DIY Chain Boot Straps

Hello there Lovelees!

We all have those perfect boots - you wear them so much that they start feeling a little boring.Today's DIY is the best way to spruce up a basic pair of black boots. Sure, the chain straps look pretty darn cool, but they're removable too! You don't have to completely sacrifice your favorite boots and they're even more wearable.

I was first inspired to add heavy chain embellishments to my boots when I saw this pair by Givenchy. But this tutorial from A Pair & A Spare showed me that I could make them removable too! Here's my take:

Materials:
- a pair of boots
- curb chain (about 40cm)
- 2 hair elastics...trust me!
- 8 jump rings
- pliers

- optional: embroidery thread

Instructions:

1. Measure then cut the chain so it wraps around the top of the boot. I would suggest for you to remove one or two links so it will be really snug with the elastic.

2. Attach one jump ring to each end of the chain.

3. Open another jump ring and add on to one of the rings from the previous step. Then link on a hair elastic.

4. Link the same elastic to the other end of the chain with two more jump rings.

5.Repeat steps 1-4 for the other boot.

6. I wrapped embroidery thread around the middle of the elastics. This is to prevent the elastics from snagging and pulling the whole strap off.

Now just slip these babies on over the toe of each boot, and your good to go! The heavy curb chain adds just the right touch of edge to your basic boots. Go ahead and try this out, it's just too easy.

Love,
Rachelle
@RachelleMLee     @MakeYouLoveLee

DIY Pyramid Purse

Hey Lovelees!

The idea for this fuzzy pyramid first began when I saw this pyramid bag from Love Aesthetics. I followed her tutorial, but decided to add a zipper to make it a purse/clutch to make this structural and architectural piece more functional. And then I saw shaggy felt from Michaels (meaning: no hemming!) and I got working right away. It's surprisingly easy, so give it a shot!

Materials:

- felt
- zipper
- chain (I used an old necklace)
- hole punch
- large jump ring
- scissors
- needle and thread / sewing machine

- optional: eyelet setter

Instructions:

1. Cut out a rectangle from the felt, about 42 cm x 20 cm.

2. Sew the 2 shorter ends together, with the right sides facing each other. This will create a tube.

3. Turn the tube right sides out. Pin the zipper on of the open sides of the tube. The end of the zipper should be at the seam you just made in the previous step.

4. Sew the zipper to the felt. I would suggest hand stitching to avoid having to awkwardly position it with a machine.

5. Turn the bag inside out again. Sew the other end of the tube closed, but make sure to put the seam from Step 2 in the center. This will create the 3D pyramid.

6. Punch a hole at the end of the zipper. You can add an eyelet at this point if you want! Either way, thread an open jump ring through the hole, attach the two ends of the chain, and then close the ring.

And there ya go! A cool, architectural clutch that no one else at the party will have!

 

Thanks for reading!!

Rachelle

@RachelleMLee 
@MakeYouLoveLee

DIY Zipper Pants

Hello my lovelees!

We all have an old pair of pants that are in need of a little extra TLC. Just add some zippers and you've got a new, edgy addition to your wardrobe. I used a geometric pattern to create the illusion of panels, and it turned out looking pretty darn cool. So go on, shop your closet and try this out!

Materials:

- a pair of pants or jeans
- 2 5-inch zippers
- 2 7-inch zippers
- 2 8-inch zippers

- needle and thread/sewing machine
- scissors
- ruler
- marker
- pins

Instructions:

1. Use a seam ripper to remove 5 inches from the inside seams of one leg.

2. Pin one 5-inch zipper to this opening

3. Measure a 7 inch straight diagonal line from the inside seam to the outer seam. Make sure that this line continues from the top of the zipper in Step 2.

3. Mark this line and cut out.

4. Pin one 7-inch zipper to this diagonal opening.

5. About 5 inches above this line, measure and mark another diagonal line that is 8 inches. The two diagonal lines should be parallel to each other. Cut out.

6. Pin one 8-inch zipper to this opening.

7. Repeat Steps 1-7 on the other pants leg.

8. Sew on the zippers carefully. It's easier to sew them one while the zipper is open. I also suggest occasionally closing and opening the zippers while you're sewing to make sure you didn't accidentally sew too close to the metal teeth.

And there you have it: an old pair of pants that now feel new and trendy!

Happy DIYing!

Rachelle
Follow me on Twitter @RachelleMLee @MakeYouLoveLee
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