Fashion / Our 5 DIY Tips On Giving Your Style A New Spin!

Our 5 DIY Tips On Giving Your Style A New Spin!

Fashion Jun 17, 2016

by Devika Goberdhan | Features Editor - Fashion

It's never too late to clean out and recycle. Instead of ditching it how about some cool ideas on taking something and making it totally different! Here are our top five must-do-now tips!

I admit, I can be a bit of a pack-rat when it comes to throwing out old tops. But, I just can't help myself! Every time I decide to do some spring cleaning, I suddenly become very defensive about getting rid of my clothes. I usually reminisce about the good times I had in an outfit or sometimes I convince myself that I will someday fit into that top again. Other times, I stop myself from donating an item because it's either not in the best condition or I think "what if I decide I want to wear that one day?" (Mind you, I just dug it up from the back of my closet, and I will likely forget about it once I pack it away again.)

But still, the idea of throwing my clothes away can be a distressing experience for me.

That's why I have a strong appreciation for the recent trend that involves recycling or upcycling old shirts and tank tops. It lets me dabble in the world of DIY, make use of the clothes I don't wear often, and many of these ideas don't involve the dreaded needle and thread.

Who knew there were so many ways to reuse a ratty old shirt?

Here are my top five DIY ideas for recycling old shirts into something trendy that will have you feeling and looking fabulous, and it'll keep a few extra dollars in your pocket:

1. Crop That Top!

I really love the idea of revamping old tops that are not necessarily "in style" right now by turning them into crop tops. It's super easy, and definitely keeps some change in my purse for more important things, like shoes.

What You'll Need:
A t-shirt or tank top
Scissors
Chalk or marker
Ruler

Here's How To DIY:
1. Lay out the shirt you'd like to transform into a trendy crop top on a flat surface.

2. Use the ruler to measure a straight and horizontal line on the shirt (somewhere in the middle) to remove an amount that you're comfortable with (measure between the hem of the shirt from where you'll be cutting and the underarm of the shirt, this will make sure your cut will be even). Then, use the chalk to mark where you'd like to make your cut.

3. Optional: Mark and cut along the seam to remove the sleeves and neck of the shirt.

4. Cut along the line that you marked with your chalk or marker.

5. Pull along the edges (where you made your cut) to make the cloth stretch out a bit and not look so freshly cut.

6. Rock your new crop top!

^{Crop that top!

Photo Credit: www.daintylittledreams.blogspot.ca}

2. Embrace The Fringe

I think fringe shirts are fun. As well, depending on the cut of the shirt, the fringe can provide that additional coverage for those who are not as comfortable totally baring their mid-drifts.

What You'll Need:
A t-shirt or tank top
Scissors
Chalk or marker
Ruler

Here's How To DIY:

1. Lay out the shirt you'd like to transform into a fringe top on a flat surface.

2. Use the ruler to measure a straight and horizontal line on the bottom of the shirt (measure between the hem of the shirt from where you'll be cutting and the underarm of the shirt, this will make sure your cut will be even). Then, use the chalk to mark where you'd like to make your cut. It's up to you how short you are comfortable with your shirt being.

3. Optional: Mark and cut along the seam to remove the sleeves and neck of the shirt.

4. Using your horizontal line as the end point, measure and mark vertical lines on the front and back of the shirt (about 1/2 an inch thick or as thick or thin as you'd like). This step will create the fringe look!

5. Cut your pre-measured strips. Once this is done, give them a little tug. Doing this will make the cuts look less fresh, which is especially important if you made a boo-boo or your scissors were dull.

6. Take each strip and tie a knot at the bottom end of it.

7. To jazz up your fringe even more, take two of the vertical strips, hold them together and make a knot about 1 inch from the initial horizontal line you had marked/measured from in step two.

