Active Fashion Design Posts
How To: Make duct tape flip flops
This video is about how to make duct tape flip flops. For this you need cardboard, scissors, and three different colored tapes. Follow a few easy steps: cut two identical slipper shapes out of cardboard. Paste the first colored tape on the cut pieces. Fold second colored tape three times to make it thinner. With the help of the scissors create a hole and pass the second colored tape through it. Paste the tape at the back. With the last tape, strengthen the joints above the hole.
How To: Make your own pair of flip flop sandals out of duct tape
Of course you can make anything out of duct tape - even shoes! This tutorial shows you how to take your foot measurements and then use that to make your own pair of flip flops or thong sandals out of duct tape.
How To: Make a cool pair of denim flip-flops with Gianny L
Learn how to design flip-flops to wear this summer with Gianny L! This instructional fashion design video demonstrates how to turn an old pair flip-flops into a hip pair of sandals, using some denim scraps. It's affordable summer fashion and easy to put together.
How To: Draw basic figures for fashion design sketches
Consider a normal and ideal height for a girl in 5feet 8inches in height. The book of Andrew Loomis is a good guide for drawing realistic human figures. It explains the body proportions, techniques, drawing the parts, human movements, and poses of the body.
How To: Make your oversized shirt into a fitted shirt
Watch closet and fashion guru Barbra Horowits, author of Closet Control, demonstrate how to take an oversized t-shirt and sew a fitted, hip, and sexy shirt. It's so easy, anyone can do it. You can use left over scraps to create a sexy open weave along the sides of the shirt that also holds it together. No needle and thread necessary!
How To: Make a duct tape coin purse
Is there anything duct tape can't do? You can use it to temporarily repair leaking pipes, patch up broken furniture, build seaworthy boats (as proven on "Mythbusters") and so much more. But did you know you can also use it to make cheap fashion accessories? Indeed you can, and in this video tutorial a young lady shows you how to make a coin purse out of duct tape.
How To: Make your own natural dye with EtsyLabs
This week Kim Hall, a teacher at the EtsyLabs and an Etsy Seller (nottene), came by to show her technique for dyeing natural fabric with organic ingredients. Kim has worked with many different dyeing and printing methods. If you've always wanted to dye your own fabrics or yarn, this is a great video to get you started. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to use cabbage, onion, or tumeric to make a natural fabric or yarn dye.
How To: Paint Silk Neckerchief?
Today I would like to share a few data about painting on silk with all the creative readers. The knowledge comes in handy if you want to give a homemade gift or even try to sell a few of your masterpieces.
How To: Make a maxi dress with Gianny L
The alluring and stylish GiannyL is the DIY fashion design guru of the web. Do-it-yourself has never been so sexy before. Her fashion design video tutorials make new outfits not only hot, but cheap and easy. And recycling and reusing old clothing is not only practical, but eco-friendly.
How To: Make a Rockabilly Summer Swimsuit with Threadbanger
You wanted more summer lessons, you got em. This week learn how to take an old mens shirt and turn it into a rockin new rockabilly swim suit. Just follow along with the steps in this video and take your new stylish suit to the beach.
How To: Make a fabric pouch or small clutch purse
In this video, learn how to make a pouch. This fabric tote is perfect for a small clutch, or carrying toiletries like makeup and accessories from place to place. Whatever you wish to use it for, there is no doubt that this purse is adorable, so check out this clip and learn to make one all on your own.
How To: Spray dye fabric
Just dye it! In this crafty how to video, Melissa shows you the moves to make plain fabric into a showpiece. Also, find out which scissors every self-respecting sewer should keep in her sewing kit. Watch this tutorial and get this brightly colored, fashion forward look in no time.
How To: Make a beanie, a poncho, and mittens out of a sweater
Thread Heads teach you how to convert and old sweater into three new fashionable pieces.
How To: Recycle a pillowcase into a dress with Gianny L
Learn how to recycle a pillowcase into a dress with Gianny L! The sexy GiannyL demonstrates this DIY closet hack that's simple and cheap. All you need is an old pillowcase, some scissors, and some string. A small pillowcase dress is the perfect creation for any young lady. Watch this video and learn how to make it!
