What have you guys found to be the best DIY materials? So far, I have a glue gun, black dye and 6 feet of nylon strapping from the local fabric store and a shitload of D and O rings and I've made very interesting shirts (I would post them up but I don't have a picture host.)

I use what ther are at hand and it usually turns out ok.

At the moment i am trying to find out how to make your own prints on t/shirts, i am using Chalk or Charcoal to do the outline/sketch of the picture i want and going to buy some clothing colors to colorize it.

If someone has a better way please let me now .



Edited By Twisted_Illusions on 1110216879

The correct way to make your own shirt designs is with screen printing.

When I was a kid, I would draw a picture on wax paper with crayon (very heavily coloured in) and iron the image onto a white shirt. It washed out quite a bit after a few washes.

That was a great link, Luna. Thanks. I've been experimenting with stenciling just recently.

Something new I'm trying is embroidery. It's time consuming as hell, so you have to pick your project carefully. I just finished a black twill fitted cami, and did a little girl on the front w/ "Hussy" embroidered beside her. My girlfriend loved it (bday present).

Knife, thread, and a needle with materials such as: old/worn shirts/pants, straps, D-rings, buttons, laces, and white spray paint (If I can make it work on leather).

Sometimes it's hard not to go too far. It can be difficult not to overdo an artical of clothing when you have so many different things at your fingertips.

My #1 fabric is cotton, be it 100% cotton gabardine, blend or anything of the likes. Very nice to handle, looks good in both casual and party wear and feels comfy. Of course my sewing machine and overlock machine are the most valuable friends in my DIY works, since I really hate sewing by hand and they raise the quality of the product an awful lot. The overlock machine is a treasure to me.

I also love working with fur and net fabrics, though tulle is awful when you try to make a petticoat out of it.

The main kind of DIY I do is embellishing things rather than starting from scratch...
Buckles can be great to add interest to garments.
Velvet and satin ribbons in red and black to trim things
Studs and eyelets
Black and white lace trimmings which can be added to sleeves
Tulle is excellent for adding to skirts...

You're DIY techniques are very similar to mine.
I also embellish my existing clothes, by adding bits and pieces here and there.
Craft shops are extremely full of little buckles, hinges, eyelets etc.
With a luxuriant imagination, creations of originality and interest are easy to attain.

Forgot to mention, I believe adding interesting DIY items should be done in moderation.
Sometimes, over doing it all will only look tacky, and appear to the onlooker that you want attention and to be noticed. In other words - don't look like a try hard. Be original!



Edited By Catwhiskers on 1114926473