So...Buttons.

One of the most simple, and inexpensive ways to dress up an old garment of clothing is by changing the buttons.  I am a huge fan of button up shirts, as well as blazers which usually have one button to close the front. 

When i went shopping to purchase some, I brought the articles of clothing with me to match up the buttons with the fabric. It also allows you to keep track of how many buttons you need to buy.

 

I ended up spending under $30 for all of my choices!

Now the removal and sewing begins.

You'll need a thread remover tool (about $2)

Place thread remover under the button and through the thread you wish to remove.

There will be thread left over so get out your scissors and cut it off your garment.

Find matching thread, measure it arms length apart. Insert into the needle and get your button ready.

Don't forget to knot the end of your thread.

Start from the inside of the item you are sewing the button to.

Once you the thread through the first time, place the needle between your thread and pull it through. This will make an extra knot and add security to your button.

Sew your thread through the fabric about 5 times before you are ready to add the button. When you are ready thread through the button.

Sew the button through the fabric about 5 times, or until you believe it's secure.

For extra staying power thread the needle through the thread behind the button.

Knot and cut off remaining thread.

 

Finished product, plus the rest of my newly revamped clothing.

Last but not least, my favorite!

Now go through your closet and see what you can improve with the help of some fancy buttons.

XO

How to stud an article of clothing.

On the menu today, we have an old thrift find I discovered about 3 years ago at The Salvation Army in Middletown, NY. A little black, little boys blazer--a petite young lady's dream, really. I already have two black blazers, this one being more fitted, so i thought why not add some edge to it.

I decided to mix it up and do a combination of brass and silver hardware, that way I  don't have to go crazy about which jewelry matches or not (an old obsession of mine).  The studs i will be using are from studsandspikes.com. Shipping was lightning quick.

Before doing anything, I like to layout the pattern I will be executing. It's acts as a visual of the finished product and gives you an idea of what works for the garment. Of course this is entirely up to you, and what you want the end result to be.

Some of the studs points may be too dull to manually insert into the fabric you are working with, thats where a good knife comes into play. In this case the silver ones needed some assistance.

Here we go! Press the stud into the starting point of the fabric to make a perforation.

Pierce the fabric using the guidelines of the perforations.

Some of the prongs of the stud may need to be straightened out before placing into the fabric. This can simply be done with a pair of pliers.  

Press the stud through the holes you created.

Now bring the pliers back into the game, and get ready to bend the prongs of the stud to set it in place.

The next stud I like to place is what i call "the end point stud". If this is done, there is no way you can screw up the pattern you want to accomplish.

Now you are ready for the brass studs. The points on these were sharp enough to pierce the fabric on there own. You are just going to repeat the whole process as shown above.

One pocket done!

Fin!

Remember that you can always go and add more to your creation, but with a lot of D.I.Y. projects, especially ones involving clothing, it is difficult, and sometimes impossible to go back and make changes. Once you cut into a shirt--that's that. I myself have ruined amazing clothing attempting to create something more from it. It's just a matter of learning from your mistakes, and remembering to do it better next time. Never give up!

I went ahead and added some more. I'm sort of obsessed :)

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