https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 22 Apr 2026 06:51:38 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023546 Wed, 01 May 2019 01:10:38 +0000 Karie 2023546@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I diy all the time. I make a lot of my own clothes, and I’ve made jewelry too. I’ve made curtains for the windows and pictures for the walls (for those I’ve done digital scrapbooking or embroidery). I paint, repair, refinish - you name it and I’ve probably tried it! It’s not so much a collection of hobbies as it is the satisfaction of doing things myself and having the end result be something I am proud of. I especially love being able to repurpose and reuse items. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023534 Wed, 01 May 2019 00:45:11 +0000 Barbara Diane 2023534@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have more ideas and supplies than completed projects. :)<br /> I have made many types of jewelry, greeting cards, fused glass pieces and other things. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023434 Tue, 30 Apr 2019 17:43:55 +0000 Liesbeth 2023434@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love reading all those stories, from nifty tricks to all-out craftsmanship. I hope I’ll have something to show for all my ideas soon. And if I ever have more time, your examples have inspired me to try on more clothes upcycling projects too! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023360 Tue, 30 Apr 2019 13:17:11 +0000 April 2023360@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My true DIY is limited to simple things like changing out ordinary buttons for something vintage and quirky (both matching and not) and chopping off pants to make crops.</p> <p>My sewing skills aren't good enough to do things like this myself, so I have a semi-DIY approach, taking many things to a tailor for a drastic re-style.&nbsp; My favorite example was a black silk shirtdress from Theory that was meant to be a maxi.&nbsp; On me, it dragged at least 8 inches onto the floor, so I had it hemmed to a just-below knee length, removing about 18 inches of the lower portion.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023354 Tue, 30 Apr 2019 12:31:56 +0000 always trying 2023354@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have been making jewelry for years .&nbsp; My DIL got me started, and I took a few classes.&nbsp; I also hem my own pants and dresses by hand.&nbsp; I find earrings very easy to make.&nbsp; I only buy ones like gold or silver hoops.&nbsp;Most are too big, too heavy or whatever, so making my own gives me what suits me, color, size, etc. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023347 Tue, 30 Apr 2019 12:06:23 +0000 RobinF 2023347@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love reading about all you handy people out there! </p> <p>Funny story - I needed a new sewing machine quick (emergency bridesmaid dress hem for my daughter and my machine stopped working) and didn't want to spend a lot so just went to Target. When I was checking out, the 20-something cashier says "Is this a -&nbsp; sewing machine?" like she had never actually seen one in person. She certainly had never sold one. I had to laugh but kind of sad too.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023337 Tue, 30 Apr 2019 10:45:56 +0000 lyn67 2023337@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I definitely DIY all what needs for a perfect fit of any clothing item. I regularly let out hems (on cigarette pants or skirts that are too short for my height/body and age even if they are supposed to be cropped). Sometimes I shorten midis for my very personal like, too.&nbsp;</p> <p>I've been known for always considering buying a bigger size of something if my size does have a wrong placement of the print -and will rather take in (sides/shoulder seams, etc.).&nbsp; Taking in waistbands(by pants and skirts). Or put in darts for taking in volume without sacrificing proper hips and bust width(dresses, shirts). Repairing some jewelry(but not making my own).&nbsp;</p> <p>In january sales I bought for nothing&nbsp; a sequin spaghetti strap (kind of a negligee cut) dress which obviously didn't fit/suit me and turned it into a pencil instead -because I loved the ombré effect achieved by the several shades of the red sequins used from hem up.&nbsp;</p> <p>My mother also taught me how to turn sides of a collar on a&nbsp; men's button down shirt&nbsp; for not showing wear at&nbsp; the neck (after several washings and ironing they can wear out) and I DID this with 2(!) of my DH's shirts, when couldn't find new shirts that are a perfect colorway to one of his beloved sweater (still in perfect not pilled out condition:-)). My Grandma did this&nbsp; regularly after&nbsp; the 2nd war for my Grandpa who was a&nbsp; car mechanic and his shirts were getting wear too quickly&nbsp; from dust and oil in his workshop- I'm still amazed how net&nbsp; older people were despite the obvious privations caused by the war.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023320 Tue, 30 Apr 2019 07:34:27 +0000 Gigi 2023320@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not very good at DIYing things, so no. I don't wear much jewelry, so it's not really worth it to invest the money on tools and classes for jewelry making. I can't sew either, and I'm not interested in learning (I tried once and didn't enjoy it; plus, I don't have a machine). I'm afraid to dye anything because I'm clumsy and know I will make a mess and ruin probably both the garment and my apartment, lol. So no, I'll be buying everything and not making it from scratch. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023309 Tue, 30 Apr 2019 02:51:40 +0000 Jaime 2023309@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>More on an outfit level than an individual piece level (using a dress as a skirt for example), but I will hack off hems, shoulder pads and so on. