Tutorial: 

Flower Flip Flops

The Inspiration

Spring time is just around the corner and that means I've been buying pieces for my Spring/Summer wardrobe.  I can't make it through the sunny days without sandals, so I've been doing a lot of browsing around in stores and online. One thing I'm finding everywhere are flowered sandals. J. Crew has a cute flip flop style for $24.50 and Calvin Klein sells theirs for $48.00. I always say things like, "I can make this and that myself"; this time it's so easy, I actually will.


Materials

Fabric
Scissors
Needle and Thread
Pair of Flip Flops


Step 1:

Cut out 6 circles about 3 inches in diameter. I can't freehand my circles very well so I made myself a template.

 

Step 2:

Thread your needle with matching tread and make a knot at the end. Set that aside.

Step 3:

Take one of the fabric circles and fold it in half twice.

 

Step 4: 

Take your needle and weave through the raw edge with a regular running stitch, making sure to catch all the fabric layers. 

Pull the thread tightly to gather the fabric, then do the same with the remaining 5 circles.

 

Step 5:

After you're done with the last circle, pull the thread tightly and secure it with a couple stitches and a knot. 

This is what your flower should look like:

Step 6:

 This step is optional, but sometimes I like to add buttons or beads to the middle of the flower. I just tacked this button down using the needle and thread.

Step 7:

Take the flower and attach it to your flip flop. I used a needle and thread to tack it down. You can also glue your flowers down using a hot glue gun, however it is likely that the flowers will come off if you plan on having some fun in the sun, which I most definitely am.

 
 Final result:

Good luck, have fun, & enjoy!

xoxo,

Elizabeth Moreno

Tutorial:

Envelope Clutch


The Inspiration:

The tutorial of this envelope clutch came from the vast amount of bohemian inspired bags that are currently available in the market. All bags above are from Urban Outfitters and are here just in time for Spring fashion. So why not add a boho inspired clutch to the mix.

Here it goes:

What you'll need:

1. 1/3 yd of vinyl (exterior of bag)
2. 1/3 yd of felt (interior of bag helps give it support)
3. Roughly 4 1/2 yds of suede string or ribbon 
4. Scissors
5. eyelet punch or any object like a needle that can puncture
6. pen/sharpy
7. Ruler

Step 1:

Draw directly on the back of the vinyl two 6 x 11 inch boxes adjacent to one another like in the photo. Where the two boxes meet will be your fold line for the body of the clutch. If the back is a darker color draw on paper to create a pattern to transfer to the vinyl.

Step 2:

Add a 2" extension to one end of the boxes and shape as desired. This extension will become the flap that closes the clutch. I chose to do a point.

Step 3:

Cut out the piece and use it as a pattern to cut an exact piece in the felt as pictured above.

Step 4:

With a ruler mark dots a 1/2" apart 1/2" from the edge around the entire piece except at the fold line like the image above.

Step 5:

Using the eyelet punch poke holes where markings were made around the edge.

 

The final result should look like the picture above. Note how there is no hole on the fold line. The holes on either side of it is 1/2" from the fold line.

Step 6:

Lay the vinyl over the felt and use a pen to transfer the markings of the holes onto the felt. Use the eyelet puncher again to poke out the holes in the felt.

Tip: My eyelet puncher was dull but if yours isn't you could use spray adhesive to adhere the vinyl and felt together and punch both layers at the same time!

Step 7:

Place the felt over the vinyl with wrong sides together so the right sides are facing out. Fold both layers on the fold line with vinyl side out. Use the suede rope to secure the edges of the clutch using the pre-punched holes starting at the base of one side.  I used a blanket stitch method but a regular whip stitch can be used as well. Below is a link to a video on youtube on how to do a blanket stitch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXkSE2TTF4s

Step 8:

Go around the entire edge of the clutch and finish at the base of the bag on the other side and knot it. Finish the inside of the bag as well once the outer edge is complete.

The Finish Product:

The final product is boho inspired envelope clutch for a casual day out. Experiment and change the size, flap shape, edge finish, and so forth. If you are feeling adventurous you could even try adding pockets to the inside of the felt layer.

 

Good luck, have fun, & enjoy!

xoxo,

Linh M. Nguyen

Tutorial: 

Button Jewelry

The Inspiration:

John Lewis Button Necklaces that runs for over $20. 

Why spend so much money on something that you probably have a ton of somewhere in your home?  It's so easy and fun to make, and it will take you less than an hour to make something like this.  You could also be creative and play with many different shapes, colors, and types of buttons to make all sorts of jewelry- not just necklaces!  For earrings, you just need an earring hook.  I decided that I wanted a necklace, and I had a tin full of random buttons.  So now it's time to put it to good use!

Materials:

Buttons!

Metal jump rings (you can find them at most craft stores for really cheap- I got mine at Joann's for $1- they're normally $1.99 but I used a coupon that Joann's always mail out.  You can also ask them for coupons at the register!)

Metal jewelry fasteners

Mini pliers

Step 1:

Choose the buttons you will be using and arrange them in whatever way you want them to look.  Make sure you have enough for the desired length.

Step 2:

Take a metal jump ring and slightly bend it to create an opening using your pliers.

Step 3:

Slide it through one of the button holes and close the opening with the pliers.  From this point on, you can create any combinations of buttons and jump rings as you like.  I linked another jump ring to the first one and then slid it through a hole of another button.  

Step 4:

I repeated this pattern throughout.  Keep testing out the length of your jewelry.  If you want a bracelet, stop at a shorter length and wrap it around your wrist to make sure it fits.  If you're making a necklace like me, keep going!  

Step 5:

The finished length of my necklace.

Step 6:

I added a chain of jump rings at each end.  You can also buy a chain or use the chain from an old necklace that you don't wear anymore.

Step 7:

Add the chain of jump rings at both ends.

Step 8:

Add a metal fastener to one end.

Final Result:

I can style my necklace by layering it with our necklaces of different lengths, or I can keep it simple like this with just one strand.  Button jewelries can give a quirky edge to any outfit!

Good luck, have fun, & enjoy!

xoxo,

Tiffany Ly