DIY: Tee to Tank

There is something about "ladies-fit tshirts" that I cannot stand. They make my torso appear boxy, not flattering me what so ever! So, when I came across a Pinterest photo- turning a teeshirt into a tank- I knew the perfect shirts I would use for this conversion. I got two John Deere shirts at Lowes for ten bucks. I missed the part where it said "Ladies" unfortunately, so I have never worn them. The pink shirt is used for this tutorial, which I had to use hand stitching. However, when I get my sewing machine later this week (hopefully), I am going to make the green one. I will update this post when I make the green one so you will see the outcome on a "tank" sown together with a sewing machine opposed to by hand! 

Pictured to the right is my final product of this DIY! The supplies needed are listed below:

-1 tshirt (doesn't need to be over sized, you remove no width!)

-scissors (fabric scissors are preferred but I did mine with regular craft scissors)

-needle & thread (or sewing machine!)

The point of my refreshed & reusable segment is to give something not in use a new look- opposed to spending extra money! 

Step One: Cut away excess fabric 

Step Two: Pin & Sew top-front & top-back

Step Three: String draw-string through top-front & top-back holes

you can sew open ends together, make a bow, whatever you please

To feed the string through the holes, I got an ink pen with a cap on it, slid the end of the fabric strip in the little clip part, then just inched it down the hole. 

If you are interested in seeing the tank I make using my sewing machine- check back in a week or so... it all depends on when my sewing machine comes in! 

Good luck and happy sewing :)

original tutorial here

DIY: Pallet Flower Planter

Today's refreshed= reusable post consists of a flower planter I constructed out of an old pallet and left over black-plastic piping. This is an intermediate skill type of DIY- while the piping is easy to cut and drill through, a Skil Saw was used to cut the 'half moons' you will see later. 

Materials:

-1 pallet, any size desired

-how many ever planter-holders desired

-'half moons' *two for each end of the plant-holders*

-hammer & roofing nails

 -electric drill, and bit to bur holes

-nail gun and nails with larger heads

-3 feet long, slender boards

-pre treated plywood

-spray paint (if desired)

pallet- each 'slat' is 3 ft long

black plastic pipe, cut in half

'half moons' cut out of plywood, spray painted black

'half moons' nailed into end of piping via roofing nails + hammer

plant holder, nailed to pallet with nail gun. placing the 3 ft long slender board atop of the planter while nailing helps to secure plant holder. 

when all 'planters' are nailed to pallet, use a drill with a hole-burring bit to make holes in the bottom of black planters. this will allow excess water to run out of the planters

paint your masterpiece, if desired. spray paint is advised to make things easier. 

here is the final product! i inserted fake flowers just so you could see my 'vision' for this DIY!

There ya have it, yolks! A laid out instructional guide on how to conduct your very own pallet-planter! You've seen it on Pinterest, and probably somewhere else... so join the club and take pride in making your very own! If you do make your own, I'd love to see your pictures! Best of luck to ya!!

DIY: Button Bobby-Pins

Happy Monday!! Today's Refreshed = Reusable DIY is button bobby pins. I found my grandmother's can of old buttons, and I found buttons she had cut off blouses and sweaters that she was throwing away. I fell in love with this amazing pink colored button that looked like tiny rose buns! Lucky for me she had six!!! So I grabbed my pack of mini bobby pins, snatched up my hot glue gun, and got to craftin'!!!

I slid the button through the bobby pin, until I got to the u-shaped end, the held onto the button with a pair of tweezers. This caused the bobby pin to hang down vertically. So then I shot a dab of hot glue right in the hole of the button. Then sat the hot glue gun down, and lifted the bobby pin up where it was vertical, laid the pin down on a flat surface so it could dry.

There ya go, free & snazzy hair accessories! I adore these!!

Pictured in my friend "H"'s hair! Too cute♥

Here are a few other pins I made using the same technique:

Feel free to email me at the address located on the right-hand sidebar anytime with more detailed instructions on how I put together this DIY, or any others! Hope you enjoy!

DIY: Potholder Holders/ Cases

I really am not overly pleased with the outcome of this DIY- it could be for the lack of a hot glue gun, and my poor sewing skills, but for a more skilled sewer, this DIY will run a lot smoother, and look a lot nicer. 


My first speed bump was I could not find the pot holders I was looking for. I had bright colors with polka dots in mind, but Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Walgreens, CVS, Marshals, and K-Mart (where I purchased the ones I used) had boring colors in mind. So I ended up setting for a  greenish color. 


It started out as a straighter holder/case...then became a sunglasses holder/case...finally resulting in an "electronic holder," as I have decided me call it. the sunglasses I tried to place in this handy holder were either too large, or I wasn't placing them in correctly. Anyways, I have decided these little clutch-like holders will be used to keep your electronics safe while in your purse! It isn't bulky, like some protective electronic cases. And if you are a good sewer, yours will look fabulous.


All you really have to do is fold horizontally, pin sides together to hold shape, sew on an accessories(buttons, ribbon, lace), then sew up the sides. 

To make the fastener: cut a hair bow/hair tie in two, sew each end together very close together at the top...then sew a button on, where the tie can hook around it, holding the sides together, keeping your electronic from tumbling out! 
I sewed a ribbon on over the ends of the hair bow, camouflaging the 'fastener' but all the extras are optional, and changeable. 

I know the quality of these aren't the greatest, but please understand this was my first time making anything like this. It always takes a few tries to perfect something. If you are interested in making on of these holders for your purse, and want a more step by step instruction guide on how I assembled mine, feel free to contact me at my email address posted on the right hand side of my page! Thanks & good luck!

DIY: Bottle Flower Hangers {R=R}

Glad you stopped by to check out what I "refreshed" so I could "reuse!" Today I decided to use Bud Light Platinum beer bottles. Note: I did not drink these! A family friend, who drinks this beer, was nice enough to give them to me once they were empty. She used WD-40 to remove the labels. 

Finished Product

My first step was to find away to use the wire I had handy to create a makeshift hanger. Trial and error was the method I chose because I had no idea what would work. Finally I shoved a knot shaped mess of wire down the neck of the bottle, and it held. So that is what I did on the remaining bottles. I had to use probably a yard, give or take, on this part because the knot used a lot of the wire. Then I clipped some more wire, about 6 inches in length, and wrapped it around the neck. I thought it would add a nice touch, but it is totally optional. 

Next I set out on my four wheeler on a quest for wildflowers! This is what I came up with...

Then you arrange your flowers in your bottle vases. It helps to hold the hook, like it would hang from a tree, while inserting the flowers. If you don't, when you grab the hook, the flowers slide out. 

Now, find a tree!

I intend on using my bottle vases for a backdrop to take photos, but how you use yours is totally up to you!

I hope this project works well for you and you are pleased with your final product, as was I! Feel free to email me with any questions or comments at dashofsouthern@yahoo.com !