Ten clever, easy-to-do DIY clothing revamp projects to update and transition your wardrobe into fall.

Labor day may have officially signaled the end of summer, but its not quite time to go out and buy fall clothing yet. Skip the store and scratch the itch to buy something new by revamping your existing clothes with these 10 easy-to-do DIY wardrobe updating projects.

Lace-up Heels
Bring your summer pumps right into fall by transforming them into lace-up heels. It’s surprisingly easy to do with just a handful of supplies, Runway DIY shows how. Wear a pair of socks underneath and you can rock these until the snow starts falling.

Givenchy Boots
The first time I saw these boots I thought they looked kind of awkward. I still sort of do, but the fashion elite seems to have taken quite a liking to the Givenchys. Instead of coughing up serious cash for the real things, take a pair of wedge heels you never use and make your own versions. Check out this tutorial by Syl and Sam to learn how.

Gladiator Lace-up Sandals
Now that summer is officially over, it’s time to retire those flip flops for the season. Instead of putting them away in a box, however, do like Glitter N Glue and wrap them in a scarf to turn them into pretty lace-up sandals, perfect to wear with ankle-length pants this early fall.

Studded Knee Cap Jeans
Inspired by one of Christopher Kane’s runway looks, this DIY tutorial by Chictopia shows you how to make a regular pair of jeans into a true statement piece. You can, of course, put the studs wherever you want on a pair of jeans, but we think the knee cap placement kind of rocks.

Stitched Open-knit Sweater
The loose, open-knit sweater was all the rage this summer, and to take it into fall all you really need is some yarn and an hour to spare. Check out this brilliant tutorial by Inspiration and Realisation and get out those stitching needles. Because you already know how to make the T-shirt Yarn.

Gold Collar
Collars are still going strong this fall, and they are a great way to instantly update any shirt. This one by A Pair and a Spare is super easy to make, and probably more wearable than the Louis Vuitton piece that inspired it.

Embellished Collar
This fall, we won’t only see more of those removable collars (see above) but also lots of embellished collars on the shirts themselves. It’s a fun update to a wardrobe staple and could really look spectacular. This tutorial by Love Maegan shows you how to transform the collar of your favorite shirt to make it seriously glamorous.

Embellished Skirt
This fall is all about embellishment, and there is almost no such thing as too much. This DIY tutorial by P.S. I Made This shows you how to take a plain skirt from ordinary to fabulous by embellishing it with lace trim.

Cut-out T-shirt
Fall is all about layering, and you can start right now with lighter weight pieces. This DIY T-shirt project by Refinery29 shows you how to quickly and easily cut up a regular tee to make it look all desiger-y. And, it’s perfect for layering.

Geometric Beaded Top
Inspired by Burberry Prorsum’s tees embellished with wood beads, Inspiration and Realisation made their own version of this hot fall trend. The beads can be painted any color and cut into any shape, so the possibilities are endless. We love that they used upcycled popsicle sticks, we all probably have some of those laying around after summer.

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Ten easy-to-make DIY projects to get your kids all geared up for school.

Hard to believe for most parents, but it’s time to send your kids back to school. Instead of spending tons of money on all that back-to-school gear they need, involve them in the process and make the stuff yourself. All you need are some basic tools and materials and a serious sense of play. Here are ten great back-to-school DIY projects you (and the kids) can easily make at home.

Apple Print Drawstring Backpack.
A is for Apple, and this easy-to-make drawstring bag by Alphamom features an apple print that is made using an actual apple, and its leaf. You could also totally decorate this bag with any motif you like, or better yet, let the kids design one.

Initial Drawstring Backpack
Drawstring bags are great because they are so easy to create, which means you can actually make more than one of these. We love the striped fabric in combination with a large bold initial on this DIY bag by Momtastic. You could also make this with smaller letters to spell out your child’s whole name (but think twice about that if that name happens to be really long).

Patterned Backpack
Who says you have to buy a new bacpack just because school starts again? Maybe an old backpack could do just fine with a fun little update. This floral backpack tutorial by Hello Cotton shows you how to add panels of patterned fabric – which, by the way, doesn’t have to be floral – to an existing bag to give it a whole new look. We’re thinking you could do this and just tell your kid it’s a new bag.

Solar Backpack
For all those science nerds out there (and their parents), this DIY solar backpack by Dick Demenus (via NPR) would be a fun family project. It involved soldering and weatherproofing, so it seems like it could take a while, but making it yourself means it will cost around $40 – far less than the $200 or so that similar backpacks cost in the store.

Fabric Lunch Bag
Instead of packing them lunch in paper bags, make a washable, reusable lunch bag that will last all year long. This fabric lunch bag by The Purl Bee features cute embroidered detailing on the front, which you can skip or modify (maybe let the kids loose with some permanent markers?). The basic construction, though, is very simple, sturdy and, of course, easy to make.

