Crafts

Hot In The Hive: Professional Stud Setter

Alex Gambardella on Aug 11, 2009 6:20 AM PDT

Okay, I think it's officially time to call off that search for the perfect studded handbag. Now you can custom-make it yourself with this Professional Stud Setter! Portable and super-easy to use, this crafty tool allows you to attach your own grommets, studs, snaps, and other embellishments to your favorite clothes and accessories. It's the ultimate way to spice up your wardrobe and salvage boring old pieces that were once destined to end up at the thrift store. And at the reasonable price of $68, think of all the shoes, shirts, jackets, and bags you can bedazzle just the way you want them, without having to sift through all the heavily-blinged out merchandise on the sale rack that never perfectly suits your fancy. Now, if you see a girl on the street wearing seriously studded duds from head to toe in the next couple of days, it's not an overzealous wannabe biker chick... it's probably just me, taking a break from my fun new fashion toy.

Price: $68
Who Found It: xgalexy was the first to add the Professional Stud Setter to the Hive.

Tags : urban outfitters , style , studs , studded , crafts

How To Sew An Exposed Zipper

Alex Gambardella on Jul 16, 2009 7:20 AM PDT

Nicole Smith is an editor at CraftStylish, a site dedicated to fashionable how-tos and do-it-yourself crafts. Below she introduces a fun project in which you can embellish clothing yourself with exposed zippers.

Zippers have come a long way over the years; they're used in everything from garments and shoes to accessories and home decor. You may install a zipper simply to let you in and out of a garment, but why not make it stylish at the same time? In the Spring '09 issue of SewStylish, couture sewer Anna Mazur showed you how to insert zippers four ways. Here is one of the techniques inspired by many designers including Marni. When installing an exposed zipper, you can throw all the zipper-insertion rules out the window. Turn the seam allowances to the right side, topstitch the zipper over them to conceal the fabric edges, and let the zipper tape show on the outside of the garment. You can choose a matching or contrasting zipper for even more stand-out style. Click on over to the CraftStylish blog for the full step-by-step instructions... then get sewing!

Tags : zippers , zipper , sewstylish , sewing , crafts

Get To Know Fabric Designer Anna Maria Horner

Alex Gambardella on Jul 9, 2009 7:22 AM PDT

Nicole Smith is an editor at CraftStylish, a site dedicated to style-savvy do-it-yourself projects! Below, she introduces fabric designer and writer Anna Maria Horner.

In the current issue of SewStylish, we highlighted the many inspirations of the talented Anna Maria Horner. Here's a little more from that interview along with photos of her inspirations and new pattern line. We just love the amazing fabric designs from author Anna Maria, and now she has her own pattern line and book available, too. From her very first fabric collection for Free Spirit in 2006, to her current quilting and decor lines for Westminster, Anna Maria always has an original style full of inspiration.

For the full Q-and-A with Anna Maria, click on over to the CraftStylish blog!

Tags : textiles , textile designer , sewstylish , sewing , crafts

How To Sew Your Own Bib Necklace

Alex Gambardella on Jul 2, 2009 7:22 AM PDT

Nicole Smith is an editor at CraftStylish, a site dedicated to original do-it-yourself projects for home, fashion, wedding, and more. Below she shares how to sew your own bib necklace... and in turn, save yourself from a thousand-dollar debt at Neiman Marcus!

While looking at the inspirational catalog from Neiman Marcus today, I came across this necklace by Ranjana Khan. The necklace retails for $1,200, and is very similar to this project I made for less than $20, which I call the "Bijoux Necklace." My original inspiration for this project was a necklace by Burberry from their Fall '08 collections. Chunky jewels have been a runway staple the past few seasons, embellishing everything from shoes and headbands to hemlines and jewelry. Get the look quickly with organza (don't worry; it's easy to sew) and faux jewels. A ribbon makes the necklace adjustable for a chocker length or longer. You can also enlarge or reduce the size of the template to any dimensions you like. You'll need: 1/4 yard of organza, 3/4 yard of 5/8-inch-wide velvet ribbon, assorted sew-on jewels, scissors, a sewing machine, a hand-sewing needle, and thread. Get the full step-by-step instructions, along with the pattern's template, on CraftStylish!

Tags : sewn , sewing , sew , ranjana khan , crafts

How To Make An Argyle Fleece Throw

Alex Gambardella on Jun 25, 2009 7:19 AM PDT

Nicole Smith is an editor at CraftStylish, a site dedicated to fashionable-fun projects and stylish how-tos. Below she shares how to make your own argyle throw, perfect for cozying up in your dorm room or taking along to the beach!

This low-sew throw gives new meaning to the phrase "college sweater-ves." Preppy, yes, but the diamond-shaped pattern feels less stuffy in these vibrant colors. It's super-easy with light stitching, keeps you warm on winter nights, and makes the perfect picnic blanket! You'll Need: 2 1/8 yards (60"-wide) cream fleece, 2 1/8 yards (60"-wide) goldenrod fleece, 15 skeins of embroidery floss in cranberry, a large-eye embroidery needle, a water-soluble marker, paper and pencil, scissors, pins, and a yardstick. Get yourself equipped, then click on over to CraftStylish for the full step-by-step process, along with other fun crafts to keep you busy during the long days of summer!

Tags : throw , sewing , sew , fleece throw , crafts

Hot In The Hive: Rebound Designs Book Bags

Alex Gambardella on Jun 18, 2009 6:18 AM PDT

Attention all bookworms and bag snobs! Despite the well-known cliche, we've all judged a book by its cover. We haven't all, however, ripped that cover off of its book and turned it into a super cool handmade handbag! Rebound Designs does just that, recycling old or damaged hardcover books and transforming some of your favorite new and classic titles into cute, fully-functional and collapsible totes. From Little Women to Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, you can browse by title or just pick your favorite color and design combo -- you can even contact the creators to donate your own used book for a fully-customized creation! It would still be super-dorky of you, but I think this is a much wiser way to wear your Twilight fandom on your arm than that tattoo you were considering...

Price: about $130 and up, depending on the design
Who Found It: xgalexy was the first to add Book Bags to the Hive.

Tags : twilight , recycled , rebound designs , purses , crafts