Inspired: Adding ribbon bows to your rainboots

This post is just another piece of evidence showing that I am incapable of leaving my stuff the way I bought it. Yes, I admit it, I'm totally addicted to refashioning. But what can you do, when you see these adorable rainboots on Pinterest:

Could you help yourself? I didn't think so. And, they come with a tutorial, so you can make your own. I actually didn't look at the tutorial until after I made mine since these were easy to replicate from the picture, but if you'd like some guidelines, be sure to check it out. Also, I didn't cut the back of the boots open like it says in the tutorial since my boots fit me as are. But, it's a great tip for those of you who have trouble squeezing your curvy calves into boots.

I adore my new rainboots! And, they were only 7€. Got to love a bargain like that! I got them ready just in time for the stormy season around here. I've already taken them out to splash in the puddles, and got some compliments. Thanks to Christy for the inspiration!

Autumn and dreams

It seems that with the new season I've also entered into a new phase of dreaming. With endings there is always room for new beginnings. And new beginnings always awaken the dreamer in me. There are so many possibilities and it seems that almost everything and anything is possible. It's an exhilarating and frightening feeling at the same time. With choices comes a lot of freedom, but also a lot of responsibility. And it makes you wonder wether you're going to make the right decisions. 

It's my final year in my current school. I can't believe the end is so near! This means that I have to look for another school that will help me nourish and build my dream of becoming a singer. I have my heart set on a school in Germany, so I'm working on finding a teacher and passing the language test. I want to get in so badly! I just feel that it's the right place for me.  

Applying for a school in Germany means a lot of travel, which means a lot of money spent of airfares and hostels. I've opened up my Etsy shop again in the hopes that it will help to fund my efforts of getting into my dream school. So, if you know somebody who'd love to get a cute knitted headband for Christmas... (hint hint ;))

DIY Zippered cushion covers

I've been in a major nesting phase for the past couple of months since my new roommate moved in and I moved to another bedroom. But, since we live in a rental, and are poor singing students, big interior design changes are out of the questions. And, not really necessary since I really love our apartment. Still, I've been meaning to add more personal touches to the apartment since moving in. I already posted about my mirror makeover a while back. Now it was time to move on to the living room.
We have a super comfy couch, but with the beige color of it and the white color of the walls, there simply not enough color. And I need color! So, I decided to switch the cushion covers on the couch pillows. Eventually I want to change all of them, but I started with the smaller ones. This is such an easy way to add a pop of color, so if you'd like to copy, read the process below.

I first started with removing the original cushion covers that the couch came with. Now, you could leave the original pillows as are, and simply add more pillows to your couch, but since we had already enough of them, I thought I'd change the covers instead.

The only tricky part of the process is installing the zipper, and you can omit that part, if that intimidates you and simply leave an opening where the zipper should be to insert your pillow, and finally hand sew or machine sew the opening shut.
1. Start with measuring your pillow (usually the measures are given with the pillow in the store), or use the original cover as a template for the new ones. Cut 2 squares of fabric per pillow using those measurements. Don't forget to add seam allowances. I added 1.5 cm on all edges.
2. Iron down the seam allowance on the side where you'll be installing the zipper. This will ease the installation process.
3. Before installing the zipper sew the zipper side seam from both sides of the zipper, leaving an opening the length of the zipper. Install the zipper (process in more detail below).
4. Sew the sides together. Leave your zipper open to ease the turning of the cover. Turn your cover inside out and push the corners out.

I use this method of zipper installation pretty often. I think it's rather easy and quick.
1. Once you've sewn the sides of the zipper and left an opening for it, pin it to the fabric so that the zipper teeth are exactly in the center of the opening.
2. To ease the sewing you can baste the zipper to the fabric. Since I've done it several times before, I needed just the pins to hold the zipper in place.
3. sew the zipper in place from the right side of the fabric, making sure that the turned edge is at the center of the zipper teeth.

I'm so happy with our new colorful cushions. They're super fun! Just the pop of color the couch needed!

Simple shoe restyle

This post is just another example of the fact that I have to make over, refashion, or restyle every single thing I own. It's a serious medical condition, but fortunately it almost always results in something pretty, so I'm not really complaining (yet).

