How to Make Clothes Look Vintage

How to Make Clothes Look Vintage



Major American retailers make millions of dollar each year offering lines of "new" clothing, like t-shirts and jeans, that are "distressed" for a vintage look. Garments that look worn, lend an air of comfort and ease, which is why they're so popular.









Step
1



Use medium grit (80 to 120) sandpaper to distress fabrics. Lay the item on a flat work surface. Slide a cutting board behind the area to be distressed.




Step
2



Sand along the front of a color cotton t-shirt where the collar meets the body of the shirt. Use the sand paper to scuff over the area of the breast pocket and along the waistline where a belt buckle rubs the fabric.




Step
3



Wash and dry new jeans before distressing them. Use the sandpaper across the seat of the jean, along the edge of the front pockets and at the knees. Use varying pressure with the sandpaper to wear some areas thinner than others.




Step
4



Take a single-edged razor blade and make a shallow cut just below the area of the knee of the jeans. Put the jeans on and squat down to tear through the cuts. Wash the jeans to fray the tears.




Step
5



Scuff up the collar and cuffs of long-sleeved shirts. Sand each of the buttons a little bit to give them an aged look.




Step
6



Add shoulder pads to a thrift shop sport coat to give it a retro look. Cuff the sleeves back over themselves twice to show off a silk lining. Replace the button with large, four-hole buttons or, for women, shank buttons with filigree trim.







Tips & Warnings









Chlorine bleach fades color but also weakens fibers.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2270828_make-clothes-look-vintage.html

How to Make Chocolate Icing

How to Make Chocolate Icing



Chocolate icing is so yummy on cakes, cupcakes and brownies. Here is a simple recipe for making chocolate icing from scratch.







Things You'll Need:





1/4 cup melted butter (not margarine)



1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder



1/3 cup milk



1 tsp. vanilla extract



1/4 tsp. salt



3 cups confectioners sugar









Step
1



Gather the ingredients needed. You will also need a large mixing bowl, a beater and a spatula.




Step
2



In the large bowl, combine the butter and cocoa powder. For a better consistency, do not use margarine in place of butter. Beat these ingredients on a medium speed until mixed thoroughly.




Step
3



Next, add in the milk, vanilla extract and salt. Beat at medium speed until smooth.




Step
4



Gradually add in the confectioners sugar, continuing to beat a medium speed until the icing is smooth and creamy. For a thinner icing, add 1/2 teaspoon of milk while beating.


http://www.ehow.com/how_2290975_make-chocolate-icing.html

How to Make Boxer Shorts

How to Make Boxer Shorts



Boxer shorts are a relatively easy sewing project, and you can make them for both men and women. A popular alternative to jockey shorts for men and comfortable sleep or athletic apparel for women, boxer shorts can be made by following a simple sewing pattern.







Things You'll Need:





Fabric and notions



Chalk or colored pencil and pins



Sewing pattern



Sewing scissors



Thread



Sewing machine









Step
1



Choose your fabric. Popular choices range far beyond regular cotton. Try silk, crepe de chine, flannelette or a silky synthetic fiber.




Step
2



Purchase a boxer shorts sewing pattern from your local sewing shop or an online retailer of sewing products. You can find a popular variant at Sew Thankful (see Resources below).




Step
3



Follow the instructions included with your sewing pattern to transfer the outline of the pattern onto the material you've chosen to use to make the boxer shorts. Cut the fabric, marking the center-front line on both the left and right sides of the material, since this is where your fly is going to be.




Step
4



Set the lower portion of the front crotch curve by sewing a line that runs about 5/8 inch from the inside of the leg to 5/8 inch above the front of the fly. Your seam allowance should wind up about 1/4 inch from the stitching that defines your crotch curve.




Step
5



Choose a side for your fly front to lap over. Usually, men's boxer shorts have a fly lap that runs left-over-right and vice versa for women. With a colored pencil or piece of chalk, mark the side that's going to lap over with an "LO" and the side that you plan to lap under with an "LU."




