We’re always looking for ways to make our outfits next-level special this time of year, so we asked our women’s design team to show us a few DIY tricks. Go ahead and try them at home—they’re way less complicated than that fruitcake recipe you’ve been thinking about.
The Gold-splattered Chino
Supersimple and kid friendly—the 7-year-old daughter of one of our designers gave us creative direction for where to put the paint!
- Grab a pair of chinos and lay it flat on top of a covered surface (or somewhere else you don’t mind dripping paint).
- Splatter and brush the chinos with gold acrylic paint. For a more authentic look, think about where you might naturally get paint if you were actually painting (like where you wipe your hands).
- Let them air-dry for about 30 minutes.
The Embroidered Chambray Shirt
These stitches are inspired by “sashiko,” a Japanese mending technique that’s often used to patch up kimonos.
- First, the elbow patch: With a pencil, trace an oval shape around the elbow of a chambray shirt. (The pencil will come off when you wash it, preferably by hand.)
- Using a ruler, trace evenly spaced lines across your oval.
- Go over the lines you created with a needle and thread, using a simple “in and out” stitch. Try to hold the fabric flat while you do this to keep it from bunching.
- Now, the pocket: Use your pencil and ruler to create a grid of little X’s.
- Stitch one X at a time. And remember, kind of like handwriting, everyone’s stitch will be a little different. Imperfection is part of what makes it look good!
The Bow-wrapped Shirt
This also works as a quick styling trick. Just put on the shirt and follow the instructions, skipping step three.
- Start with a collared shirt buttoned all the way up to the top.
- Take a grosgrain ribbon (bonus points if you grab one off your present!) and wrap it underneath the collar so it hangs evenly on both sides.
- Stitch the ribbon in place on the back of the shirt, underneath the collar.
- Tie a bow in front, just like you would tie a shoe.
- Trim the ends of the ribbon to the length you want them, cutting at an angle (it looks better and helps prevent fraying).
Before you make a run for The Container Store, evaluate how your closet will actually benefit from a complex shelving system or organizing tools. Even if these things visually organize your closet well, they still take up valuable real estate in your tiny closet. Save yourself the space and money and buy only what you need and have space for.
If you’re anything like me, every time you clean out your closet, a pile remains that you’re just not ready to part with. Then, that same pile rears its sentimental head six months or a year later when you tackle the organizing task again, only to find you forgot all about it, but still feel attached, for whatever reason. Repeat after me…Let. It. Go.
Keep around some junky clothes for painting or gardening or anything else that’ll get your hands dirty. But remember, you can’t wear more than one outfit at a time, so there’s no need to have a drawer full of paint-stained T-shirts and yoga pants. Let (most of) it go.
A closet door can do more than simply open and close—it can provide storage for those sundry items that, if not corralled, create clutter and chaos. Even novice woodworkers can succeed in building this tiered array of shallow shelves specially designed to fit the back of the door panel.
Many new homes boast spacious walk-in closets, but apartment renters and old-house dwellers must often contend with closets that are diminutive by comparison. Those who survive with so little storage are all too familiar with the fact that using every inch is essential. So if you are looking for clever ways to pack more into less space, begin your journey toward clutter-free living with these five favorite DIY closet organizer ideas from around the Web.