Sometimes that hole in your favorite jeans isn’t an attempt at a fashion statement – it’s just annoying happenstance! Luckily, how to repair jeans isn’t as daunting as it may appear.

You’re casually getting dressed in the morning – totally jazzed about putting on your favorite jeans – when you hear that unmistakable ripping noise. “It’s OK,” you tell yourself. “Maybe the rip is in an acceptable place,” you say. But nope, it’s right under your bum. So, what’s a girl to do? Get crafty, that’s what.

Just because your favorite pair of oh-so-perfectly worn-in jeans now has an unsightly hole doesn’t mean you have to toss the pants into the scrap pile. You can simply repair your baby blues. Don’t know how to repair jeans? We’ve got you covered (pun intended).

How to Repair Jeans

What you need

Matching thread
Scrap fabric
Lightweight fusible*
Scissors (or a pinking shears if you have one)
Sewing machine that can also sew in reverse (some really old machines can’t),
Iron and ironing board
*Fusible is a lightweight non-woven webbing that when ironed between fabric, holds two pieces together.

Method

Put your favorite jeans around the ironing board and cut off the frayed edges of the fabric. (You need a clean edge to allow your scrap fabric to blend with the rest of your jeans.) Next, turn the pair of jeans inside out and lay them back on the board. Cut the scrap fabric (make sure the scrap is large enough to cover the damaged area and add a little extra to extend into an unworn portion of your worn-in jeans). Reinforce any weakened areas. Tear off the little bits of your fusible to make a ring around the hole. (Be careful to not get any over the edge, or you’ll see it on the outside.) Then, center your scrap over the hole or tear. Once your fabric is centered, iron the backside of the scrap, using the steam setting. Hold it for a few seconds to make sure the fusible adheres.

For more on how to finish this DIY project and for detailed sewing directions, visit the original article, “The DIY Tailor: An Easy Way to Fix Holes in Your Jeans and Other Garments,” on ManMadeDIY.

Now, if your pair of jeans is too far gone, consider buying a new or “previously loved” pair from a company that will repair those jeans for free.

Nudie Jeans, a company that makes sustainable jeans, offers to repair your pair of “broken in” jeans for free at any of their store-front locations. If you don’t live near one of Nudie Jeans’ stores, worry not. The company will send you a free, DIY repair kit. In addition to extending the life of you jeans, Nudie also uses organic cotton and vegetable-tanned leather in the process of making its jeans. The company also describes where it sources its materials and pays its workers fair wages. (Read more about Nudie Jeans here.)

Follow Abbie on Twitter or Instagram, or read more about her on ginchy.

Related on EcoSalon

8 Best Made In America Jeans Brands: On Trend

Levi’s Makes Wearing Garbage Fashionable with ‘Plastic’ Jeans

Now & Then: The History of Skinny Jeans

Resource

“Nudie Jeans’ repair shops should be the new standard for sustainable fashion,” via Treehugger

Image: Francisco Osorio

The post Don’t Toss Your Favorite Jeans, Learn How to Repair Jeans Instead! appeared first on EcoSalon.

Turn your old bras into awesome new accessories and garments with these fun and easy DIY projects.

Don’t throw away your old bras just yet – you may find that one of these 5 amazing DIY projects is the perfect solution for your faded, torn or broken bra. Whether all you can salvage are the straps, or maybe you just want to vamp a boring bra into a chic bralette, these projects are the ticket to keeping your old bra from going in the bin.

1. Upcycled Bra Strap Headband from Spincushion Those strappy headbands that look so simple but elegant can easily be made from an old bra strap, and even embellished with a fabric flower or some vintage buttons. Use plain straps for a clean and preppy look, and printed ones for a more stylish touch.

2. DIY Bralette Top from Chictopia Got an nice bra that  you don’t really wear that often but can’t bear to throw away? Or maybe one of your bras has lost its straps but you can’t really wear it without them. Well this bralette top is the perfect feminine addition to your Spring/Summer ’14 wardrobe  and can be customized for your personal style.

3. Scented Bra Pouch from Craftbits A simple and cute way to recycle your bras is by turning them into a little potpourri pouch for your lingerie drawer. Just choose your scent of choice and turn your old bra into a sweet, little pouch.

4. Bra to Bathing Suit DIY from Tasha Delrae Finding the perfect bikini top can sometimes become a challenge – if only you could find one that fits as perfectly as your favorite bra! This DIY tutorial will teach you how to do that in your bathing suit fabric of choice. Make a pair of bottoms to match too!