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023265 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 22:26:12 +0000 Brooklyn 2023265@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am very much into re-purposing items that I’ve tired of or that haven’t worked out so I always have a few DIY projects going, latest being:<br /> * re-dyeing several items (clothing, bags and shoes)<br /> *turning 2 dresses into skirts<br /> *turning a cardigan into a sweater coat (via the addition of several buttons and snaps)</p> <p>I can sew and knit but I rarely make a whole item from scratch.</p> <p>My husband is super handy and a bit of an amateur jewellery maker. He has made me some coin rings. Lately he is into resin and he is going to make me a resin cuff in the Verdura-Chanel mode. I will decorate it with one of my brooches from Etsy. Very excited about it!</p> <p>ETA: I also turned some long pants into shorts last summer. And that worked out really well. Went from about 2 wears to about 40 wears by the end of summer! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023258 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 22:11:20 +0000 JAileen 2023258@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’ve made some jewelry. I took a community college class several times. My most successful pieces were pins. I did lost wax and simple fabrication. I like to wear them on a jacket or coat. I also made a couple of pendants, and cufflinks for my son. I’ve also taken a lapidary class a couple of times. This is not putting rocks in a tumbler. This involves cutting and grinding, and finally polishing the rocks. It’s actually pretty hard and not something I really want to do any more. I just didn’t seem to catch on. More power to those who do. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023256 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 21:58:05 +0000 smittie 2023256@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love the idea of DIY jewelry.<br /> I actually need to look into this myself. I kind of know exactly what I want.<br /> And jewelry doesn’t seem so time-consuming a hobby as say, quilting or something. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023218 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 19:39:15 +0000 Anonymous 2023218@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just filter by US companies to make it easier for shipping-though there are some makers in Spain and Israel that look interesting </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023210 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 19:10:29 +0000 Liesbeth 2023210@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nemosmom: cool, I bet your kids love that.<br /> Rachylou: yeah, plans are easy :)<br /> Synne: hat looks nice, interesting that you’d make that out of bedsheets!<br /> Lesley: I’m still finding etsy hard to navigate sometimes, and hard to judge wether something will really be worth the enormous postage and occasional two month wait.. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023197 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 17:54:47 +0000 Lesley 2023197@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do not DIY, but in recent years I have wanted very specific things, and found etsy to be magical in fulfilling them. You just type your very specific ideas in the search bar, and poof, usually some crafty person halfway around the world is selling it for a song. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023192 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 17:40:28 +0000 Synne 2023192@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am somewhat crafty. I do have a plan to crochet a chunky sun hat out of old bed sheets or the like, but heaven knows if it will be this summer or in three years... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023187 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 17:01:38 +0000 rachylou 2023187@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I make plans to DIY... I do not actually DIY. Lol </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023177 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 16:39:22 +0000 nemosmom 2023177@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I DIY most pieces for my kids' halloween costumes. They are picky about specific costume ideas (usually Star Wars) and I enjoy thrifting for bits and pieces to make them look cool.&nbsp; I am not into sewing as a hobby, so most of my DIY is very project specific. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023141 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 14:54:01 +0000 Liesbeth 2023141@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suntiger: that may be me too. I'm still going to try now with some low-threshold jewelry projects, but with the silk scarf I also liked the idea more than the result. So I already filed away my plans of purchasing a complete set of tools and a couple of yards of silk :D. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023140 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 14:50:45 +0000 Liesbeth 2023140@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>RobinF: exactly, when I've done crafts in the past it did feel nice to know I was working towards something useful. Then again, I have a particularly low tolerance for clutter. Impressed that you sewed a robe!<br />Sarah: I think it can go both ways: either I'm being even more intellectual about my accessories (picking colors, shape and length according to what is supposed to look best) or I could develop some more love for the results seeing as I'd have invested myself in them. Also, knitting is not so hard to get started with. I knit a scarf, vest and beanie one winter after a quick refreshment course by mommy dearest :). Of course I don't know the type of sweater you're into; you would definitely need quite some patience and experience for intricate fair-isle or cable knits. Also, the results can be unpredictable (sizing).<br />Joy: you are right about the mess, which is why I must contain myself and take on only manageable projects that can hopefully be finished in one afternoon and without too much materials to be bought and stored. Already have a drawer and a bag filled with knitting needles, patterns and yarn... just lying there now.