Upcycling & Zero Waste

How to Make Pattern Weights

How to make your own pattern weights with yarn and hex nuts

When using commercial sewing patterns, you will find that the tissue easily rips when it is pinned to the fabric. Pattern weights are a great alternative to pins, and are very easy to make!

20+ Cheap Alternatives to Disposables

by DoItYourselfSkills

Vintage turquoise, grey and white "Blue Heaven" dinner plate, matching cup and saucer with stainless flatware, cotton napkin and vintage Scottie dog napkin holder on a turquoise background - a cheap alternative to disposables.

This Blue Heaven vintage plate, saucer and teacup, vintage napkin holder, cloth napkin and stainless flatware are all cheap alternatives to their disposable counterparts.

Creating beautiful roses from recycled paper egg cartons is not only an enjoyable craft activity but also an eco-friendly way to repurpose waste materials. With a few simple tools and some patience, you can create stunning decorations for your home that are sure to impress. This project is also a great way to involve kids in a fun and educational activity that teaches them about the importance of recycling and sustainability. By following the step-by-step instructions and using your creativity, you can make beautiful roses that will add a touch of charm and elegance to your home décor. So, grab your supplies and start crafting today!

How to Make T-Shirt Yarn

by DoItYourselfSkills

Pink and purple T-shirts transformed into yarn that can be used for knitting, crochet and weaving.

Give new life to old T-shirts by turning them into T-shirt yarn! T-shirt yarn is durable, can be machine washed and dried, doesn’t shrink, and best of all – it’s FREE! So start saving those T-shirts and turn them into something gorgeous and useful like area rugs for the kitchen and bath.

How to Make Potholders from Upcycled T-Shirts

by DoItYourselfSkills

Close up of tightly woven upcyced T-shirt loops, used to make custom potholders.

Looking for a fun and eco-friendly way to create your own potholders? Look no further than your old t-shirts! With just a few simple steps, you can transform your worn-out shirts into colorful and durable potholder loops that are perfect for weaving.

Save Money by Cooking from Scratch

by DoItYourselfSkills

Food mill, wooden pestle, stock pot, tomato, parsley and bottle of red wine

Want to save money and eat healthier? Start cooking from scratch! With just a little bit of time and effort, you can make delicious, homemade meals that are both cost-effective and nutritious. In this article, I’ll share some of my favorite recipes and show you how you can save hundreds of dollars a year by cooking from scratch.

How to Create Wearable Art

by DoItYourselfSkills

Handmade, original sleeveless khaki woman's top, hand stamped in original design stamps in colors of olive drab and navy blue. Top is hung on a natural branch against the side of a weathered grey wood outbuilding.

In this post, I’ll show you how to create your own wearable art by hand stamping plain fabric. With just a few simple tools and techniques, you can turn plain fabric into a one-of-a-kind piece. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crafter, these step-by-step instructions will guide you through the process of creating your own unique fabric designs. So, get ready to unleash your creativity and start making your own hand-stamped fabric designs today!

Easy DIY Price Tags to Make With Recycled Paint Chips

by DoItYourselfSkills

Colorful recycled tags on a black background. Click on the photo to read the article on how to DIY price tags using recycled paint chips.

I needed price tags for a craft show, but wanted to keep with the core of my business, which is to use reclaimed and recycled materials. After thinking about how I could DIY price tags, I figured out a great way – by recycling and using old paint chips!

Restoring a Vintage Sewing Machine

by DoItYourselfSkills

Vintage sewing machine on a wooden table. The machine has been restored and is now in perfect working condition, ready for use in sewing projects.

Look at this vintage sewing machine I just restored! It was quite a process, but I’m so happy with how it turned out. Check out my blog post to see some before-and-after pics and learn more about how I brought this vintage beauty back to life. Now it’s one of the machines I frequently use for sewing and it looks gorgeous in my home studio!