Consider the fabric type

The fabric type is a vital aspect to consider when designing clothes. Fabrics fall into several categories, but we will limit them to four types for simplicity.  

Printed fabrics

These fabrics have prints on their surface, created by hand, screen, digital or roller machine or through another process. They have a simple or complex design, ranging from small polka dots or stripes to large floral or geometric points, and are generally used for designing clothing items like skirts, blouses or dresses. A great example of printed fabrics is african fabrics, which stand out for their colourful and vibrant designs. Besides clothing items, they are also suitable for making patchwork and tablecloths and even for creating works of art!

Plain fabrics

These fabrics generally have a single colour, and no pattern or texture is used on them. They can consist of different fibres like linen, silk, cotton, or synthetic materials and are suitable for designing basic clothing items like dresses and T-shirts.

Art fabrics

Art fabrics are designed and decorated through painting, dyeing, or printing. They have a unique charm, adding depth to any clothing piece, and can be made of various fibres, featuring different patterns and designs.

Embroidered fabrics

These fabrics’ surfaces are decorated with embellishments and threads, and their designs can be made in different colours. They are the pillar of the fashion industry and are used predominantly to make sarees, kurtas, blouses, and wedding gowns.

Check the properties of the fabric

While the type of fabric is crucial, you shouldn’t neglect its properties either. These properties include the following:

• Touch and feel: before purchasing fabric, you must consider what kind of touch and feel you desire. Materials like silk, cotton and chiffon are similar in terms of their touch and feel, but there are also fabrics with a unique touch, and getting familiar with it may take some time. Weather is also a crucial aspect to consider when choosing the fabric. For instance, cotton is ideal for warm-weather clothing due to its soft and breathable feel. You can purchase high-quality fabrics like the ones from africanfabs and use them to design lovely and colourful tops, dresses or skirts to wear during summer. On the other hand, wool is warm and cosy, making it perfect for winter clothing.
• Durability and cleanability: a great fabric lasts for minimum washes without losing its colour and lustre, so make sure to check its longevity. For routine dresses, easily washable fabrics are the best. On the other hand, occasional heavy dresses designed with embroidered and silk fabrics require dry cleaning so their surface art can be maintained. Pay attention to washing care before deciding on a particular material.
• Fall and drape: fabric fall is another essential aspect to remember when choosing a suitable fabric for making clothes. This refers to the way a fabric falls to the ground and is affected by several factors, like thickness, texture, weight and stiffness of the material. Fabrics like georgette and satin are often chosen for garments that require a lot of draping or gathering, like sarees and skirts, because they have a softer, more fluid drape. On the other hand, heavier-weight fabrics like denim or wool tend to have a more structured drape.

Think about the garment type

It’s essential to choose the fabric type based on the garment you’re planning to create. While some clothing types can only be made with knitted fabrics, others work better with woven fabrics. Let’s take denim jackets as an example. While it’s true that any fabric type would result in a denim-style jacket, this clothing piece is at its best when sewn with woven fabrics. Of course, you don’t necessarily have to follow the ‘correct fabric’ rules, but if you want to be rebellious and break the rules, you should at least ensure you understand them.

Evaluate your sewing skills

This is a vital consideration when picking the right fabric for your clothing items. If you’re a beginner sewer, it may not be appropriate to make a leather biker jacket with a silk lining and exposed metal zippers – the outcome would likely be disastrous! This is because silk is slippery, so it isn’t really the best fabric to work with when you’ve just gotten into the art of sewing. Moreover, you need some specific tools if you want to sew leather well. Obviously, such a project won’t be too challenging for an advanced sewer. Before designing a specific clothing item, take an honest look at your current skill level – that will help you get the best result.

Buying fabric online vs offline: which is better?

Now that you’ve learned what factors to consider when looking for fabrics, you may wonder whether you should buy them online or offline. Well, that’s pretty much a choice based on personal preference, but there are clear advantages to purchasing from an online store rather than travelling to the store. For instance, you enjoy a greater variety of materials and discover affordable deals. Moreover, shopping for fabrics online saves a lot of time, as you can do it from your own home and avoid large crowds and all the unnecessary stress associated with physical stores.

Final thoughts

Fabrics play a crucial role in determining a garment’s overall look, feel and durability, so it’s important to select it carefully. To do so, consider the steps mentioned above, and you’ll succeed in creating garments that are both functional and beautiful. 

