winter wardrobe prep... how to make leather elbow patches!

I recently went through my closet to check out my winter wares and found a few pieces that needed updating, mending or make-overs.  I'll share those pieces over the next few weeks...  first up... how to make leather elbow patches for old sweaters!

I have this gorgeous sweater from J.Crew that was a gift from my husband several years ago (2005 I believe)!  It is a wool and angora blend, fits almost like a sweater jacket, has leather covered buttons and is SO warm and cozy.

It was definitely an investment piece when my husband bought it 6 years ago but now it is unfortunately showing some wear.  You can see my finger tips through the elbow areas... so I figured I would try some diy leather elbow patches on the sweater instead of just getting rid of it or waiting until it broke through.

I couldn't believe how easy this diy was... first I laid the sweater out on the ironing board with the offending elbow areas lined up and put a piece of paper between the sleeve layers so that I could see the thin areas on a quick glance (for when I place the patches) and also used the paper in there in case some of the fusing bled through (to avoid the sleeves sticking together).

Then I snagged some suede from my local Hobby Lobby.  I found this square in the craft section (not the fabric section) for less than $5.  They had lots of colors and textures to choose from. I chose to make my elbow patches in circles and traced circles with a guide (I used a random lid I had hanging around the house).

Then I put the suede patches over a layer of "Steam A Seam" sheet and cut corresponding circles of the fusing product.  This was also under $5 for a whole package at Hobby Lobby.

Next I set the iron to the highest steam setting and lined up the patches and steamed them on.  I had reservations about using the steam directly on the leather, but I knew the fusing material needed lots of steam to work so I just went for it.  I noticed no ill effect on the suede at all.

In literally MINUTES I had elbow patches!  The "Steam to Seam" worked fabulously and not only did this project cost me less than $10, it also took less than 15 minutes!  That is my kind of diy!

Look for this sweater in some upcoming outfit posts!  And I have one other change up to show you on another piece from my closet soon that was also inexpensive and super easy!

my outfit: bib necklace {+ a giveaway!}

So as promised I am here today with the reveal of my diy jean shorts (distressing tutorial is HERE) and a little giveaway!

First things first, as far as DIY stuff goes I am pretty low on the totem pole of skills. I really have none. But every once in a great while I can whip something out that I DIY and don't want to throw in the garbage immediately afterward. These shorts haven't left my booty for pretty much 5 days straight... except for dips in the pool of course. So I would consider them a resounding success, no?



My favorite features of these shorts? The "shredding" action definitely worked. I love that there are some areas where the denim is distressed, but not just big holes. There is a hole or two as well, but I think I got a good balance. Also key was the distressing on the pocket areas - bonus! I also really like the length (my husband requested three inches shorter, of course - MEN!). I love that they go with tanks, tees and even a 3/4 sleeve would be fun to pair with these. If we got a decent day of rain I would just die to wear them with my wellies. Time will tell.



A reader last week commented that I never smile in my pictures and maybe look a little sad. So it's SMILES all around today! I don't really know why I don't usually smile in my outfit pictures. I never really thought about it! So it's smiles today... we'll see about tomorrow.



Oh, and didn't I mention a giveaway? You know how I have been blabbering on all summer about BOLD accessories and how perfect they are for summer. I came across this bib necklace through my endless internet wanderings and I just KNEW I had to have it! It's from Mandy's Yellow Corner on etsy... I got to chatting with Mandy over email and she offered to do a giveaway of the same necklace for my readers!



The giveaway is for this necklace (or at least VERY similar to this necklace, they are all handmade!)... to enter, leave YOU MUST BE A FOLLOWER - so click "follow" on the sidebar of this blog and then leave a comment - that's it! Thanks Mandy and good luck!

*** COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED *** I'll post a winner soon!

distressed denim 101!

After I cut off a pair of jeans into shorts recently... I have not been able to stop wearing them. I am such a "jeans" person, so jean shorts are just my style! I found an old pair in the closet that have gotten zero to no wear because I didn't like the fit at the ankle (they were a weird combo of boot-fit/wide-leg that did not suit me at all). I also thought, what the heck!?!? Let's have some fun distressing them as well... because if there is one thing I love, it's jeans. If there are TWO things I love, it's distressed jeans!

I have never done this before and didn't want to get out sand paper, bleach, power tools or the like. I happened to be in my bathroom (PLEASE excuse the ugly flooring, I know, I know.) and I had a pair of hair scissors (super sharp!), thinning shears and a hair brush. [Why all the hair scissors??? I cut my own kids hair! Do you? It's fun and cheap, except when I mess up and have to pay someone to fix it! ha!]

The photo quality is crap (iphone + poor light) - but I think you will get the sitch.

1. I started by dragging the sharp blade of the scissors across the denim. My goal wasn't to get big holes, but rather more shreds.


2. See shreds:


3. I did this in three spots on the front...


4. Then I used the thinning shears on the pocket areas for more distressing there. The thinning shears have a jagged edge that worked well for distressing the edges of the seams on the pockets.


5. Then I did similar distressing on the back side... one shred in the pocket (but not all the way through) and more thinning shears on the pockets. I didn't want to much "missing" on the back... you don't want to flash a bun or your undies! :)


6. (Not shown, I tried them on an determined a good length and cut that too... I wanted these a little long: see #7)Then I took this bristly brush and brushed the distressed areas really hard (this made a huge mess!)... but it was a good way to start the fringe effect!


7. Then I cut slits up the side... I tend to be a little "thigh-a-liscious" so this helps give those suckers some breathing room.


Voila!

Then just pop them in the wash/dryer to get the fringe fluffy and you are all set. Mine turned out AMAZING! Check the blog on Monday to see the finished product and a little giveaway (a completely un-related giveaway - but a fun one you won't want to miss!)