8. Strut your stuff in your very own creation!

^{Go ahead, feel the fringe!}

^{Photo Credit: https://www.pinterest.com}

3. Non-Slip Hangers

I really dislike having to use hangers, especially with my chiffon tops and anything with spaghetti straps or wide necks because it almost always slips off. I often find myself having to use ninja-like maneuvers to get the clothing onto the hanger, and hung up in the closet before it falls off. Quite frankly, this is no way to live. But, because I also dislike having to iron or steam my clothes even more (mostly because it's tedious and I'm lazy), I'm still forced to use hangers. That's why I fell in love with the idea of making non-slip hangers using fabric, such as from old shirts that I know I'm never going to wear again: it's a win-win situation!

What You'll Need:
A bare hanger
An old shirt (cut up into strips of any size)
Scissors

Here's How To DIY:

1. Grab your hanger and a strip of cloth.

2. Begin wrapping the hanger with the strip of cloth, and overlap the cloth onto the hanger as you wrap it all the way around the frame. If the strip of cloth that you're using runs out, grab a new strip and wrap/overlap it a few times on the same spot before continuing to wrap the hanger.

3. Once you're all done wrapping, tie a little knot to stop the cloth from unravelling.

4. I dare you to put your slipperiest shirt or dress on there!

^{Slip-proof style!

Photo Credit: http://www.designbyhumans.com}

4. T-Shirt Tote Bag!

What You'll Need:
A t-shirt (a graphic tee would be ideal)
Scissors
Ruler
Chalk or marker

Here's How To DIY:
1. Lay out a shirt (try to use one that has a cute graphic on it).

2. Outline with chalk where you're going to be making your cuts (think of it like you're preparing for surgery and channel your inner Meredith Grey or Mark Sloan). You'll be cutting off all of the seams in the shirt, such as the sleeves, the neckline, and the hem of the shirt at the bottom.

3. Next, you'll need to grab your ruler to mark vertical lines (between 5-10 inches wide) from the bottom of the shirt. Then cut.

4. Once you've cut your vertical strips, you'll need to stretch out the material. Be careful not to rip off the strips. I would recommend holding onto one end while you pull.

5. You'll maybe need to YouTube this part (but, at least you won't have to sew anything): you'll need to tie the cut strips by taking two at a time and tying them into knots (a square knot is preferrable).

6. Enjoy your thrifty new tote!

^{Loving the totes.}
^{Photo Credit: http://www.chiquitamoms.com}

5. A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

We all have some shirts that we just do not want to get rid of or potentially ruin by wearing it. That's where the idea of framing a shirt comes in as it takes care of both of those concerns and most importantly, allows you to put some of your favourite memories or images out on display for all to see, and it's at a minimal cost.

What You'll Need:
An old shirt (like a concert tee)
A picture frame (8.5 x 11 inches or whichever size is to your liking)

Masking tape

Here's How To DIY:
1. Place your t-shirt with the image or words that you'd like to see facing the glass.

2. Fold the shirt neatly on the glass and tape it into place.

3. Replace the backing onto the picture frame and close it up.

4. Pick a spot in your home to put your new picture and enjoy!

^{Picture it!

Photo Credit: http://lilbit.michelevenlee.com}

I hope you've found some inspiration to raid your closet and get designing! Happy do-it-yourself-ing!

^{Main Image Photo Credi: https://whataboutthis.biz/tag/pizza-recipes/}

Devika Goberdhan | Features Editor - Fashion

Author

Devika (@goberdhan.devika) is an MA graduate who specialized in Political Science at York University. Her passion and research throughout her graduate studies pushed her to learn about and unpack hot button issues. Thus, since starting at ANOKHI in 2016, she has written extensively about many challe...

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Our 5 DIY Tips On Giving Your Style A New Spin!

by Devika Goberdhan | Features Editor - Fashion

It's never too late to clean out and recycle. Instead of ditching it how about some cool ideas on taking something and making it totally different! Here are our top five must-do-now tips!

Devika Goberdhan | Features Editor - Fashion

COMMENTS

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