Non Medical Face Mask Tutorial

DISCLAIMER: 3/22/20 This is NOT a medical grade face mask! It is NOT a substitute for an N95! It is simply an improvement over a bandanna or a scarf if you are a health care professional (HCP) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is not available. Before you watch the video tutorial, grab these materials: DIY […]

Two British Women Fighting Fast Fashion Waste

From Fashion Shopaholics To Refashion Designers Claire and Emily are fighting the fashion trend that dictates that if you wear something once, you can’t be seen in it again. The fast fashion industry is relentless in its strategic marketing message:  if you’re not wearing ‘on-trend’ clothing, there’s something wrong with you. You’re ‘unstylish’. Many people don’t […]

Why UpCycled Clothing Matters and the #ChopDontShop Movement

#chopdontshop movement

As you know if you’ve been reading my blog for a while, I make upcycled garments and crafts out of discarded clothing. And I want to encourage you – to beg you – to start doing the same thing. I’m going to give you 3 BIG REASONS why it’s so important that we all start […]

Easy Upcycled Dress Tutorial

There’s nothing more fun than being able to make and wear a new garment in one day. And with an easy upcycled sewing project like this one, you can totally do it, even if you’re a total sewing beginner.  Sometimes, if you’re anything like me, you just want to make an easy upcycled dress in […]

Crafting Therapy Changed My Life – Could It Change Yours?

The Benefits of Crafting Therapy Crafting therapy as a way to improve one’s outlook on life has been used by occupational therapists for decades. Besides improving motor skills and keeping hands and fingers supple and flexible, the simple pride of creating a finished product can be a huge moral booster. Crafting also encourages self-expression, which […]

Can Upcycled Clothing Help Save the Planet?

upcycled leg warmers

This is a guest post by a fellow Asheville-based upcyled clothing refashionista. Her name is Julia McDowell of Perpetual Muse Designs, and here is her story. Saving the World, One Fabric Scrap at a Time. . . I work from home alongside my amazingly supportive husband and 3 yr old son. We live in our […]

10 Minute Free DIY Door Draft Stopper Project

This DIY Door Draft Stopper Project Takes About 10 Minutes And Costs Zero $! The weather has been crazy cold this winter, hasn’t it? NOT my idea of fun! But recently I recalled my mother teaching me how to make a fun door draft stopper as a kid, and I thought I’d share this project […]

Fashion Kills: The Seamy Underpinnings of the Fast Fashion Industry

Fashion Kills: The Seamy Underpinnings of the Fast Fashion Industry Back in the 1960’s the term “fast fashion” had not yet been coined. Back then it was considered cool, sensible, and smart to take good care of your clothing. If a blouse was wrinkled you (carefully) ironed it. If the stitching at the seams or […]

How To Make an Instant Pot Cover in 10 Minutes

Instant Pot Cover

How To Make an Easy Instant Pot Cover in Just 10 Minutes (Note: If you’re not much of a seamstress or crafter, I just found this super affordable Instant Pot cover on Amazon. You’re welcome. 🙂 ) I don’t know about you, but everywhere I turn these days I’m hearing about the Instant Pot, or […]

Halloween DIY Solaire Costume from Dark Souls

DIY Solaire costume from Dark Souls

DIY Solaire Costume From Dark Souls This year I didn’t think our kids were even going to need Halloween costumes. Our son at 16 has been above such things for a few years now, and even our 13 year old twin girls seemed to be ‘meh’ on the subject. You can imagine my surprise when […]