Step
6



Use about 1/4 inch of fabric for your lap under. Make sure your lap folds match up with your center-front line, and allow about 1/8 inch of breathing room to either side when you sew the fold.




Step
7



Use horizontal topstitching across the top and bottom edges of the fly to complete it. The fly's top edge should be at least 2 inches beneath the eventual location of the elastic waistband.




Step
8



Join the back to the front at the inner-leg seam of each side of the shorts.




Step
9



Pin and sew your crotch curves, clip them and finish your seam.




Step
10



Finish the hem. Each leg will have a raw edge dangling. Fold it under to the desired length, and then pin it down and hold it in place with topstitching.




Step
11



Add the elastic waistband. Fold the width of the elastic band you're going to use, plus 1/4 inch of extra fabric, into the "wrong side" of the boxer shorts. This will form the casing, which you will now close with a topstitch.







Tips & Warnings









Boxer shorts do not need to be fitted, since they are designed to be loose-fitting items of clothing. You simply need to know the waist size of the wearer, and even then you still have flexibility because of the elasticity of the waistband.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2214908_make-boxer-shorts.html

How to Make Bottle Cap Earrings

How to Make Bottle Cap Earrings



Would you like to make an artsy pair of earrings and recycle at the same time? Why not try your hand at creating bottle cap earrings? If you purchased these at a craft gallery, you'd likely pay a small fortune, but you can make them quickly and easily at home for almost nothing. So, start collecting those bottle caps and get ready to make bottle cap earrings.







Things You'll Need:





Two bottle caps of your choice



Base metal wire in a color that matches



Two silver tone fishhook earring findings (also available at craft and bead stores)



Silver tone 22 gauge craft wire



Several small beads of your choice to coordinate with your bottle caps (make sure the hole is large enough to fit onto your craft wire)



Round nose pliers



Access to an electric drill









Step
1



Gather your supplies

Save bottle caps at home in a jar so you can use them in the future for making bottle cap earrings. You should be able to get the remainder of your supplies at your local craft or bead store.




Step
2



Prepare your bottle caps

After you've selected the bottle caps to use for your earrings, drill a hole into each bottle cap about a quarter inch below the outer rim. The hole should be large enough to insert your jump ring.




Step
3



Attach jump rings

Use your flat nose pliers to open each of your two jump rings by gently separating the ends. Slide the open end of your jump ring onto the hole drilled in the bottle cap. Use your pliers to close the jump ring securely so that the ends touch without a gap.




Step
4



Add beads

Lay out the beads you want to add to your design. Cut a length of craft wire about an inch longer than your chosen beads. Using your round nose pliers, make a small loop at one end of the wire and attach it to the jump ring of each bottle cap before closing it off with your pliers. Add your beads to the length of wire before making another round loop at the top to attach to your earring hook.




Step
5



Attach the earring hooks

You're not ready to attach your fish hook ear wires to complete you bottle cap earrings. To do this, gently separate the loop on a fish hook ear wire and insert the top loop you made previously on your craft wire holding the beads. Close off the earring wire securely using your round nose pliers. You now have a completed pair of dangly, bottle cap earrings complete with beads.







Tips & Warnings









If you want to simplify this project, you can skip the beads and attach the fish hook ear wire directly to the jump rings on your bottle caps for super quick and easy bottle cap earrings.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2198368_bottle-cap-earrings.html

How to Make Bermuda Shorts

How to Make Bermuda Shorts



Bermuda shorts are popular warm-weather clothes for both men and women. These loose-fitting, casual-wear shorts usually come to within about 1 inch of the knee, and you can make a pair by cutting up old pants or following a specialty sewing pattern.







Things You'll Need:





Sewing pattern



Old pants or jeans



Medium-weight woven fabric



Fly zipper



Waistband



Elastic backing







Make Bermuda Shorts From a Pattern




Step
1



Visit your local sewing store to find a Bermuda shorts pattern. Often, these are considered "retro" patterns, owing to the fact that Bermuda shorts were most popular during the 1960s. Also, you can check for short-pants patterns that double as Bermuda shorts like those at Pattern Review (see Resources below).