The post Fabrics Matter in Clothing Design, So Choose Wisely appeared first on The WoW Style.

How To Start Doing DIY

Homeowners who have a background in carpentry and know some things about home improvement should get a head start. Still, even if you’re starting from scratch, it may not take long to catch up if you swear by the following guidelines:

Start Small

By small, we mean taking on starter projects you can do without any extraordinary skill involved. Take a look around your home; we’re sure you’ll find a few things that need improvement. However, you may want to leave the kitchen sink to the professionals.

When you have a few small projects under your belt, you can start doing more complex ones of similar nature. Avoid moving on to larger projects that require a different set of skills than those you’ve done previously.

Whether you’re starting out or already have some experience under your belt, choose and plan your projects wisely to avoid setbacks. Get some headway on building that DIY experience by trying some of these recommended starter projects:

• Painting walls
• Installing wallpaper
• Mounting a flatscreen
• Filling cracks with waterproof fillers or sealants
• Replacing a toilet
• Installing ceiling insulation

Typically, you’d be able to finish a small project in a day or two. Even better, they often do not require any amazing handiwork to complete. You only need to know how to use some basic tools and be good at following instructions.

On the other hand, bigger projects may require a specialized skill set. Plus, they need more time for planning and execution. Most of them can take at least several days to complete by a team knowledgeable about building codes.

Read, Read, and Read Some More

There are no limits to where DIY can take you if you continuously update your knowledge. In line with this, you can find countless books on DIY that would prove useful resources for beginners.

There are topics on home repairs, DIY basics, as well as planning and execution. We also advise reading on how to start your first project, typical beginner challenges, and other matters you can expect to face as a DIY amateur.

Visit the Internet

When it comes to DIY, the internet can be your greatest friend, but it can also be your worst enemy. However, the former is almost always the case if you visit only trusted sites and online forums.

Like books, sites can provide reliable info on different things DIY. These are especially crucial resources for beginners who need easy access to DIY information and lack the books and magazines for acquiring such.

There is almost no problem or challenge the internet can’t help fix. Books are usually the best resources for those in search of general knowledge, but the internet can have answers for some of the nitty-gritty specifics.

Also, there is no shortage of DIY books online. From beginner carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work to home improvement projects for amateurs, there is a ton of information to leverage on for starter success.

Focus on the Practical

In most cases, basic plumbing and electrical work are the centers of home improvements. Light fixture changes, plumbing problems, faucet replacements, and drain or toilet unplugging are among the most common issues you can solve with DIY.

Typically, beginners should find parts replacement the easier steps of most projects and modifications. In contrast, installations are often the most tedious and complex. Fortunately, there are book and internet resources to walk you through these project phases comprehensively.

Answers to whatever questions you have about DIY aren’t tricky to find at all. Still, it’s crucial to be aware of your own limitations. As soon as you start feeling unsafe or unsure about the situation, call in an expert right away. Serious plumbing and electrical work are things amateur DIY-ers should stay away from. That goes for gas-related projects, too.

Inspection Is Vital

A thorough initial inspection can save you from a bunch of setbacks down the road. Imagine finding out too late that a problem is actually worse than it looked and is far beyond your abilities to fix.

You’ve already gathered all the tools and materials for what you thought would be the initial project and set some time aside for it. Unfortunately, these could all go to waste if you were unable to nip the problem in the bud. A thorough inspection will save you from wasting money and effort.

Not All DIY Projects Are for You

Let’s face it; some things aren’t meant for us. As useful and convenient as some DIY projects may seem, they could also be unsafe for someone who lacks the necessary skills. When matters of safety become an issue, you should know enough to leave it to the professionals.

The post How to DIY: Learn How To Start Doing DIY Projects appeared first on The WoW Style.

The Types of Ladders

For DIY and home users, there are really only three main types of ladders that matter:

Stepladders are the ones that look like giant ‘A’ shapes. They provide a good amount of stability and are self-contained — you don’t need to lean them against a wall or other structure. They’re typically relatively short and designed for tasks like painting, decorating, changing lightbulbs, etc.

Traditional runged ladders, including extending ladders, are the ones that need to be propped against a supporting surface. They are typically a lot longer than step ladders (although short models can be found) and are great for tasks like cleaning gutters, accessing roofs and house painting, pointing or general repairs at height.