Adding custom shoelaces is the most simple restyle, and it's a great way to add some personality to your shoes. Aren't my shoes cute with the new coral ribbon laces? Ribbons and lace, that's what I love. You can find the tutorial for making your own custom shoelaces right here. Have fun restyling!

Refashionista: Adding ribbon straps to a strapless dress

As much as I love strapless dresses, they are a bit hard to wear. First, there's the comfort issue. We all now they tend to slide down if they don't have proper boning in them. Second, a strapless dress might be a little overdressed to wear every day. But, as I have very few parties to attend to, it would be a total waste to let this gorgeous dress just sit in the closet for the rest of the time. So, I came up with the idea of adding ribbon straps.

I must confess that these didn't turn out super comfortable, mainly because the center ribbon was a bit too wide and I need to experiment more on the angles of the ribbons, and maybe they need to cover each other more in the front. But, I love love love the back of this dress now. I mean, it makes me want to walk backwards.

If you like it too, and would like to give this ribbon strap thing a go, here's how I did it:

1. I started pinning the ribbons to the dress on the dress form. If you don't have one, don't worry, this can also be done without a dress form, you'll just need to pin the ribbons in the back, then put the dress on, and adjust the fit and length of the ribbons in the front.
2. Once I was happy with the position of my ribbons, I marked a line on the ribbons along the edge of the dress, so I'd know how to place them when I started sewing.
3. Before sewing the ribbons to the dress, I sewed the front part of the ribbons together so that the outer ribbons were slightly covering the middle ribbon. This helps to keep the ribbons in place when moving your arms.
4. Finally, sew the ribbons to the dress, and you're done!

I'm loving my revamped dress! It's so much more comfortable this way since I don't have to worry about any boob showing accidents (lol). 

DIY Gold striped mirror

Being a student on budget, and living in a rental apartment, you have to be creative with your interior design projects. After moving from a bedroom with a closet with mirror doors into my sewing room with no mirrors, I was in a dire need of a mirror. A girl cannot exist without a mirror. That's just common sense. Luckily my Grandma had a mirror stashed in her attic that she wasn't using, so she gave it to me. But, looking at that red colored frame I knew I had make it over.

The frame was in good condition - I only had to do minor touch ups here and there. I wanted to keep the color palette neutral since I already have an array of different colored wood furniture in that room. Yet, plain white would have been just too boring, so I went with a little golden accent.

If you'd like to try and make your own gold striped mirror, here's how:
Prep work: Since the frame had already been painted it didn't need sanding, but if your frame has not been previously painted, you need to sand it to prep for paint. The second step is applying painters tape all around the inside of the frame to protect the mirror from paint.
1. Once you're finished with the prep work, it's time to paint the frame. I did 3 coats of paint, giving enough drying time in between layers.
2. Now that your frame has been painted, it's time to prep for the stripes. Use a ruler and a pencil to mark your stripes on the frame, then cover the rest of the frame with newspapers and painters tape, leaving only the stripes open.
3. Start painting the stripes. I used golden spray paint. It's so easy to use and quick to dry. I did 2 coats of paint on the stripes.
4. Once all the stripes are done, leave tit to dry for 24h, then remove all the painters tape and covers. It's like opening up a present on Christmas day :).

Have fun painting!

Refashionista: Sweater makeover with dye

Most times, the quickest way to transform a garment, is to just dip it in dye. Once you've tried it a couple of times and mastered the little tricks of dyeing, it's so easy to give a piece of clothing a completely new look with a pack of dye.

I got this sweater from a friend of a friend who wanted to get rid of some of her old clothing. I loved the quirky cut of the sweater, but the color was not at all me. So, I decided right on to try and dye it. Not all dye jobs work out, so think twice before dipping your designer blouse into hot dye. But if it's a garment you know you won't wear because of its color, then I think it's worth experimenting.

I must say that this is the best dye job I have ever made, next to the tie-dye jersey tee and the ombre dress.  I love the burgundy color that  I got (I used a dark red dye) and how even the color is. There are definitely risks when it comes to dyeing garments at home, but in this case I'm so glad I took the risk.