Step
2



Use a woven, medium-weight fabric to make your Bermuda shorts. Recommended choices include denim, linen, heavy cotton, chino and twill.




Step
3



Follow the specific directions given in your sewing pattern. These will vary considerably from pattern to pattern. However, no matter which pattern you pick, you'll need to delineate a center-front line, add the zipper, sew in crotch curves and hem the legs.




Step
4



Allow extra fabric if you want to add a cuff to the bottom of your shorts. You should allow an extra 1/2 inch of fabric to tuck into the cuff you form before you sew the hem.




Step
5



Finish the shorts by sewing in the waistband or the elastic backing. Do this by turning the shorts inside out and placing the waistband or elastic where you want it, allowing about 1/2 inch of extra fabric atop the waistband. Fold that extra fabric down, use it to secure the waistband in place and seal the deal by topstitching it into place.


Turn Old Jeans Into Bermuda Shorts




Step
1



Mark the point at which you want your Bermuda shorts to end. Usually, they fall about 1 inch above the knee.




Step
2



Use sharp sewing scissors to cut the legs off your jeans or pants at the point you've marked.




Step
3



Add colorful sew-on or press-on patches to decorate your new Bermuda shorts. A wide variety of colorful patches and accessories will be available at your local sewing center. You can also find lots to choose from at a site like Trim Fabric (see Resources below).







Tips & Warnings









If you convert an old pair of jeans into Bermuda shorts, you can use a utility knife to scrape the bottom of your shorts and create a frayed look.








Allow for shrinkage when you make your initial fabric cuts. Cotton in particular loses about 5 to 10 percent of its total size after its first time through the washer and dryer.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2214909_make-bermuda-shorts.html

How to Make Basketball Shorts

How to Make Basketball Shorts



There's nothing quite like the comfort of customized
sports
apparel. If you want to make your own basketball shorts or make a pair for your family's favorite hoops nut, you'll need a pattern, the right fabric, equipment and a little sewing know-how. With a little care and effort, your homemade basketball shorts will be a slam dunk.







Things You'll Need:





Waistband elastic (with optional drawstring)



Fabric and notions



Sewing pattern









Step
1



Buy a pattern for the basketball shorts. A site like Langs Sporting Goods can give you ideas for fabric styles and contrasts popularly used (see Resources below).




Step
2



Consult the person for whom you're making the shorts. Find out whether he has any specific style preferences--basketball shorts are usually worn longer than they used to be. If so, simply follow the directions on the pattern, allowing for the appropriate amount of extra length.




Step
3



Choose a specialty fabric, such as polyester-dazzle cloth or polyester-mesh fabric. Basketball shorts are usually made from breathable material and are often made of fabric with a shiny or glossy finish.




Step
4



Trace the pattern on the fabric, using pins to delineate the grain lines, center-front line, leg sides and leg bottoms. Exact directions will vary from pattern to pattern, so read and follow the instructions closely.




Step
5



Cut the fabric, marking the hips, waist and inseams with notches or pins. Work from the outside in, sewing the outsides of the legs together first and working your way in to sew the crotch seams. It is not necessary to make a fly on a pair of basketball shorts.




Step
6



Hem the leg openings to create a smooth, even finish. Tuck 1/4 inch of material up inside the leg openings, and secure it by sewing it into place.




Step
7



Add the waistband last. To sew the waistband, turn the fabric inside out and place your waistband elastic about 1/2 inch beneath the top of the shorts. Fold the 1/2 inch (or so) of material down over the waistband and sew it into place using a topstitch.







Tips & Warnings









If you're using a shrinkable fabric, allow some extra length when you make the basketball shorts. Some fabrics contract as much as 20 percent after the first run through the washer and dryer. If you're in doubt, ask a sales associate at the fabric store for advice.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2214910_make-basketball-shorts.html

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