although the pairs are pulling the bag together, there’s a hole between each pair. This next step will close those holes.
In the photo above you see three sets of fringe that have been tied in knots. What I do next is grab one strand from the middle set (the one with the arrow pointing left) and tie it in a knot with one of the strands on the left set. Then I take the other strand from the middle set (the one with the arrow pointing right) and tie it in a knot with one of the strands on the right set.

Then I take the remaining strand on the right set and tie it to the next set of strands, and so on and so forth until all the strands are tied. Now turn your t-shirt right side out again and voila, you’re done!

A Couple Of Fun Variations . . .

Turn the bag right side out when tying the fringe. This is one I made for Katiepotamus.

Tie the straps in knots, or tie bits of t-shirt scrap to the top as embellishments

don't forget to include shopping in your to do list ^__^

How to find your style tips for fashion

1. Explore and Discover What You Like.  Notice, I said, "What you like."  Not, "What you think you should like.", or "What society tells you you should like."

This is what you do:  Take an afternoon with no plans, and no rush.  Leave your wallet at home, and go shopping.  Preferably, at a nice store where everything is neat and laid out.  Browse, take your time, touch things.  Notice what colors pop out to you, what patterns catch your eye, and what fabrics you love.  This is a time for no judgement.  You are not allowed to think "That won't look good on me".  Likely, you will start to notice a pattern, but if not, that's OK too.  Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason, you just like it because you like it!

For example:  I love black clothes, but am consistently drawn to bright floral scarves.  Totally fine. There should be a healthy variety in your wardrobe to choose from.  

Let the pieces "Speak to you", as I always say (cheesy, right?).  You might like an amazing pair of leopard pumps, even though you never wore that print in your life.  The shoes are speaking to you!  Take note of that.  It's probably best to keep it to yourself though, I would not suggest running through the store yelling, "these shoes are speaking to me!"

2.  Once you have started to discover your style, it is time to Try Things On.  It is OK if you are still not sure exactly what your style is yet at this point.  Trying things on will help further that process.

For example:  I love the color yellow.  It's fun, happy, and pretty.  But most shades just do not look good against my skin.  (I say most, because once I found a yellow skirt that worked).  

Go to a store, and repeat the first step of finding items that "speak to you".  This time though, go try them on.  Here is where we need to remember our no judgement rule.

Fact: Not everything will look good on you.
Fact: Some things will look downright terrible.
Fact: It's not you, it's the clothes.

Let's focus on that last fact, shall we?

Clothes are created by a designer, one person.  We are many different people.  Therefore, it is highly unlikely that one designer's piece is going to look amazing on every woman in the world.  That is why it is important to try different brands.  Did you grab 4 pieces, and nothing looked good?  If they are all the same brand, chances are, that designer is not for you.  Oh well.  Move on and find something that does work.

3.  Have a Collection of Basics.  Now that you have found some great pieces you really love, it is time to go back to basics.  As with anything awesome, your wardrobe needs a solid foundation.

I am not sure where to begin about my love for basics.  They are just wonderful.  Their ability to mix and match, pair perfectly with that awesome printed blouse you just bought, or be an outfit all on their own is astounding.  Let's face it: sometimes we just are not in the mood to put an outfit together.  It happens, and that's fine.  This is where basic pieces come to the rescue.  Allow me to share my suggested items to have, and then I'll tell you my fail-proof formula for putting together an outfit in 5 minutes flat.

Basics to have:

- Dark Wash Jeans
- Solid T-Shirts in multiple colors, white is a must.
- Black Pants
- Black Pencil Skirt
- Blazer
- Denim Jacket

There are definitely more items you could have, but that is where I suggest you start.

4. Follow this easy outfit recipe: 

Basic + Print/texture + Jacket + Accessory = Stylish Outfit

It's as simple as that.  To break it down, what I mean is to start with a basic, like dark wash jeans.  Next, add something with an interesting print or texture, like a printed blouse.  Throw on a jacket, blazer, or sweater to pull it together, and then add an accessory (like earrings or a scarf) to polish off your look.  Presto!  You're dressed
http://www.meundeniably.com

here you are11 Simple Style Tips For Short Curvy Girls That’ll Make You Look Better Than Ever

11 Simple Style Tips For Short Curvy Girls That ’ll Make You Look Better Than Ever

•  Updating your style without buying new clothing is easy with these simple tips from Cindy Gordon , stylist at Wardrobe Therapy by Cindy Gordon.

   

  1. Try tucking in your shirt.

  

  
  

  

  When you’re short every shirt is too long, and when you’re curvy a long shirt can make you look larger around the middle than you are. An easy way to fix this is to tuck it in. A good rule of thumb is that your shirt should never cover your zipper.

  2. This is particularly important if you’re going to be cuffing your jeans.

   

  If you’re cuffing your jeans it already cuts your leg off, so tucking in your shirt will help section your body in a natural way. Also, if you’re going for a baggy boyfriend-jean look, then a fitted, tucked-in shirt is a good contrast for a cleaner look.

  3. Try an asymmetrical dress with heels to give you height.

  

  
  

  

  
  

  I would never tell a girl that she HAS to wear heels because to be honest they’re the WORST. But when you wear an asymmetrical dress it is best to wear it with heels. It will help make your calf look longer.

  4. Add a belt to elongate your legs and bring out your waist.

  

  
  

  

  
  

  If a dress has a cross-seam, belt it! This helps show off your natural curves and will break up your body a bit. Also, it makes your legs look super-long, which is a major plus.

  5. Pull in your waist with a dress or skirt.

  

  
  

  

  I’m a major fan of the “bag dress,” but it isn’t the most flattering. Pull in your waist for a look that shows off what you’ve got. It’s the oldest trick in the book but it really does work.

  6. Skip pants that bunch at the bottom.

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  They can give a “cankle” look and make you appear shorter than you are. Try a jean that cuts off at the ankle instead.

  7. If you’re going to wear cuffed jeans or shorts, skip sandals with ankle straps.

  

  
  

  

  
  

  Ankle strap sandals are great but they work best if you can’t actually see the ankle strap, because it can make your calf look bigger than it is and cuts off your legs in an unnatural way. Try something lower to help give your legs all the height that they deserve.

  8. Tailor your shirts!

  

  
  

  

  
  

  It’s unclear whom shirts are made for. But it’s not for short girls. If you have a racerback shirt, tailor it. Pulling up the straps to the correct position will help you look slimmer, and pulling the bottom of your shirt to the right length can cover your bra straps so you don’t have to purchase a special bra for your shirt.

  9. Try a blazer over a boxy shirt to help soften your look.

  

  
  

  Boxy shirts can make your shoulders look broader than they are. An easy fix is to throw a blazer or jacket over it to soften it up a bit.

  10. Skip the bat sleeve.

  

  
  

  

  
  

  Bat sleeves hit girls at the largest part of their arm and can be unflattering for most people, no matter their shape or height. Go with a longer sleeve to show off your guns in all their glory.

  11. Always cuff long shirts.

  

  
  

  

  
  

  Long-sleeve shirts can give a smaller girl way too much fabric to work with — you can end up swimming in them. Try cuffing your shirt to help break up the design.