Turn evening wear into everyday flair with a tux redux.  Reinventions of YSL’s famed Le Smoking jacket and dapper black-tie duds are having a major moment.  A classic blazer is forever in style and always evolving.  Since we’re all about staying on-trend by creating them, we dipped into our DIY drawers for our favorite fabric, cotton.  This soft substance plants itself into the best textile fibers and threads known to man, and breathes new life into our wardrobe. This season, look to deliciously chic cotton to kick it up a notch.  P.S. - The Fabric of Our Lives® makes so many DIY’s come to life!

Lay your blazer open on a flat surface. Trace the silhouette of the inside of the collar as well as inside lapel using a piece of tracing or parchment paper. Cut out the collar pattern and lapel.  Be sure to factor in an extra 1/4 inch border around each piece for hemming purposes.  Pin pattern directly onto a piece of black cotton sateen fabric and cut out two lapels and two collar pieces with fabric scissors.  To create a clean and finished look, fold edges over using fabric glue to hem.  Use fabric glue to adhere each piece in its appropriate place.  Use your hands to smooth down and help set.  Cut a piece of fabric that is approximately a 5 inch square. Size will depend on your preference of pocket square and size of area you have to work with.  Fold back and glue the outside edge for a clean look.  Gather by pinching and folding and stitch directly onto the blazer for a faux handkerchief look.  Use corresponding color thread so thread is not noticeable.  Lastly, swap original buttons for a metallic gold or your favorite luxe option and stitch on.

 Get creative with your cotton color combinations and experiment by mixing patterns.  It’s the perfect opportunity to re purpose, re-create and re-invent. P.S. - The Fabric of Our Lives® makes us come alive with DIY.

Comfort plus cuteness makes for a winning combo, so punch up your look with a poncho!   Create a fresh look by reinventing a classic piece and stay cozy with this nouveau hoodie overhaul.

To create, make a cut from the side seam of the sweatshirt body as well as each side of the inner-arm.  Open up the neckline with a crew neck cut-out.  Be sure to cut ONLY the top layer so you don’t loose the hood.  Close up the back by pinning large safety pins (or feel free to sew) across your new open seam. Cut the bottom sides (both front and back) into a curved shape, keeping the back a bit longer than the front.  Secure the sleeve to the torso, which creates a poncho silhouette. Use large safety pins and pin approximately halfway down the bodice.  For the armhole, attach buttons on the top and bottom front sections.  Use any button you like and attach with safety pins or sew. Use the same buttons to add accents to the shoulder seam.

Burgundy, merlot and cabernet wine…their rich and mighty hues add great flavor to design.  Lanvin recently created yummy earmuffs in this of-the-moment shade.  Get inspired, stay warm, and feel good with a fuzzy fix!

To create your own: fold a piece of felt in half, which will be the base of the earmuff.  Trace and cut a circle leaving approximately 3 inches flat on the bottom fold.  The size of the circle can vary per person.  You will need two of these felt rounds.  When open flat, circles should be connected in the middle.  Apply small amounts of glue onto the outside of the felt, and begin wrapping around a fur or faux fur strand, gently holding it in place until set.  Continue to glue and coil inward until you reach the center. When completely covered, trim excess fur.  Attach each muff by sandwiching them outside of a headband, gluing insides of felt together.  

P.S.  We’re also over-the-moon for these fox fur headphones from Beats by Oscar de la Renta…check them out! 

New year = new you!  Sparkle and shine for a fete that’s finer then fine this New Year’s Eve.  Expect jaws to drop (along with the ball) while you ring in 2012.  Get inspired by over-the-top glitz and glam for a decadent DIY stunner. Re-purpose brooches in your jewelry box, or pick up a few at flea markets or on eBay.

To create, pin several brooches, arranged in a bib-like formation onto a piece of felt. Outline the bib shape with chalk and cut out around the brooches.  You may need to sew a few stitches on the backside of the felt if brooches are weighing down the fabric, as you want them to lay flat.  Flip over necklace base and sew a chain onto the back. Use a new chain or opt for one from an old necklace for an extra special touch.

P.S.- Here’s to a happy, healthy & crafty 2012!

All hail McQueen!  Keep your manicure out and about, while your palm stays calm and carries on.   Alexander McQueen’s fingerless gloves inspired these delicious DIY glovettes, created with our friends at Who What Wear.  To create your own pair, cut the feet off of a pair of socks, which leaves you with a “tube”.  Cut all of the fingers off minus the thumb then snip off approximately 1/2” of thumb’s fingertip. Make a 1”-vertical slit on the outside of the tube to create the thumb hole.  Slide gloves inside the tube, pulling the thumb through the hole.  Find two sparkly brooches or buttons and glue thin tube shaped beads with a hot glue gun or super glue.  Once dry, pin or sew to the top of the glove.  

Plug in and let your holiday DIY garland shine bright and beautifully.  P.S.- Pair garland with live green garland for an extra decadent look.