How to Refashion Denim Shorts

I refashioned these shorts last fall, But short season is back! I loved doing his denim shorts refashion because it was easy and affordable. I love that 80's style splatter paint look right now! This is my twist on the dip dyed shorts mixed with splatter paint.
I hope you enjoy this easy DIY tutorial for a pair of white denim shorts with neon splatter paint on the hem. If you have any questions just ask. After all I spend my days and nights hoping someone is reading my tutorials.

This is an EASY Step by step Tutorial 
This is a step by step tutorial that will teach you how to refashion jean shorts into white and pink splatter painted shorts. I used girls size shorts but this tutorial will work for any size shorts. I used pink for my splatter painted hem but I think any color will look perfect. 

Before and After

 I think you could get away with out using the textile medium, but I love it. It is very affordable on Amazon.com. It makes your acrylic paint into fabric paint.(so that one purchase makes your whole paint stash turns into fabric paint!) All you have to do is mix some of the textile medium into your paint and your good to go. Using the textile medium will make the paint softer and more durable when you wash it. 

When you are finished your shorts should look something like this! If you do make a pair please let me  show them off! Send me a picture I will publish it for you. 

A while back someone donated a big bag of very used girls clothes to me. I always love a donation! For this project I pulled some jean shorts from that bag. They had good fabric and bad stains. I knew they would be the perfect pair to fix up and donate to someone's little girl.

(Please email me if you need a project donated to your little one)

Lets get started with this tutorial!

Steps 1-4(above)

1. Get Denim shorts

2. Add bleach and water to a sink 

3. Soak and watch until they reach the color you want

4. Wash and Dry 

 *Tip After you remove your shorts out of the bleach and water mix they will continue to become lighter and lighter until they are rinsed clean of all the bleach. Just like cupcakes keep on cooking until cool
Step 5
After your shorts are dry put cardboard between the legs, This will prevent any paint from seeping through. Also use tape and plastic to protect any part of the shorts that you do not want getting splatter painted.

Step 6

Mix your paint. 

• Jar 1, mix the textile medium with the pink. (fallow the directions on the bottle)
• Jar 2, mix the textile medium with the White
• Jar 3, mix some of the pink and white(after the medium is added) together to make a lighter pink color.

*Tip I made a little diagram about mixing the paint for those of you who are more visual learners.

Step 7
Paint your shorts

• 1st paint the dark pink along the hem on the front and back of the shorts. Leave it imperfect.
• 2nd Splatter paint with the light pink over the first(dark) layer of paint.
• 3ed Splatter with the white paint over the first 2 layers of paint. 

*Tip To get the splatter look use your paint brush to flick and drizzle paint.

After the splatters dry you remove the plastic. You can then add some other details if you want. I painted the coin pocket and the button detail in solid pink. Let it dry according to the textile medium directions. Then wash and dry.

Add some paint details

I love how this refashion worked out!  I hope you got some inspiration out of this post. If you did head over to https://www.facebook.com/LifeontheDivide and let me know what youthink

Thank you 

Here you have all of the steps in one picture !

Preview of My Kate Spade Knock Off

On May 14th, the day before my birthday( I am not sure how old I am with out doing a little math; but its over 30 for sure) one of my new most favoritest blogs Rain On a Tin Roof is having a Kate Spade Summer Soiree. Sounds so amazing right? This is a preview of what I will be contributing to the Summer Soiree. A little shoe refash I whipped up this week.

So what is a Kate Spade Summer Soiree, you ask? Well its more like a blog link up party with a Kate Spade theme.  
Shown below is my inspiration for the project that I will be linking up on May 14th, if I am not to busy calculating my age. I plan on giving you a full tutorial as always in on that day, but I thought you might love a quick look.
I bet right now you are thinking, OMG! I have to enter this Kate Spade inspired link up party. Then just head on over to Rain on a Tin Roof, one of the five blogs that is hosting this multi blog link up party.(yes you saw that right 5!)There you can find out all of the who, what, where, when and why of this link up party. I hope to see you there!

Thanks for looking at this preview of my Kate Spade inspired shoe refashion, The whole step by step shoe refashion tutorial will be up on my blog May 14th. The day before I turn older than 30. I hope you will come back to see that tutorial and maybe even give it a try.

Let me know what you think. I LOVE your comments! They make me feel like an important person :)

How to Refashion a Night Gown into PJ's

How to Make This  Tank and Shorts Set From a Night Gown

Want to make this cute little PJ set?  Sure you do, because it it super easy and I am going to show you how.  Step by step with huge photos.  SO you hardly have to do anything, just scroll down this little blog page, look at the pretty pictures(well the color is actually really bad) and absorb all the info into your huge crafter brain.  Then grab an old OR thrifted night gown and CHOP IT UP!