Combination ladders not only provide a combination of the features of step and traditional ladders, but they also allow you to work on areas where the floor is uneven — in stairways, for example.

Materials

Ladders for home use are typically made out of wood, fibreglass or aluminium. For a wooden ladder, make sure before you use it that the wood is dry, not rotted through or weakened, and that rungs are still securely attached. Fibreglass and aluminium ladders are lighter and more durable but you’ll need to still make sure that the treads are undamaged. Check that the feet of the ladder are also in good condition, so the ladder does not slip out from under you when in use.

Safe Use

Whenever you’re using a ladder, always position it on a stable, even surface.

If it’s a traditional runged/extended ladder, make sure that the supporting surface is also stable, and not slippery or weak — don’t ever lean it on guttering or windows, for example. If you’re using the ladder to get on your roof, make sure to leave a couple of rungs above the roof so it’s easy to get on and off the ladder.

For stepladders, there are usually locking arms between the two sides, as well as a platform at the top which should lock into place — never use the ladder without all three of these in the locked position, or the ladder is likely to fold up underneath you.

Never stand on the top rungs or platform of any of these types of ladders. You’re significantly more likely to over-reach, over-balance and injure yourself, and you can’t keep three points of contact — where you always have both feet and at least one hand on the ladder. Try and leave at least the top three rungs clear.

If you are conducting work that might cause you to over-balance —side-on drilling through bricks, for example — either try and avoid using a ladder if possible, or have the ladder tied in place or supported by an additional person.

Always bear in mind that the ladder (and each rung) has a maximum load capacity. Don’t try to carry too much weight up the ladder, as it increases your chances of over-balancing and of any loose or weaker rungs breaking.

It’s tempting to try and turn around on your ladder, particularly a step ladder, but you should always remain facing the rungs. This not only allows you the three points of contact, but it also minimises the risk of slipping and falling while turning.

Lastly, if you’re working on electricals, as well as turning off mains/lighting rings try and use a fibreglass ladder as this non-conductive material will provide some shock protection.

The post How To Use Ladders Safely When Doing DIY appeared first on The WoW Style.

It is a form of mosaic art where the artist sticks small, sparkly resins to a canvas that has a pattern. Once the painting is complete, it is a beautiful work of art that sparkles and is worthy of hanging on any wall. There are many reasons to love diamond painting. Read on to learn why you should give it a try.

Diamond Painting Relieves Stress

The world today is fast-paced and competitive, and sometimes you need to find a way to unwind and relax. Whether you are a college student, a stay-at-home mom, or a corporate executive, you have your share of stress in your daily life. When you engage in a detail-oriented activity such as diamond painting, it clears your mind and relieves your stress.

It is important to find something that can help you forget about the stresses of the world, and creativity is the perfect solution. You can work on it a little bit at a time, and creating your diamond painting will allow your creativity to shine as you watch the canvas come to life.

Diamond Painting Can Be Done with the W4hole Family

There are many different options for diamond painting, from small beginner kits for one person to larger size painting kits for the entire family. If you have children, it is a great activity for the family to do together. You will enjoy choosing your diamond canvas kit and organizing the diamonds. You can all work together, and it will be a very special creation when it is complete.

Children love to do crafts, but they get even more excited when they get to work on a craft with their parents. When you engage in diamond painting together, you are spending quality time with your children, and you will create memories that will last a lifetime.

Diamond Painting Improves Concentration and Fine Motor Skills

When you diamond paint, you need to pay attention to the details. The resins are small, and you need to put them in the exact spots where they go. This requires concentration, and it will improve fine motor skills.

Activities such as diamond painting activate your brain, and this improves your ability to concentrate. You will feel a sense of accomplishment each time you make progress, and engaging your mind will carry over into the rest of your life.

You Can Create a Diamond Painting for a Gift

There is nothing more meaningful than a gift that is handmade. The thought, time, and energy that goes into creating the gift are priceless. There are so many different diamond paintings that you can choose from that you will be able to find the perfect gift for any of your friends and family.

Not only will your loved ones be touched by the effort you have gone to for this special gift, but it is actually something that they will enjoy hanging on the walls to remind them of you. Diamond paintings are stunning when the light catches them and they sparkle, and you can find just about any type of design that you want.

