Renew summer flip-flops
Renew summer flip-flops

NEW YORK, Apr 1, 2009 / FW/ — Recycling takes on a new meaning at Handwork Studio as it uses the techniques of arts and crafts to turn trash into fashionable and wearable items.

And just to start you off, here are a few ideas:

Renew summer flip-flops: Wrap pieces of ribbon, fun fur or fleece around the straps. Hot glue a flower or other embellishment for additional chic.

Add new life to an old sweater: One of this year’s hottest trends is felting. Put an old sweater in a hot washer. This will cause it to shrink, aka “felt.” From this dense fabric you can make warm leggings from the sleeves, bags out of the body, even cut squares to use as patches on jeans.

Braiding… not just for hair any longer: Try Kumihimo, the Japanese art of braiding, to snazz up sneakers with decorative, new laces.

Did some say “the 70s”? Cut the legs off an old pair of jeans and sew the torso portion closed across the bottom. Add a Kumihimo braid through the belt loops for a strap. Embroider or embellish as desired.

More tips are available at MyHandworkStudio.com.

If you live around the Narberth, Pennsylvania area, you can learn all of these hands on at Handwork Studio, a Kids’ Needle Arts, Textile and Fashion Studio.

To celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd, Handwork Studio will hold three in-studio ‘Trashion’ workshops wherein each craft taught will recycle what some perceive as trash into something fashionable and wearable.

Visit MyHandworkStudio.com for registration information.

April 4, 2009: Recycle Plastic Bags into a Fashionable Totebag and Belt:Create a fashionable plote (plastic tote) and belt using plarn (plastic yarn) made from recycled plastic bags.

April 18, 2009: Recycle Clothes into a Funky Wristlet:
Turn old cotton t-shirts and pajamas into cool woven zippered wristlets.

April 25, 2009: Recycle Old Shirts into Fun Skirts:
Take your old shirts and turn them into “shkirts” — skirts made from old shirts.

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