So I made it out of a cute little night gown I got at the Goodwill.  I was excited at first when I found it because it was new and very soft.  The brand is "simply vera vera wang".   So I thought it was some expensive brand. I swooped it up for a few bucks not sure what I was going to do with it.  Now since I felt like a Kardashian, owning some Vera and all, I looked it up on line to see where this little number came from.  Well friends let me tell you, Khols was not what I was expecting.

Moving on from that embarrassing moment...  I am not really a night gown gal.  However I am TOTALLY a tank and short set gal.  So I figured why not fix it up so it is more my style? I know that is what Vera would have wanted.

Ok lets get started.

Step 1 Get your Supplies 
The first thing you need to do is get your supplies toghter and it is likely that you have them all at home right now... so what are you waiting for?  Oh yeah, the directions.
You will need a
1) Nightey
2) Waist band from old yoga pants
3) Basic sewing supplies
*TIP The fabric that I used on this project did not need to be "finished" to keep from unraveling and/or fraying.  I used a cotton with a little spandex(T-shirt type fabric).   My tutorial is for this type of fabric.  If you want to work with something else then you will need to finish the edges in a different way than I did as well as leaving a seam allowance to hem the bottom of the tank
Step 2 Measure

The way that I like to measure this type of project is very easy and it works on all types of sewing and refashioning projects.  This is another example of how I used this same way to measure a refashion. Since I want to make this gown into a tank top and short set, I used a tank top and pair of shorts I own that fit in a way that I like.

To take the measurements place the top and bottom(that fit) on top of the gown. Another example

Step 3 Pin and Chalk
With your sewing pins and chalk mark in between your top and shorts where you want to make your cut

Step 4 Make your cut
Cut along the chalk line(its hard to see in this photo)

After you make the cut you will have a "top" piece and a "bottom" piece that looks like a skirt.  I am leaving my top as is(with out hemming it); so the top is done!  Now I only need to make the bottom portion into shorts rather than a scarp of fabric.

Step 6 Get a new waist band
I used a waist band of some old yoga pants.  So I just chopped the waist band of the old yoga pants. Make sure to save the pants for a future refashion.

Step 7 Pin and Stitch
Pin the new waist band, to the bottom portion of the gown.  (The part that dose not look like a tank top)  The bottom piece was(and should be) much wider then the new waist band so I pinned folds into it that will give a slight gathered or pleated look.

I wanted to leave raw edges on the waist band because I love that look and how that fabric will curl up when left this way.  To do this I pinned the gown fabric on top of the waist band fabric, right sides down.

You could fold it under to give a clean finished look, if you like that look more.

After its all pined then stitch with a zig-zag stitch with your machine or by hand if you must,(YUCK)

This is how it will look after the waistband is stitched to the bottom section of the gown. To give the raw edges that "curled" look, just pull on the fabric to stretch it for a few seconds and it will curl under on its own. I did not stitch too close to the edge so that some of the fabric will curl under.  If I would have stitched right along the bottom then stitching would be viable and not curl up like it did.

Step 8 Make Shorts
Ok this is how you make the skirt into shorts.  Fold the skirt in half and make a cut down the center.  I had a section of silk fabric and decided to make my short legs as long as the silk.  You will have to do what is best for your size. Then unfold and you will have a skirt with a slit down the center.

Then pin and stitch the legs shut to create the shorts.

TA-DA! this is how mine looked.  I just LOVE how they turned out!  I folded the yoga waist band down, but it can be worn up as well.

*NOTE You can see where I pressed the fabric before I stitched it and how that created slight pleats in my new shorts.  It also made the fabric color look funny, but that will go away after I wash the shorts.

The whole set is so cute.  I am very happy with how this refashion worked out,  I have already worn it a few times.

So are you going to try and make this? let me know if you do I would love to see pictures of how your night night set worked out.  Thank you so much for looking at my Refashion today.  I would love to know what you think.

Polka Dot Shoe Refashion

How to Refashion Your Shoes into Bright Polka Dot Shoes

One day when I was being super productive researching important things on Pintrest, I came across this shoe , it was pinned by Amy Anderson of Mof Podge Rocks(She always has the best pins!) I loved the pair and looked into buying them.  The shoe is made by Poetic Licence and they make a bunch of cute shoes, however this one was sold out. When I saw the price on the other ones and took into consideration that I don't have a job and have a new baby and a bad back... I thought maybe I should try and make them!  So I did and I am going to show you how did it, so you can make them too!  Ok then lets get started!


This is the picture that I pinned

I got pretty close with this one

Before and after, I am so proud of this..can you tell?

