FaveCrafts

1000s of free craft projects, home decor ideas and DIY tips

Link Love: T-Shirt Makeovers

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Summer is a time to store those heavy sweaters and unearth light and airy t-shirts from the back of your closet. However, you might quickly discover that last year’s tees no longer fit or work with your wardrobe. Well… step away from the trash can because you can use ill-fitting cotton t-shirts to create a variety of crafts. Whether you simply cut up an old shirt or create something entirely new, there are so many ways to show off your creativity and save money on fabric. Plus, t-shirt crafts like refashioned tank tops can be worn during the warm summer months.

Another great idea for upcycling t-shirts is creating jewelry. No, this doesn’t mean you have to make a precious bauble. Instead, create a Braided T-Shirt Necklace with just a few strips of fabric. Sewing skills often come in handy when creating t-shirt crafts. A Groovy T-Shirt Tote isn’t hard to make, but it does require a needle and thread. T-shirts can also be extremely useful when creating inexpensive home decor crafts. Cover your couch or bed with Easy T-Shirt Pillows – the more worn-in the fabric, the softer the pillow! This is also a great excuse for saving meaningful t-shirts you no longer want to wear. You can’t be considered a hoarder when you upcycle your shirts and create something useful … right?!

Get inspired and go green by upcycling old t-shirts. Create funky wearable, pretty decor crafts and more while saving on fabric and supplies – what’s not to love?

  1. Funky Necklace from My So-Called Green Life
  2. Rocking T-Shirt Redo from Steph Chows
  3. Braided Flip Flop Straps from Make It, Love It
  4. Neon Fringe Shrug from Clones n’ Clowns
  5. Tie Dye Rosette Shirt from The Crafting Chicks
  6. Cut Out Back T-Shirt from Love Maegan
  7. Gathered Shoulder Altered T-Shirt from Crafty Staci
  8. Draped Necklace Tank Top from Creme de la Craft
  9. iPod Holder from Oh So Pretty

Tee Shirt Beaded NecklaceIf you’re like me, you have a bunch of t-shirts just waiting to be crafted into something new! Try out these patterns too and make something amazing today.

Link Love: Galaxy Print DIY Projects

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It’s time to take a trip to a galaxy far, far away. Don’t worry, you don’t have to hop in a space ship or even leave the house. This week, we’re taking a look at a huge trend in crafting – capturing the beauty of the outer reaches of the galaxy!

Lately, it seems that a ton of DIY projects and craft tutorials have featured deep purples and dark blues with contrasting white or yellow dots to depict planets and stars. You don’t have to be a “science nerd” or a “space geek” to rock this print, either. In fact, this trend is taking over and everyone from kids to celebrities can’t get enough.

You’re most likely to find craft projects for wearables such as purses, shoes, pants and t-shirts when it comes to galaxy prints. For many of these projects, you can upcycle an old plain item and create a brand new piece simply by using acrylic or fabric paint. The dark colors and splashes of light can be found in a variety of jewelry projects as well. If you like the look of these crafts but want to work with beads, consider creating a Moon and Stars Anklet. This way, you can take part in a trend while still using materials you have.

If you’re not interested in creating your own galaxy print accessories and clothes, consider creating your own candle holders or crayons. Think outside the box and use elements of this popular print in unexpected ways. It’s a great way to add an unexpected twist to an average DIY project. You can even make a Celestial Pen and Stand and add it to your desk. Hey, it beats an expensive trip to space camp.

 

  1. Galaxy Print Shoes from Time for Tea
  2. Space Crayons from Mini-Eco
  3. Galaxy Dress from Stars for Streetlights
  4. Galaxy Purse from Syl and Sam
  5. Galaxy Candle Holders from Sheepy Me
  6. Galaxy Cuff from Pretty Quirky Pants
  7. Galaxy Shorts from The Cheekiest Monkey of All
  8. Cosmic T-shirts from Thread and Butter
  9. Galaxy Nail Art Inspired Ring Makeover from Very Enchanting

Link Love: T-Shirt Transformations

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I’ve been smitten with t-shirt crafting for quite a while now. In fact, I made an eBook of t-shirt sewing tutorials for AllFreeSewing last year (you can download it for free here, if you’re interested)! Here are some other great ideas for upcycling old t-shirts:

  1. Refashioned Tee Bolero from Positively Splendid
  2. Bow Shirt from Grey Luster Girl
  3. Shirred T-Shirt Dress from A Lemon Squeezy Home
  4. Cowl Neck Tee from Sweet Verbena
  5. J. Crew Inspired Ruffle Shirt from Pink Lemonade
  6. Fringe-y Top from Blue Eyed Freckle
  7. Ruffles and Buttons from Busily Spinning Momma
  8. Two Shirt Refashion from Inspiration & Realization
  9. J. Crew-y Ruffle Dress 2.0 from Kojo Designs

Technology and the Crafter

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Clearly, the constantly growing technological advances of society shape our entire world.  Isn’t it fun to think about how much technology has changed the world of crafting as well?

The wealth of resources out there now are pretty amazing; you can find answers to just about any kind of crafting question imaginable.  Thanks to social networks, blogs, and forums, crafters can share tips, project ideas, and patterns with each other in literal seconds.  What online crafting networks are you involved in?  For those of you who knit and/or crochet, I’m sure you’ve check out Ravelry before, but I have to give it a shout out as a great social networking site for a specific craft niche.  Another one of my favorite sites is Craftster.org because of its easy to navigate forums, helpful information, and cool shop with some really funny crafty t-shirts like this “Sew in Love” shirt or the “Handmade is Better” tee.

Another big advancement has been the creation of Etsy (we <3 Etsy, if you haven’t noticed!) otherwise known as the Ebay of the crafting world.  It’s true, Etsy has offered both professional and just-for-fun crafters the opportunity to sell their products to the masses with an easy and afforable platform.  While craft fairs are still awesome (and constantly getting bigger and better in most urban settings!), the average crafter doesn’t have to wait anymore to share their goods with the world.  There’s other sites, like Etsy, popping up constantly.  One of my favorites for handmade clothes and accessories is Smashing Darling.  Check it out — it’s great for finding unique gifts!

And lastly, I’ve got to give it up for new gadgets — who doesn’t love gadgets?!  There’s a few that have been on just about everyone’s wish list this season — too many for me to even get into.  But I have a couple favorites for this year, to help with all my scrapbooking needs.  The Slice, created by Making Memories, is being dubbed the “iPod of the Crafting world” by many.  It’s portable and you can do it all with just a touch of a button — select a design to cut, select the size, and let it do its thing!  My other new fave is the Crop-a-dile II, and not just because it has such a cute name.  Made by We R Memory Keepers, the Crop-a-dile is a not-so-average hole punch that you can adjust for punching holes of all sizes and easily place metal grommets, eyelets, snaps, and other embellishments just about anywhere on your scrapbooking project.  It makes everything look so easy — what will they think of next?

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