How To: Create a key chain dangle or lanyard out of duct tape
There are many different things you can make out of duct tape. Take key chain dangles and lanyards for example- with the proper tape colors, you can craft highly stylized and cool looking duct tape creations that are an awesome fit for your keys or as a lanyard to carry various badges or objects.
How To: Turn jeans into knee length denim skirts with Gianny L
This knee length denim skirt is both flirty and comfortable. Learn how to turn jeans into a knee length denim skirt with Gianny L! The sexy GiannyL demonstrates this DIY closet hack that's simple and cheap. Wear with boots for a sexy look or with flip flops for casual days.
How To: Make a t-shirt stencil
Want to make our own t-shirt designs? Learn how to create stencils to make your own custom t-shirts
How To: Make a sports bra out of men's underwear with Gianny L
Check out this video to learn how to make a sports bra out of men's underwear with the sexy Gianny L. All you need is a pair of underwear and some scissors. Cut a hole in the crotch and you have a super cute sports bra that you can exercise in. The sexy GiannyL demonstrates this DIY closet hack that's simple and cheap.
How To: Make a dainty victorian hat from a lampshade
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a Victorian hat from a lampshade with Gwen. You will need: a lampshade, scissors, acrylic paint, paint brushes, glue, a compass, and cardboard. First, take the compass and make the circle as wide as you want your hat to be, then trace your lampshade on the cardboard. Now place the small end of the lampshade around the large circle that you drew. Next, cut these circles out of the cardboard. Leave extra room, don't cut it out exactly on the line. When fin...
News: Cut & Fold Your Own DIY Prada
Prada is genius. If you're a hater, you've never been to the flagship store on Broadway in NYC. The fashion powerhouse enlisted the Office for Metropolitan Architecture and Rem Koolhaas to design the space, a stunning retail location with impeccable service, rotating installations, beautiful architectural details, hypnotizing music, and a gigantic, monolithic glass elevator. (You can go on an interactive tour here).
How To: Create a high-waisted poofy skirt with Gianny L
High waists and poofy balloon skirts are both two of the hottest fashion trends this season, seen on stars like Lauren Conrad and Jessica Simpson (yes, of the famous "Mom jean" snafu).
News: Fashion Loves the Pixel
Not since JC de Castelbajac's infectiously fun LEGO fashion line have I seen such energetic geek-inspired ware. Japanese designer Kunihiko Morinaga pays homage to ye olde 8-bit days with his extensive catwalk of video game inspired womenswear—ranging from dresses to suits to streetwear. The pixel-printed Fall/Winter 2011/2012 collection debuted during Tokyo Fashion Week under his label Anrealage. Not only did the models don classic pixel prints, but they also strutted to a live pianist perfor...
Sewing the Invisible: Jum Nakao's Paper Couture
The challenge of creating garments with unconventional materials has become an all too familiar gimmick for most first year students at fashion schools. The end result is more often than not a catwalk of garbage bags, zip ties, plastic bottles and cans, assembled into a menagerie of mediocrity. Enter Jum Nakao. But while the Japanese-Brasilian artist/fashion designer does use an unconventional and impractical material (paper) for his collection "A Costura do Invisivel"(translation: "Sewing th...
How To: Tie dye a shirt with the sunburst technique
Most people (who have never done tie dye before) think that tie dye is simply squirting a bunch of psychadelic colors onto tied up fabric and going crazy with it. But there's more to tie dye than trippy rainbow hues and organic designs. There is more than one way to add a tie dye effect to a shirt or scarf.
News: Alexander McQueen's Final Collection Is Strikingly Sci-Fi
Sci-fi being just one descriptor, the late Alexander McQueen's final Spring 2010 collection draws inspiration from that and much more.
News: Handmade Living Paper Dolls
Inspired by Jules Verne sea demons, Bea Szenfeld's “Sur la Plage” collection includes 12 pieces handcrafted with cardboard. The idea of unconventional material constraints is a classic art school "test", as well as a typical (and somewhat tired) formula for competitive design reality shows. However, Szenfeld's garments do transcend the material and would surely win any Project Runway challenge.