Oil Cloth Lunch Bag
If your kids are on the messier side of the scale, it could be a good idea to try your hand at making one or two of these resuable oil cloth lunch bags by Skip to My Lou. They can easily be washed off and you can make them from worn out outdoor table cloths you may have laying around after summer.

Bicycle Frame Lunch Bag
If you’re fortunate enough to live in a place where it’s safe to send the kids off to school in their bikes, you should totally make sure they have a lunch bag that attaches to their bike frame. This simple tutorial by Evil Mad Scientist shows you how to make it. While you’re at it, make one for yourself too (oh, and start biking to work).

Drawstring Gym Bag
Sometimes it’s helpful to have a smaller bag to pack special things for school – such as gym clothes or supplies for a special project. This drawstring pouch by Planet Green takes only minutes to make. Using a tea towel is clever and saves time, but you can use any material you like.

Pencil Case
Help your little ones keep their pens, scissors, erasers and such in order with a nice pencil case. This DIY one by Pink Penguin is a little more involved, but – if you have the time to do it – totally worth it. Again, you can use any kind of fabric. Let the kids pick them and you can be sure they love their new case.

Chalkboard Notebook
Customizing notebooks is something most of us have done since we were in school. It’s a basic way to express our creativity, which is why we love the idea of one that can constantly change and evolve. Check out this tutorial by Warm Hot Chocolate and make the cover of your child’s notebook into a chalkboard. A bonus is that they can use it instead of passing notes, because that, well, kills trees you know.

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Ten head-turning pairs of earrings you can easily make at home.

A pair of great earrings can pull together a look like nothing else. We love how they can transform a simple outfit from borderline boring to head-turning in a pinch. Instead of spending tons of money on these baubles, get out some basic tools and make them yourself. Here are ten great pairs of earrings you can easily make at home.

Fabric Button Earrings
A bit of a throwback to the 80s, these cute button earrings can be customized with any fabric – to match your outfit or not. All you need is fabric, earring backs, a button cover kit, hot glue, pliers and this tutorial by Casa de Lewis. You may just end up making a whole bunch.

Friendship Hoop Earring
You’ve heard of friendship bracelets, perhaps you’ve even tried making them. But friendship earrings? Brilliant. In this tutorial, P.S. I Made This shows you how to turn a pair of plain hoop earrings into colorful statement pieces. We think these would make excellent gifts for your girlfriends too.

Hammered Metal Earrings
People will be amazed when you tell them that you actually made these gorgeous hammered metal earrings. They do require a bit more work than some, but it’s really very doable following these instructions by My Girlish Whims. The most intense tools you will need are a hammer, hole punch, and anvil.

Prada-inspired Rose Earrings
Some of the standout pieces of Prada‘s spring jewelry collection were necklaces, bracelets, brooches and earrings featuring large resin flowers and crystals. They’re retro and feminine and surprisingly easy to wear. Learn how to make a pair in this tutorial by Honestly WTF. (Also learn how to make those Dolce & Gabbana pasta earrings here.)

Dangly Gem Earrings
For your next cocktail party, there’s no need to spend money on fancy accessories – just make a pair of bright, sparkly gem earrings. This simple DIY tutorial on the M&J blog, created by Thanks, I Made It shows you how to make these beauties using sew-on gems in colors that capture the oceanic and pastel trends of the season.

Hex Nut Earrings
Hex nuts are one of the DIY movement’s secret weapons, simply because they have so many uses. You would never guess this pair of dangly earrings were made from hardware store supplies. Letandas will show you how to make them, using just a few basic tools.

Paperclip & String Earrings
Ever thought you could make a pair of stylish earrings from a humble paperclip and string? Well, you can, following this great tutorial by Evie S. We think this would be a great project for a slow day at the office.

Tassel Knot Chain Earrings
These are so ridiculously easy to make there’s no reason you should ever buy them in the store. Learn the tricks from Glitter and Glue and let your inner disco diva out.

Feather Earrings
I think we all have a hippie chick somewhere inside, and what better way to let her out than to sport some major feather earrings? What we particularly like about these, by The Coveted, are that they use wire instead of beads and pre-made clasps to attach the earwire. Make them simple and black, like these, or crazy and colorful – you can use any kind of feathers.

Antique Copper Rose Earrings
Created with little more than pliers and wire, these earrings have serious closet staple potential. House of Avandan gives you step by step instructions on how to make them. We give them serious bonus points for teaching us how to make earwires and how to antique copper – it’s easier than you think.

See Also:

10 DIY Bracelets You Can Make This Weekend

DIY: 10 Things to do With an Old T-Shirt

DIY: 10 Summer Shorts You Can Make At Home

Top photo by Honestly WTF

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