<br />Runcarla: I'm impressed that you sewed a quilted jacket! You must have quite some skill in that department. Repurposing intrigues me too, but sewing not so much, and since I don't have a machine or any interest (so far) in learning how to use one, my 'alterations' are limited to cutting off trouser legs and ironing on patches :). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023135 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 14:40:14 +0000 Anonymous 2023135@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with Joy about beading. I used to do a lot, but moved on to other hobbies.<br /> I tried sewing, but the fabrics I like are fussy and don't have a teacher right now, so leaving that to the pros.<br /> I've overdyed clothes, with mixed results, and may do some silk dyeing at some point.<br /> But I think I like the idea of Diy more than my own results (and resulting clutter)- so have been much more inclined lately to work with "proper" artisans to get the right things! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023122 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 14:08:41 +0000 Carla 2023122@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I used to knit and sew quite a bit - especially when my kids were little. I found boys store bought clothing so depressingly dark! When I couldn't find a LBD HEWI I sewed one! Black velvet, fully lined, with hand beading around the neckline. I've also made 2 pieced/quilted jackets - but they are too boho for my current style.</p> <p>I've been looking for a perfect-for-me beanie and may just knit it myself. I'm intrigued by the idea of repurposing clothing and turning them into new garments and have seen some interesting projects featured on the 'net. </p> <p>DS#1 made a funny looking Santa pin in elementary school. I still have it and wear it for a week or two every December!</p> <p>In the past couple of years, I've chopped some jeans into crops, shortened jacket sleeves to bracelet length, and surgically removed a hood from a puffer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023113 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 13:58:37 +0000 Anonymous 2023113@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I made bead jewelry and still have the tools, but found that there came a point that I could buy what I wanted and probably pay less and no DIY mess. I am considering making some bracelets inspired by Mainelady’s beautiful sets and they add something special to summer outfits that need a third element. I also have made lots of necklaces and bracelets for my sister who can not wear any metal. Most things have metal clasps.<br /> I would like to do more projects, but making a mess in a small house keeps me from starting. Also collecting the stuff needed takes up room that I do not have. I do alter some clothes like releasing hems or cutting off sleeves and necks from tee shirts, that sort of thing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023112 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 13:55:37 +0000 SarahD8 2023112@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes! I diy jewelry. My skills are not very advanced, just basic wire wrapping, but sufficient for what I’m interested in wearing. I highly recommend this route! Could be a great way for you to get past that feeling that your accessories are chosen with your head rather than your heart.</p> <p>My Pinterest feed is chock-full of photos of hand knit sweaters, they are *exactly* my aesthetic, but sadly I do not knit myself. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023096 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 12:39:55 +0000 RobinF 2023096@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have to add, I have always wanted to do silver metal clay but can't find it around here, although I haven't checked recently. That would be a fun craft to learn. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023095 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 12:38:28 +0000 RobinF 2023095@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I definitely am, I made jewelry for years and I think it started for the same reason you state, I couldn't find what I wanted in stores. I did felted purses for a while too, same reason. Sewing also. I couldn't find a robe in the style I had in mind so I made it and quite like it. Probably others too that I can't think of offhand. Now I primarily knit for relaxation but when the mood next strikes me I'm sure I'll be crafting something again. It's fun to make something that I find useful., it seems more purposeful. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/do-you-diy#post-2023093 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 12:09:57 +0000 Liesbeth 2023093@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi everyone</p> <p>I was wondering if many of you DIY fashion projects when you can't find what you want in-store. I don't mean people who knit or sew all the time as a hobby, but really doing some crafts projects in order to get a specific wardrobe item, perhaps a HEWI, yourself.</p> <p>I'm considering taking up jewelry making again, because it's so hard to find stuff I like in-store. My city has many shops and still I've had many disappointing shopping trips where all I found was either too expensive or a sea of sameness.</p> <p>Mind you, I'm not very patient with crafts projects. But I did do lots of that when I was a child and so I can borrow the tools from my mom (who kept it all) and refresh the techniques with some internet guidance.</p> <p>At the very least I thought I could pick out beads and pendants in colors that work with my wardrobe and create simple necklaces and bracelets myself. There's also a variety of workshops nearby where you can make your own piece of jewelry with silver-clay, ceramics, you name it, so that could also be fun. I did a workshop recently where I painted a silk scarf and I liked that I could wear something hand-made. I've also knit some items in the past but I don't have time for that any longer.</p> <p>Do you DYI? If so, are you results-oriented or do you just enjoy the process? Or, do you prefer to let yourself be surprised by the offerings in-store, on markets, on Etsy?</p>