News: There Are Some Things a Dress Should Hide
Um, genital anatomy is probably one of them. The image below first turned up on Buzzfeed, leading to shock, awe, and lots of head scratching over who could have possibly come up with such an interesting contribution to the world of fashion...
How To: Make a mini chapstick holder with duct tape
OK, you love your chapstick, but you don't love the generic look of it's container. Well, grab that handy duct tape and pimp that chapstick holder out! In this short, simple tutorial you can create a decorative chapstick holder that's sure to impress back at the ski challet.
How To: Make a guitar strap out of duct tape
Time to trade in that rainbow guitar strap from something that fits your rock n' roll attitude. Well, nothing screams grunge louder than a guitar strap made out of duct tape. This simple tutorial shows you how to wrap it up, then strap it up. Rock on!
How To: Make a small mini wallet out of duct tape
Not comfortable with your leather wallet? Even your canvas one feels a little too bourgeois? Well, grab that roll of duct tape, check out this video and learn how to make a duct tape mini-wallet, the bluest of blue collar bi-fold wallets. Be the envy of the local collision repair shop with this super cheap and easy bifold.
How To: Make a paracord bracelet using the cobra weave
A fun type of bracelet is the paracord. It is a heavy duty, unique accessory that is relatively easy to make. In this tutorial, learn how to use the cobra style weave to make a funky looking piece of jewelry. This makes a great addition to your personal style or a wonderful gift. Give it a try!
How To: Make an asymmetrical summer dress in less than two minutes
You barely even need a sewing machine to make this dress! All you need is a length of your favorite fabric. Wrap it around yourself, tie one shoulder and then sew up the side seam. Now all you need is to pick which shoes you're going to wear with it!
How To: Make a simple vest out of a scarf
If you're the youngest child and have many older brothers and sisters, it's almost certain you'll be getting hand me downs. If so, this video may be waht you are looking for. Using old worn clothing and making it into something new to wear will not only save you money, but show your other siblings that they shouldn't have given this up so easily. You'll find out how to make a simple vest out of a scarf. Enjoy!
How To: Make brooches out of felt that resemble old Hollywood stars
This tutorial uses Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn for inspiration, but you can use this to make a brooch resembling any Hollywood icon or celebrity! You will need some felt, some yarn for the hair, rhinestones for accents and a craft pen for details.
How To: You Won't Believe Just How Crazy These 75+ Nikes Are About to Get...
Did you know you can use your Nike sneakers as a fishbowl? Or video game controllers? Or dueling race cars? In honor of Nike's 78th birthday, Paul Jenkins, a graphic designer in the UK, held a themed "redesign" initiative for this year's London Design Festival. The results are incredible.
How To: Sew a simple and romantic halter dress out of scarves
This shows you how to make a beautiful and simple halter dress. You will need at least one scarf (more if they are sheer), a few yards of your favorite fabric, scissors, a needle and thread, and a measuring tape.
HowTo: Hold-No-Secrets Transparent Clutch
Like the anti-privacy spy doorknob, the transparent clutch isn't for someone with something to hide. But for those who hold no secrets, there's something truly elegant about the design, which has made an appearance on several different high fashion runways:
How To: Make a reversible polar fleece dolman sleeve jacket
This jacket requires very little fitting and is easy to make, which makes it an ideal idea as a gift. This tutorial shows you how to take any pattern for a dolman sleeve jacket and turn it into a reversible jacket. Make it out of polar fleece for a lovely winter coat.
How To: Make over a bland and boring blazer into something exciting
Have a boring, outdated blazer or jacket in your closet? This tutorial gives you some great ideas on how to turn a boring white linen blazer into something a little more stylish and trendy. You will need a sewing machine for most of these ideas.
How To: Make an applique that you can use on latex clothes
Latex can be a sexy and cool material to make fabric out of, but a plain black latex shirt can still be a bit boring. You can create your own appliques that you can apply to latex clothing using sticky paper.