Why DIY: The Best Projects to Try

By Melissa Aguilera on April 21, 2016

DIY decor is rampant within social media. This movement is elevating creativity and innovation, while decreasing waste. There are innumerable ways you can alter something you want to throw away into something totally desirable. From plastic to old clothes, you can pretty much manipulate any material to create something useful and environmentally friendly. This whole alteration process may seem like a lot of work. Watching some of these videos makes me laugh to myself with a slight “yeah right.” But some of these transformations are just so incredible, it’d be a crime, aesthetically and sustainably, to not try them out. Creative and productive, this is a totally selfless indulgence of crafts, with the Earth in mind (and your wallet too.) I’m here to present a few ways to make something old new again.

So set aside all your preconceptions about what “Do it yourself” may entail. This is a whole blooming realm of creativity and possibility, excluding no one.

Clothing and Accessories

Are you growing tired of those cheetah print pants? Or maybe those leggings with the bright watermelons all over? Well, say no more. Transform those outdated pants into a fresh, new top! Impossible you say?! Well here’s how.

Step 1: Lay leggings flat on surface and snip out where the legs meet into a semi-circle.

Step 2: Put on like a blouse. I swear that’s it. There’s no way that can look good you say?

Image via Pinterest

Well, check out “Dicadaka” on Instagram, the DIY queen. This woman has altered so many articles of clothing into something completely new and beautiful.

If you are in need of a new bag there’s something for you too!

Step 1: Choose any old t-shirt you don’t wear anymore. Cut off the sleeves to give the shirt a tank top feel. Cut the neck line to make it slightly wider and deeper.

Step 2: Grab your scissors and make a series of vertical snips, resulting in fringe, along the bottom of the shirt. Make sure the snips are about 1-2 inches long.

Step 3: Turn the shirt inside out and tie the fringe into a series of knots.

Step 4:

Image via mommypotamus.com

This will result in spaces between the knots, so now tie the remaining fringe from these knots with the adjacent knots. I know it sounds complicated, but I promise it’s not.

Step 5: Once your knots are nice and secure with no spaces in between, flip it right side out. You’ve got yourself a new bag!

Image via getawaytoday.com

Okay, so I’ve offered a few ways to alter clothing, but what about the structural individual? The one who doesn’t want a wardrobe but an atmosphere?

Home Decor

Here’s a cool way to transform plastic bottles into a a lamp shade.

Step 1: Cut up bottles, (it’s better if they’re colorful), into long thin strips.

Step 2: Weave strips.

Step 3:  Wrap your now mini plastic blanket around existing shade and super glue. There you have it. A brilliant new splash of color, made by you, and a less polluted world.

Image via Pinterest

The conversion of old bottles isn’t limited to lamp shades. They can be used to decorate anything really!

Keep the old bottles just as they are! Place a tea candle in glass bottles or maybe even flowers. Plastic strips from recyclables can be used for frames, collages, or even mats.

Image via recycled-things.com

“Do It Yourself” projects are truly achievable, feasible, and entirely environmentally friendly. All you really need is a little creativity and some “garbage.”

 

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