Blog Archives: June 2009

Blog: ThreadBanger

Michael Jackson's Fashion Highs

 Truth be told, not many people can pull off the sequined glove on a walk to the bus stop, let alone rock it into incredible cultural notoriety on a moon walk. Self-expression through fashion is hard to do, but MJ always seemed to stick to his own style, as strange as it seemed at times.  Mic

Blog: Projects

DIY Wedding Pearls, Style Me Pretty

 For the bride, or not, this jewelry project adorns your neckline with a self-determined elegance - you can make it as playful, colorful, or simple as you'd like - and it sends stares up - toward your beautiful face!  Fancy up those collar bones with help from the full tutorial from Style Me Prett

Blog: ThreadBanger

Book Review: Kanzashi in Bloom

Kanzashi in Bloom, by Diane Gilleland, is a great, all-around book about the art of fabric folding, kanzashi. Kanzashi has been getting public attention lately, with it's positive exposure by Kanzashi-fan Michele Obama. She has been seen at numerous events wearing fabric flowered pins styled in the

Blog: Projects

Weekly DIY Roundup: Spinning Yarn!

   Last Friday I took a trip down to Eugene, Oregon with some fiber-loving friends to check out Black Sheep Gathering, where my excitement about spinning yarn was refreshed and I couldn't wait to get back to my wheel!  One of my friends bought herself a wheel, and another bought some rovi

Blog: ThreadBanger

Halloweeny Wedding

Blog: ThreadBanger

Wedding Cupcakes for the DIYer on a Budget

In honor of DIY Wedding Month and the birthday cupcake I got to eat at work: save on an expensive wedding cake and make your own cupcakes -- which can be done beforehand and are easier to transport than a cake.WARNING: these photos look delicious, but are not edible. Nor does any of this require an

Blog: Decor It Yourself

Candle Lantern How-To

   Apartment Therapy featured this lovely candle lantern how-tp. They must have known that today's episode of Decor It Yourself would be DIY Weddings, Part 2, focuses on lighting.      How pretty would a cluster of these lanterns behanging from the branches of the trees surrounding the recep

Blog: ThreadBanger

Weddings: For what you can't DIY, there's still handmade

Four of my friends got engaged this week, which certainly got me thinking about weddings  - not to mention it's also DIY wedding month! Since Meg has the DIY of it covered, it's worth it to think about wedding essentials that are more difficult to DIY. Items such as jewelry and the wedding dress c

Blog: ThreadBanger

Rob and Corinne on ABC!

 This morning, Rob and Corinne explained the history of Threadbanger and how their own interests in environmentalism, crafting and saving money turned into a successful new media show!  Check out how our favorite hosts discussed the blooming DIY fashion and decor world with the entire country here

Blog: ThreadBanger

Craftin' Ain't Easy: We Want to Know What You Think

Crafting Ain't Easy: We Want to Hear What You're Thinking from Carlin Cwik on Vimeo. Craftin’ ain’t easy.  As you know.  If the voices of our viewers fail to come through on our shows, we’re ultimately purposeless.  So, I just wanted to remind you all to keep submitting video testimonials.

Blog: ThreadBanger

Dollar Store Crafts: Jewelry Organization

I'm a fan of organizing your jewelry in a way that shows it off because you can only wear so much jewelry at once, but you can enjoy it ALL if you display it. Here are some of my favorite dollar store projects for organizing your jewelry:  Vintage-Style Jewelry Frame Display: Make for $2 O

Blog: ThreadBanger

Celebrity DIY Style: Celebrity Weddings

   Whether you're a celebrity or not, one thing that rings true for everyone - all eyes are on the bride which means, it's all about the dress.  If you're planning a wedding on a budget, a true DIY girl and want to create your own gown, or just don't want a 'cookie cutter' dress, it's tim

Blog: ThreadBanger

Renegade Craft Fair Wrap-Up

Admittedly, The Renegade Craft Fair is over a week past, but I still thought it would be nice to highlight the stand-outs at this year's Brooklyn edition!(photo credit: Renegade) The gorgeous weather helped make for a wonderful event; attendees gathering in great numbers, forcing the tables to sta

Blog: Projects

Weekly DIY Roundup: Pillowcase Projects!

 Pillowcases feel like the perfect summer crafting material to me - lightweight, colorful (often flowery) prints, small for quick projects... Betz White has recently posted about her pillowcase inspiration, which led her to design this shirred pillowcase top, and share a tutorial on the Craft blog!

Blog: Decor It Yourself

DIY Wedding Decor Round-Up

 Since June is DIY wedding month, Threadbanger is offering you episodes on the matter. For even more handmade wedding ideas and projects, here is the round-up!  To get your start creating a romantic aesthetic, see how http://www.apartmenttherapy.com">Apartment Therapy make your own http://www.apar

Blog: ThreadBanger

Clearly something's changed: New Site Design Explained!

