the ReFab Diaries

I love vintage leather coats and jackets, but they aren't all wearable. So how do you upcycle a leather jacket that's too wrecked to wear? 

When I stumbled upon this fantastic coat refab by Luz (of Luz Patterns) I couldn't wait to share it! Then I had irritating internet issues that shut me down for a bit. But I'm back and here it is. I've seen old leather upcycles before (old round up here) ... but nothing this beautifully crafted. And she shows her makeover in detail.

Thanks to Luz for permission to share!  (PS: She's a crochet, sewing and DIY whiz so enjoy the blog)

I spotted this idea on Pinterest about a year ago and left a comment asking for a tutorial. Guess what? One popped up!  Care of Sheri at Awesome Sauce & Ass Hattery. 



There are so many beautiful, vintage tea towels, placemats etc out there.  I love the idea of using them to personalize a bland t-shirt. Thanks Sheri.  Click through for the complete tutorial. 

If you spend any time on Craftgawker, you've seen Anna's creations. But this men's jacket refab is a standout for me. Complete tutorial here

I seem to be living in perpetual winter. I had a 5 week break in sunny South Africa and still feel like it's been winter forever. Because it snowed today. Today is 25 March. I want to cry ... and hack up all my winter clothes. But that would be bad and wasteful. But just in case I can't help myself, here are lots of cool things I could do with those hacked up sweaters:

I love old leather satchels. But old brown pleather? Not so much. So hooray for spray paint! Wrapped Up in Rainbows turned this drab old thing into something I LOVE. Actually, it's similar to something I already own. So I'm predictable ... but can one really have too many turquoise / teal satchel-like thingies?  Full DIY.

I love repurposing projects that literally involve re-envisioning. The ability to look past the thing into the crystal ball of its potential. Or something. You know what I mean? If you're Natalie at My Little Secrets, that means somehow "seeing" a sheer crop top in a pair of pantyhose. I think I have a few too many .... um... "curves" to pull off this kind of hugging, sheer thing (I cut up old pantyhose into hairbands). But, it's a no-sew, creative-problem-solving wonder and I'm guessing a few of you will have some fun with it.

Complete DIY here. 

Talk about refashioned refashions! The thrifted yellow top was turned into a tank. The black dress went from long-sleeved to short but "needed an update".  Then both were turned into a dress. Go Hulibug! 

I've decided that Elsie Larson is the inspiration behind "The New Girl" ... every time I visit her lovely blog (A Beautiful Mess) I think of Jess.  Go take a look .... tell me I'm wrong.  And while you're there, learn how to put a spring in your step!

My good friend Lisa (of Poldapop Designs) recently found herself facing a NY's eve date with her hubby, minus the "great new dress" she'd planned to conjure for herself.  Two little girls, the holidays, a small business to run .... and stomach flu (!) had all contributed to this fix.  So what did she do?  She refashioned a dress that had been collecting dust in her closet for years!  Here's the before and after:



Awesome right?  I've "reconstructed" a number of things in my closet over the years ... recently making a Target sweater a little more "Anthropologie" by removing an elasticized hem and adding a big button! You do NOT need to have mad sewing skills to pull this off.  You really don't.  So check out the great round up of projects (21 of them!) recently published at Crafting a Green World.

I LOVE this!  Two old t-shirts, a little bleach, a little embroidery thread (or "floss" in US english) and voila! 






Very eco-chic ... get the how-to from Joy Beadworks.