Diamond Painting Is a Great Hobby

When you have time to unwind at the end of the day or on the weekend, engaging in a hobby such as diamond painting is a lot of fun. Many people find themselves watching television or scrolling on social media, but neither of those activities gives you any real sense of accomplishment. Diamond painting is something you can look forward to, and it is a lot of fun while you are doing it.

Hobbies are important to break up the tasks that must be done in life. They give your mind important downtime to relax and recharge. The great thing about diamond painting is that anyone can learn how to do it, and you can get started by getting your first kit. When you start diamond painting, you will find that you have something to look forward to. Rather than wondering what to do with extra time, you will have something you enjoy.

Final Thoughts

Diamond painting is quickly becoming the most popular DIY craft. People love this activity because they don’t need the experience to get started, and the end result is an amazing creation.

There are a lot of activities that are fun, but diamond painting is actually produced as well. When you complete your painting, you can hang it on your wall, and it will look stunning as it sparkles in the light. You can also give your paintings to friends and family for gifts. You should definitely give the diamond painting a try.

The post Like DIY Crafts? Here’s Why You’ll Love Diamond Painting appeared first on The WoW Style.

Since this year has also been a hard one to deal with from a mental health standpoint, it’s all the more important that we check up on those we care about and help them out as best we can. This is definitely something to keep in mind when thinking of what to get the people you care about for gifts this season. Try something new by gifting them something that they can create themselves, and maybe even introducing them to a new hobby. 

A New Passion for Paint

A craft idea that is incredibly versatile and accessible to those at all different skill levels and abilities is painting. But if you’re unsure what artistic abilities they have, it can be a bit tricky to pick out just the right gift to get them. You don’t want to give them something that is completely above their level, that will end up causing them stress and ultimately go uncompleted, collecting dust until it gets regifted at a later date.

If they’re a novice to the art of painting or even a seasoned professional, a paint your numbers kit provides them with everything they need. It’s a simple paint-by-number kit with a twist; you upload a personal photo that then gets turned into a fun DIY craft that’s easy, straightforward, and pure fun for them. It even comes with everything they will need to complete their own work of art, including a quality canvas, brushes, and paint.

This takes off all of the pressure of having to venture out for their own supplies to complete their thoughtful gift. With this kit, they can immortalize a fond memory (maybe one that the two of you shared) in something more refined and captivating than just a snapshot on their cell phone or social media page.

An embroidery or cross stitch kit

If your loved one is more adept with a fabric textile, or if they can’t stop talking about all the cute embroidered emblems they see on sweatshirts and pillows, nudge them in a creative direction by giving them a beginner’s embroidery or cross stitch kit. You can find many online that have pre-drawn templates on the provided fabric that are easy to follow and fun to do.

These kits typically come with the proper sized needles, different colors of embroidery thread or cross-stitch floss, and detailed instructions that will guide your crafty friend through the basics of embroidery, cross-stitching, and beyond. An added bonus? They’ll be able to cross stitch you a cheeky phrase on a pillow next holiday season. A win-win all around.

A candle or bath-bomb making kit

De-stressing after a long day is necessary in modern times. Some wonderful self-care rituals include relaxing and unwinding in a warm bath surrounded by soothing and comforting scents. Why not take that TLC to the next level with some self-care essentials that you craft yourself? There are many kits on the market that can help you do just that, and you can pick the scents and colors that suit your fancy.

No matter what gift you choose to give the people you care about most this year, consider something that would get them involved and enthralled in a fun activity. It shows you care and can be beneficial to them in multiple ways in the long run.

The post The Best DIY Crafts to Gift This Year appeared first on The WoW Style.

Plastering

Perhaps one of the most common DIY jobs that we turn our hands to, plastering can be done successfully and with a professional finish if you follow these easy tips. 

Use a bucket trowel 

Whilst it might be tempting to attempt to scoop the plaster from the bucket and onto the hawk using your plastering trowel – or even the hawk itself – this often just leads to mess and complications that make an already skilled job even more difficult. Bucket trowels are inexpensive but can save you a lot of time, mess and hassle. 

Use a light hawk 

A hawk made of plastic or foam will be easier to handle than a heavy metal one, and this will mean that you have more dexterity when it comes to handling it. 