 You found me!  What I mean is, you found the blog.  Just like a lot of things on the site, the blog landing point has been shuffled a bit, given its own, much deserved terrain if you will. But it's important to note that nothing has been destroyed.  You could argue that we've just organized thi

Blog: ThreadBanger

Make your own swimsuit cover-up: Contest from Make Magazine

 Last week we showed you how to knit a bikini top and today, Craftzine/MAKE magazine and Singer are asking you to stitch up your own beach attire for the Swimsuit Cover-Up Contest going on through July 16th, 2009.  The grand prize? A Singer Fashion Mate Sewing Machine!  Once the entries are all i

Blog: ThreadBanger

Best Dollar Store Projects: June Jewelry

It's easy to spice up your accessories with quick and simple projects made from stuff from the dollar store and beyond! Here are my favorite dollar store jewelry projects from the past few weeks: Vintage-Inspired Rose Earrings: Make for $1.10Grosgrain made these romantic rose earrings using vintage

Blog: ThreadBanger

TBGuild: June's Spotlight 'Banger

 I have chosen Makaalohilohi to be our June Spotlight Banger of the Month! She has posted amazing projects, such as her moss garden in a bottle, and some amazing wire work.Her awesome tutorial on her beautiful reversible circle scarf and techniques on crocheting are just what Threadheads like

Blog: ThreadBanger

Celebrity DIY Style: Mens Boardshorts and Swimming Trunks

   Summer has finally arrived which means celebrities (and presidents) are on vacation and hitting the beach.  Since Father's Day is this weekend, instead of focusing in on this season's bikinis, let's sew up something just for the guys - boardshorts!  Probably one of the most ready-to-w

Blog: Projects

Weekly DIY Roundup: Music Projects!

  My partner is following his musical dreams and starting a mastering studio here in Portland, so to celebrate that and to inspire other musicians and music lovers, here is a musical roundup for everyone!  Make magazine's blog posts and points to tons of music projects for the tech-savvy, like

Blog: ThreadBanger

Connecting to your Heritage through Crafting

Like many crafters out there, I learned most everything I know about sewing, knitting and wielding a hot glue gun from my mother and grandmother. In every piece you make, there is a link connecting you with those teachers and also with your ancestors and heritage. This is the idea behind the Brookl

Blog: ThreadHeads

Worn Out: Street Style Pics

   Yo guys! Here are my top 5 favorite street style looks from the last few weeks - leave your thoughts in the comments section, and here we go: These first two looks (the left from a May 21 post at Copenhagen Street Style; the right from June 8 at The Sartorialist) were just so Northeaste

Blog: Projects

No need to buy new, recycling old candle wax is simple

 Photo Credit: Jenny's ProjectsHave lots of old used up candles lying around and don't want to drop a wad at Pier 1 for new ones?  Me either. Check out this tutorial on how to recycle the wax remnants of old candles. Once you have the refurbished wax, you have tons of options for making cool cand

Blog: ThreadBanger

Gift Guide for Dad: Etsy helps you out with Father's Day

 Every holiday is tough, at least for me, but Father's Day has got to be one of the most difficult gift-giving holidays out there.  Luckily, Etsy puts together gift guides, and although I write up a blog post for almost every holiday on their lists, I just can't help reminding ya'll of how sweet a

Blog: ThreadHeads

Celebrity DIY Style: Mariah Carey's Lace Insert Dress

   Embellishments can turn a simple garment and transform it into something new and spectacular.  A good case in point - Mariah Carey's strapless gown with side lace insert.  Altering a pattern such as Vogue 2481 (which has a similar strapless, gathered side seam design) to include an in

Blog: ThreadHeads

Hammer Pants Flash Mob

Hilarious.

Blog: Projects

Weekly DIY Roundup: Rainbow Pride Projects!

   In honor of Pride Month, this week I bring you rainbow projects!  So much bright rainbowy goodness out there!!  Just for fun, I'll start with the food.... Omnomicon has a fabulous, detailed how-to for this awesome rainbow cake! (the above photo is from the same post.)WikiHow shows us

Blog: ThreadHeads

Renegade Brooklyn: Crafting Up McCarren this Weekend

 Renegade's 2009 season is kicking off in Brooklyn, New York this week! The 5th Annual Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn will take place in Greenpoint's McCarren Park Saturday, June 6th and 7th from 11am - 7pm. According to the official site, the artist list is up.  Visit it here for a preview! 

Blog: ThreadHeads

Knitta, Please: Guerilla Knitting in Brooklyn

Montague Street, the main strip in Brooklyn Heights, is showcasing a DIY knitting installation this month led by Knitta, Please crafter and founder Magda Sayeg.  Over 50 volunteers knit cozies around parking meters, essentially "yarn bombing" the block to make a statement about the DIY movement. 

Blog: ThreadHeads

How To Make a DIY Patch

  I've been nothing short of OBSESSED lately with all things motorcycle-related; I LIFE image-search through pictures of Hell's Angels and I regularly find myself typing phrases like "LEATHER FRINGE AMERICAN FLAG VEST" into late night eBay searches. This was all bound to find its way into

Blog: ThreadHeads

Celebrity DIY Style: Balmain Jackets

   While it looks like these celebrities are channeling Michael Jackson, what they are wearing are the latest trend in outerwear - Balmain Jackets.  These coats with the severe shoulder pads have been seen on stars such as Rihanna, Beyonce, and Victoria Beckham.  While there are no jacke