Steampunk week on Threadbanger and IndieMogul

Threadbanger hosted a Steampunk week with IndieMogul. Check out their videos with many tutorials, links and projects. Can you feel it? Steampunk has so arrived. I case you have never heard of Steampunk, you can see my previous posts to read all about it. Start from the bottom..

ReadyMade magazine Re-fashion issue

ReadyMade magazine Re-fashion issue feature this trashion decor project, using belt buckles as crafty storege solutions. ReadyMade also features other cool DIY projects, "MacGyver" challenges, gallery for your DIY project pictures, discussion forum and designer features. Plus of course they blog.

New tutorial on Cut Out and Keep - Fusing plastic bags to fabric or knitwear

I posted a new tutorial on Cut Out and Keep DIY community about fusing plastic bags to fabric or knitwear. You can find all my step by step How To Projects there.



This technique can be applied if you want to make your own House Of Holland -styled tees!

Many have asked me can the plastic be washed in water and will it crack. I washed this tee very carefully by hand in water and the print stayed on surprisingly well. Plastic can handle water, but not the mechanical stress of thumbling around in a washing machine. Knits I do not water wash.

The plastic hardens when it cools down. It will crack eventually! The more layers you apply, the harder the plastic gets and the easier it cracks... The good thing is that it can be re-melted at any time. Thistechnique is more of an temporary effect that can be ripped off after one evening. The plastic comes off really nicely with out harming the garment. I recommend using this only on loose fitted clothing, because I noticed that the plastic comes off if the fabric/knit is stretched.

Maybe the best solution is to first melt one layer, let it cool down, then SEW a zic-zac along the edges of the plastic pieces. It might help the pieces to stay on better. Finally melt an identical second layer on to the first one with stitching so the two layers will be bound together and the stitching is covered. I have not yet tested this but to me it sounds like it could work!!

Patchwork denim

Denim is by far my favorite material to work with. It is easy to find from thrift stores and secondhand shops + it usually does not cost much. It is also pretty easy to sew and theredore a very good material to start with if you are a novice customizer.

I´m currently working on two bags that I have created from worn out denim pieces. Patchwork technique allows you to use even the smallest pieces from your craft fabric collections so it is very ecological. I will post the images (and tutorial) of the bags when they are finished but in the meantime here are some of my favorite denim patchwork projects by other crafty trashionistas and my inspiration book.

The technique is simple. Arrange the denim pieces on to the paper patterns and sew together. There really are no rules! The denim pieces can be of different colors, they can have raw edges and as much freehand over stitching that you can possibly think of. Cut of extra fabric, but remember to leave allowences. Sew together according to the models instructions. The seams make the pieces a bit stiff, but this technique works well on bags, jackets and home textiles.

Patchwork denim jacket by E.Patzig




This fab bag is made by (room#15)from southern califolnia



This lovely denim teddy was made by suzysu sparkles



Denim covered armchair by Mattia Bonetti

Cut Out + Keep Projects Craft community

Cut out and keep is a fun craft community where after creating your profile you can easily make tutorials of your craft projects. Just protograph every step when you´re doing a new project and then upload the images + step by step instructions to Cut Out + Keep.

I´ve uploaded two projects so far: Spraypainting accessories and my boxy-t-shirt tutorial. I´ll be entering more soon.

You can find all my Cut Out + Keep tutorials and projects HERE. Check out also my craft tutorials on Flickr.