Apr 24, 2013 | DIY
Music festival season is in full swing…and now is a great time to refresh some of your old faves in the closet and get them ready for the circuit! Here are some on-trend festival fashion DIY’s that can get you ready to rock out in a flash:
How about some DIY Suede Fringed Gladiator Sandals? So easy using suede fringe by-the-yard!
Turn a men’s t-shirt into a DIY Chain-and-Bead Halter Dress. Stitch on another tube of fabric to the bottom and you have a maxi-dress, or leave it short for a cute festival look or pool cover-up.
Layer on lace with my DIY Lace Top to Lace Vest tutorial. Looks especially cool layered over denim!
Make your own sheer DIY Lace Maxi-Skirt…From a Curtain for super-cheap (mine cost $2.99 for the lace curtain from Goodwill!)…even cheaper if you already have lace lying around.
While on the subject of lace…you could also attach lace to your boots for a pair of DIY Lace-Covered Boots to pretty up your steps.
And speaking of boots, you can also DIY your own version of those Ann Demeulemeester Lace-Up Boots, as long as you can find the base boots to poke holes into.
A DIY Bra Strap Headband is a great way to re-use an old bra strap – and adorned with a fancy pin, it looks equal parts boho glam and Art Deco festive.
Jazz up a tote bag with studs and fringe to make a DIY Biker Babe Fringed Tote. Coordinating biker dude sold separately.
Everyone needs a scarf to accessorize at a festival.
Try my DIY Necklush tutorial, or my DIY Leopard No-Sew Scarf from a T-Shirt tutorial.
Go the flower child route and make a pair of DIY Flowered Ballet Flats. Just a hot glue gun and some lace scraps and fake flowers are all you need.
If you’re up for a challenge, why not recon a guy’s button-down into a hot little DIY Jumpsuit Romper?
Or into a DIY Cute Summer ShirtDress? Totally festival- (and warm weather-) worthy.
Every outfit needs accessories too…and you can raid your fabric or home furnishings store for these DIY Curtain Rings to Boho Bangles.

And finally, you can also DIY your own Festival-ready Customized Rucksack with Kate’s Closet on ASOS. An oldie but a goodie! 😉
Are you guys looking forward to DIY’ing anything for any upcoming festivals or events you’re attending?
xo
Carly
Apr 17, 2013 | DIY
So having been so inspired by gold-appointed typography art, I just had to make some myself to hang in my new office. The great thing about DIY’ing it is that you can choose anything: any word, phrase, or saying that has special meaning to you – and forever memorialize it in paint and glitter. It looks so chic livening up a freshly-painted wall!
You Need:
pre-cut picture mat / large piece of white cardstock / gold craft paint / loose gold glitter (not pictured) / printout of your words / Mod Podge (not pictured)
Tools: paintbrush / tape / something to protect your surface / craft knife / pencil & eraser / ruler / bowl for paint
How To:
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Apr 2, 2013 | DIY
I love lurking on street-style blogs for many reasons, one of which is the MAJOR DIY inspo I can find there. Looking at the variety of other people’s outfits always gets my creativity wheels a-churning, thinking “oh, I could do this to a skirt I already have!” or “use an applique and you’d be able to make that!” etc. I find that the street-style blogs geared towards a younger audience (Lookbook.nu and Chictopia.com, for example) are such a treasure trove of inspiration for embellishment, cutting, studding, and clothing alteration that you can’t find anywhere else (and that you can easily make yourself). Given that Spring is in full swing already and skirt hemlines are rising, here is some mini-skirt inspiration sourced from Chictopia’s member style photos and shopping section:
Tibet Cross Skirt, $47
If you’re one for embroidery, you can embroider little crosses all over a chiffon skirt like in Hetterson’s Embroider a Pine Tree Dress for Frolic! Tutorial. You could also use fabric cut into cross-shapes, backed with Heat ‘n’ Bond…or even tiny cross appliques.
from user MARSELL
A DIY tutu is no problem…you just need a couple yards of tulle, a little time, and this great DIY Tulle Skirt tutorial from Cotton & Curls.
from user STYLELIMELIGHT
Looks like that white Zara wrap skort is suddenly having a moment. You could totally DIY something similar with a bit of white, stiff fabric using my DIY Simple Wrap Skirt tutorial.
Vintage 90s Corduroy Zip-Up Skirt, $30
Create a zipped-up look to any skirt by tacking a zipper down the front.
Aloha Peplum Skirt, $34
Make this yourself by using A Matter of Style’s DIY Peplum Skirt tutorial – it’s so detailed and the finished product is amazing.
from user THECOVERTBOUTIQUE
You could totally change the look of any skirt you own by throwing on a removable peplum over it…I did a tutorial for a puffy DIY Jil Sander Gathered Removable Peplum awhile back, and ...love, Maegan has a great tutorial for a flippy, soft removable peplum of leather (easily converted to use with your favorite fabric).
from user ZEANVO
I love this pretty yellow skirt with this contrasting black print! You could DIY this by hand-painting trees onto the bottom of a skirt with fabric paint…or even going the extra mile and making your own DIY Screenprinted Tree Skirt (and my tree image is available here if you’re interested).

Punching Leather Skirt in Black, $58
To DIY this takes a great deal of time and precision…but you could do it to a thrifted leather skirt, using a leather punch and Syl and Sam’s DIY Scalloped Skirt tutorial.
from user TWENTY7THINGS
Easily make a wrap-style tulip skirt from a large scarf like Lions, Tigers, and Fashion Oh My!. Perfect for a beach cover-up or a chic boho look to any outfit!
What are your favorite mini-skirt tutorials?
Happy skirting!
xo
Carly
Apr 1, 2013 | DIY
Declare your love for the Big Apple! Take that shirt showing genuine NYC pride and remake it into a stylish totebag. LOVE is in the details! Here’s how to make your own:
You Need:
I Love NY T Shirt (mine is a unisex Large) / White Thread
Tools: Tape Measure / Chalk / Sewing Machine Needle for knits / Scissors / Pin(s) / Serger /overlocker (optional)
Mar 28, 2013 | DIY
*This project was featured here in the New York Issue of Snippets Magazine on Cut Out + Keep in 2010; I’m just re-posting the tutorial on my site.
This last season of TV’s Gossip Girl has seen the two female leads wear some awfully big, flashy earrings in true 80’s throwback style. Taking a leaf from Blair’s Dynasty-inspired playbook, I’m DIY’ing another version of a pair of oversized gemstone earrings, using fabric and mesh tulle.
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Mar 26, 2013 | DIY
So, in case you missed being able to attend the Free People Portland x Chic Steals DIY Event over the weekend, here is the tutorial for these pretty wire-wrapped quartz pendant necklaces! Inspired by the Banjara Wishbox Pendant Necklace http://www.shopstyle.com/action/loadRetailerProductPage?exit=ProductDetails-Image&id=404915087 available at Free People this Spring, this quartz necklace is fairly quick and easy to make – and looks lovely layered with other necklaces, or all on its own as a standout piece. Here’s how…
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