5. DIY Adjustable Bra Strap Bracelet from [a few good things] Another super cute way to upcycle your bra straps is by turning them into a simple but classy bracelet. Personalize yours with a bead or embroidery. These are a wonderful gift, and one that no one would ever guess came from a recycled undergarment!

Related on EcoSalon

11 DIY Jewelry Projects for $20 or (Way) Less

DIY 10 Things to Do with An Old T-Shirt

Smart Style For Bookworms and Sexy Librarians: On Trend

Images: Spincushion, Chictopia, Craftbits, Tasha Delrae, [a few good things]

The post 5 Awesome DIY Projects to Upcycle and Recycle Bras appeared first on EcoSalon.

Rolling pins: perfect for pie crusts and original pieces of graphic art.

Printmaking is simply the process of transferring a pattern or piece of art with inks onto paper. Every time you transfer the ink, however, it is considered an original piece of art since it will have it’s own unique qualities, making you (the roller pin swiller) a master of tarts and art. A very DIY nerd thing to say, yes; but true.

You can use many items for this exercise: a carved block, a Styrofoam plate, fruits, erasers, potatoes – anything that will transfer ink. As far as the rolling pin goes, use rubber bands and craft foam to create pure awesomeness. The advantage of using this particular implement is that you can print a large swathe very quickly.

This is going to get messy. Be sure to cover your work area and wear an apron.

What you need:

Break your supply list up into the stores you’ll need to visit.

Craft store:

• craft foam
• spray glue
• paper
• tape
• block printing ink
• rubber bands
• scissors

Thrift store:

• rolling pins
• glass or acrylic from frames*

*If you find more than one frame, purchase it so you can have a few colors of ink out at the same time. If you only have one piece of glass or acrylic, you will have to wash it to switch colors. More than one rolling pin is handy, too.

Other options: use an old mouse pad instead of craft foam. They make excellent DIY stamps.  Look for a flat baking pan instead of using glass or acrylic.

Step 1. Cover your rolling pins with paper and tape it on. On my first attempt, I used plastic wrap. It worked but some of the plastic picked up the ink. Paper works better.

Step 2. Cut out the craft foam in your own one-of-a-kind design and attach it to the covered rolling pin with spray glue.  If you don’t care how messy your rolling pin gets, you can adhere the foam directly to the wood. Some craft foam has a sticky back., in which case you can skip the spray glue. Alternatively, instead of using craft foam wrap the rolling pin with rubber bands. Now your rolling pin is ready to go.

Step 3. Squeeze out some ink on the glass. Block printing ink is water-soluble and non toxic. It’s thick and sticky and doesn’t dry too fast. It will even wash off your rolling pin handle.

Step 4. Spread the ink with a brush.

Step 5. Roll the pin in the ink so it covers the craft foam or rubber bands. You can go back and forth and side to side to make sure it is completely inked up.

Step 6. Now, the exciting part. Tape down your paper and roll on your design. You can add layers by rolling the stamp out more than once on the paper or by adding additional colors.

It’s the perfect project for custom-made wrapping paper.

You can make tags and cards. Even wallpaper. You can frame the prints for custom art. Experiment on wood, cork or metal, too. This project has endless possibilities.

We hope you find them.

The post DIY: Printmaking With Rolling Pins appeared first on EcoSalon.

Practicality you didn’t even know you needed.

This easy project costs pennies and adds rustic charm to any decor. Hang it in a bathroom or above a dresser in the bedroom to keep your necklaces untangled and organized (also, so you don’t forget to wear them). The piece of wood used in this project was found on the beach. Try taking apart a pallet or sourcing reclaimed wood in your area.

Supplies:

Plank of wood, drill with ¼” bit, knobs (found at Anthropologie for approximately $5.00), hammer and nails.

Step 1. Wipe down the plank with a cloth and some wood soap and remove any old nails.

Step 2. Drill holes where you would like the knobs to be. Make sure your drill bit is the size of the knob screw.

Step 3. Screw the knobs into the plank of wood. If your knob screws are longer than the plank of wood in the back, you will have to saw them off. It depends on the type of knob and thickness of the wood you have.

Step 4.  Attach it to the wall with a hammer and nails. (You won’t have to worry about finding a stud because the jewelry holder is lightweight. (If you are going to hang heavier objects, like jackets, you will need to use screws and find the stud.)

Voila!

ALSO CHECK OUT:

The Perfect DIY Gift: Mason Jar Photo Candles
DIY: A Holder for Sunglasses You Can Make in 10 Minutes
DIY: A Clock You Can Make in 10 Minutes

The post DIY in 10 Minutes: Reclaimed Wood Jewelry Holder appeared first on EcoSalon.