Ok lets get going with the tutorial

What you need
Shoe with a strap
spray paint
spray primer
acrylic paint
lacquer sealer(gloss)
Round sponge brushes
small paint brush
tape





Steps 1-3
The easy steps

1. Tape the shoes with painters tape making sure to cover any place you don't want to spray paint.


2. Spray with primer.


3. Paint.  I did 3 very thin coats(Thin coats help prevent drips)

*Tip- Primer is not always unnecessary but it helps the paint to stick better, look better last longer and  helps with drastic color changes. So you don't have to use it.  The thing is if you skip this step and find that it was needed you will have a long road of sanding and crying.  So to be on the safe side, take the extra time to prime your shoes.


Step 4
Paint the dots

Paint the big pink and white dots. I used these awesome things to do my dot painting with.  I had to order mine because we don't have a craft store for 45 miles.  I ordered a mixed pack and I was so impressed with them, I don't think I will go back to using the black ones for painting.  A round stamp or something like that might also work. Just be sure to dip it in the paint then a practice stamp on paper to get rid of the excess, then on the shoe.


*Tip- If any of your spots turn out like this(see photo below)Touch them up with a paint brush.

Step 5
Hand paint the little dots on the strap

I think the little dots are my favorite part

The inspiration had cute little dots on the strap.  I used a small paint brush and dipped it in white paint then right on to the shoe(no getting rid of the excess on paper)


Step 6(I know this tutorial has a lot more steps than my usual easy tutorials, but were almost done)
Paint with a clear coat of Mod Podge, I used a gloss to make the shoes nice and shiny!
This helps to seal the acrylic paint onto the spay paint so it want chip off as well as giving a gloss to the finish

                                                 JUST LOOK AT THAT SHINE!

ONE LAST STEP!
Ok I thought I done and went in to my yard taking a bunch of photos, excited to type up my post.  When I up loaded the pictures and looked at them I though what is that uuugly button?


Last step, step 7
Attach a button
I chose a button from my stash that looked most like the inspiration picture.  I just cut of the old button and hot glued the new one down.  Depending on what your shoe looks like, you may have to get a little creative on how to attach it.

Well friends that is it!  Its pretty simple to fallow the steps.  You just need to talk you time with the painting.  Making sure you don't over load your brush because that will deform your dots.  You want to use a nice spray paint like I did to help prevent any drips. I really hope you enjoyed this tutorial and if you have any questions please ask!

It was such a nice day that I got carried away with my photos

Well friends thank you for looking

Kasey

How to paint suede shoes, an easy shoe Refashion

How to paint suede shoes, an easy shoe Refashion

Shoe refashion

Well...this is my before and after photo, they look even worse than I remember! These Sued flats were in serious need of a shoe redo!  A little fun fact about me, shoes was my first word.  So as you can imagine these old nine west's needed a face lift!  

I had some suede leather shoes and suede is fun to paint!

Step 1
Paint the shoes, let dry (fabric, acrylic or spray paint will all work, test a section on your specific fabric)
*Tip When painting suede, I have learned that it works best if you use a small amount of paint and work it into the leather.  Instead of "on top" of the leather.
Step 2
Add shine with Gloss Mod Podge to the trim and let that dry.

 I painted the shoes then after they dry I added a thick layer of Mod Podge

TA-DASo what do you think of my easy peasy how to paint refashion?

This is a nice simple easy shoe refashion.  I like it... I wanted to LOVE it

You could stop here and be done. I seriously considered it. So you can do that if you want, but I wanted to show you how with a few more easy steps you can take this easy shoe redo one step further.  

Ready? Alright part two of the easy shoe refashion

Step 3
Make an embeliment for your updated shoes.
I think the picture shows how best but I will try and describe how to make the easy shoe embellishment.

Use a long head pin, load it up with ribbon. (I used this double ruffled ribbon) When you work your way half way through, loading the headpin(in a sewing fashion) add a button.  Then continue to load the ribbon on to the head pin.

When your all done cut the Ribbon. form a circle out of your ribbon, fold the wire as shown in the photo and attach to the shoe as shown in the photo!

And your done! TA-DA then you have a pair of flats that can be worn two different ways.

This is how the flats will look with the embellishment attached, but if you want to go more simple...

Then you can just pull of the ribbon!Go simple. So this is like two new shoes in one!

So what do you think? I love this refashion, I think it worked out so good! Even my boyfriend liked them, well he didn't say that.  I could tell because he usually says "that looks good too" or "both ways are fine, I don't CARE!" when I ask him about my refashions.  But when he saw these (I didn't even ask) But today he asked, "How did you paint those?" "Is that going to be your post today?" "I never even knew that they made fabric paint!"

So if baby daddy is excited about the refashion, then well you should be too.  ;)  I hope you enjoyed this little tutorial about how to paint suede shoes and refashion them into something fabulous.

Please let me know your thought.

Kasey

A fix for small shirt sleeves

Day 3

This is probably the fastest refashion I have ever done.  I guess it is more of a update than a refashion.  Some how all these easy refashions make me feel like I am not realy trying. Like since my refashions are no -sew then they don't count.  I am luck that this one was fast and easy because I had to battle with my computer all day.  I finely just deleted firefox and moved to Google Chrome, so far so good.  Firefox was getting worse and worse overtime I updated it.

Ok moving on to my refashion.

I bought this shirt on 99cent day at The Salvation Army. I got it because love this color, I am so glad its back "on"!

Love the color

 However the sleeves on this shirt are way to small for me.  See how they dig in and are very unflatering!

Uncomfy to say the least

So I just hacked the sleeves off!

Now I have a halter top for the summer time

I did not leave enough extra to sew the edge and this type of fabric will frey.  So I went for my very fave...stitch witchery.  To fix up the arm holes.

So what do you think?  I like it, I just don't know.  I think it still needs a little something.  I feel a little to "mom" in this, well see.  Maybe with the vest I will feel good!


Ok I am linking this up to a few partys!
http://simplydesigning.blogspot.com/

Easy Chevron Cuff Bracelet, How To

 Easy Chevron Cuff Bracelet, how to make one quick! Step by step  tutorial

I had this fabulous jacket laying around. What do you think?  It was a gift back in...a long time ago

This was actually from wet Seal

 I did not want the leather to wind up in a landfill so I have dectied to refashion it!  I want to make as much as I can out of this jacket.  Today's refashion is how to make an easy chevron ombre cuff  bracelet.  I cut it up!

            I always like to show a quick Before and After before I get to the tutorial

Step 1
I cut it up!
Seriously be as careful as you can, you want to save as much of the leather as you can. You never know what you can make with a little scrap.

Photos 1-4 ,  my deconstructing this old Wet Seal jacket that will so be a Ombre Chevron cuff Bracelet for your wardrobe

Step 2
find the best piece for you to work with.  This all depends on your preference in cuff bracelet size

If you are a visual learner then you will see from this collage that I found a section of leather and trimmed it off 

If you prefer to read
I will walk you thorugh the photos above
1, I found a pocket
2. Opened it up and saw that the inside trim was perfect sizes and shape for my soon to be chevron cuff bracelet
3. tried the leather piece away very carefully.
4.The I had a nice piece of leather to work with, that was once the inside of a jacket.


Step3
This is how I got it into the shape needed and added a backing

visual learners have you way with my photos

Steps to adding the backing
1. Cut the strip of leather as straight as you can, leave it a bit larger than you would like(leather shrinks with heat, we will be using heat, I am a LAZY crafter)
2. Cut some fabric that will be your lining(I used part of some linen pants I cut up years ago)
3. Now make a sandwich.  Leather, Iron on fusing, top it of with your lining.
not shown in the photos next you will iron it all together according to the directions on you fusing(or stitch witchery).
4. then trim it all up, making it pretty!

Step 4
Now add the chevrons with tape (I suggest painters tap,I was out...donations are welcome)

Tip: Make a guide line down the center, this will help keep the tape centered.  You can do this by making a slight indention 

How to add the tape
1. Make a right angle with two pieces of tape
2.Line up all your right angle to make things easier
3.place them all down very carefully, stay as lined up and centered as you can(do not press them        down to firm yet)
4. Now remove every other piece of tape, like in photo 4.  Then pres the remaining tape down very well, paying extra attention to the edges.  This way your paint will not leak under the tape and ruin your whole project leading you to cry.

Step 5
How to add the paint.

Tip: add the pain in an up and down tapping motion. This will help paint leaking under the tap, leading to crying.(photo1)

 Steps to add the paint
This is the part in the process that you need to use your own creativity.  I will describe how I added the paint.
1. Add a strip of the dark color, it is best to use a up and down tapping motion.
  1.1 Next mix some white and paint a middle line of with the same up and down tapping motion.
  1.2 Lats use the white and add very little of the darker color, make a third line. of the lightest color.
2. Photo two is how mine looked.  You may choose to use more or less paint depending on how dark you want it to be.  Less paint will make a less dramatic effect.
3. After letting the pain soak into the leather for a few moments.  Then use a dry sponge to absorb the extra paint.
4. After letting that paint dry a touch more, VERY carefully remove the tape.

Step 6
Finish it up!

Let it dry over night

This is how I finished mine up, I left mine kinda long so I could use it on my wrist or ankle!

1. this is how mine looked in the morning when I got up.
2. You have a lot of options on how to finish the bracelet, I have shown a few in photo 2
3. I chose to fold a leather strip under each side and then sew it down
4. TA-Da, that is how mine turned out! What do you think?

So what do you think of my bracelet? I hope you like it and will give it a try. Please leave a comment letting me know your thoughts.  If you have any questions please email me and I will do my best to help you out.

This tutorial was featured over at

Linked up at

                           http://simplydesigning.blogspot.com/

http://whipperberry.com/2012/06/friday-flair-link-party-23.html