Use plaster beads 

Often overlooked as an ‘optional extra’ plaster beads can be the ‘make or break’ of a good plastering job. Not only do they help to create slick and crisp edges, they also function as a form of reinforcement and protection for the plaster. No one wants to have to constantly patch up jobs, or to redo them after a short space of time, and by using plaster beads you will dramatically increase the longevity and strength of the plastered area

Laying carpet

Laying carpet can be challenging. Top tips for carpet laying include: 

Drawing a diagram of your room 

This will help with measurements and also give you an idea of where to start and begin laying. Using a carpet tucker Often overlooked, but a carpet tucker, a small tool, can help to make the big task of laying carpet easier and result in a more professional look. 

Select the correct door bars 

There are many different types of door bars, and you need to select well depending on the types of flooring that you are looking to bridge on either side of the door. A poorly selected and ill fitting door bar can result in both a poor finish and damage to the carpet. 

Tiling

Tiling is one of the more skillful and complicated DIY projects that you can take on. However, with our handy tips you will be able to create an area of tiling to be proud of. 

Mix the grout well 

In order to work well, your grout needs to be smooth and free of lumps. Even if it means that you have to remix your grout, make sure that it is smooth and easy to work before putting on to use on walls and floors. 

Use levelling compound 

If you are tiling a floor it is a good idea to use a levelling compound to create a flat surface to tile onto. Uneven flooring can create terrible results when it comes to tiling and can make the job a nightmare to undertake. 

The post Your Guide to Making Big DIY Jobs Easier appeared first on The WoW Style.

Whatever the reason, you’re here because you want to get better at DIY projects. 

Working on your house yourself has tons of benefits. Plus, your desire to make your home safer could lower your homeowner’s insurance premium. 

But how should you get started, and what should you keep in mind? Keep reading to see some simple ways you can massively improve your DIY mastery at home. 

Study Like a Professional

Before doing any project, you should look at the steps and procedures that professionals undergo. Watch YouTube videos, look on contractor websites, or talk to technicians themselves if you know someone. 

If you’re feeling particularly keen on studying, consider looking into training, for example, the Kansas contractor’s license exam or its equivalent in your state or area. While you don’t have to become a licensed contractor, you might become inspired and learn some useful information. You can become master at home improvement but may be you will not able to repair garage door perfectly. Here you can consider calling garage door company to fix your broken door.

If you try to go into a DIY project without any background information or knowledge about going forward, you’re going to struggle. Not only could preceding with no info make things impossibly tricky, but it could also endanger you and your family. 

Get Creative and Think Outside the Box

If you’re looking into DIY, you probably have a few ideas in mind that you’d like to execute. Maybe you want to build some shelves, fix your window, or make a TV stand. These ideas are fantastic, but they aren’t the limit of DIY. 

Get creative, and it will boost your health in many ways. Maybe build a spaceship for your kids in the background? Do you need more magnets for your fridge? Perhaps you could use an excellent device to store shoes? The limits are endless. 

Get the Whole Family Involved

Do you want to spend more quality time with your children? If you’re looking for ways to connect with them throughout the day, why not bring them in on your DIY projects? 

You can show them useful building skills while also spending time with them. Start simple and get them to help you with a fun but the easy-to-understand parts of the project. From there, go bigger. You can even take their suggestions and work it into your home improvement master plan. 

Become More Observant of Your House

If you want to become a master of home improvement, you need to learn to observe your house differently. 

Small DIY projects are everywhere that you look. Learn to look for leaky faucets, creaky floorboards, and cracks in the paint on the walls. You don’t have to do a complete search around your property often but keep an eye out for any issues you see.

Also, know when the project you see is too big for you to complete by yourself. Don’t be afraid of bringing in a professional to handle problems you don’t know enough about. 

Be Realistic, But Don’t Stop Dreaming

Went learning about home improvement to be able to take care of your property, keep track of your strengths and weaknesses. There will always be some projects that you can’t take on yourself. Know when to call a technician. As long as you have clear boundaries of what you can and can’t handle, you’ll do well.

Go out there and conquer the world of home improvement projects! Stay informed, creative, and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. Before you know it, you’ll be a home improvement master. 

The post How to Become a DIY Master at Home Improvement appeared first on The WoW Style.

So maybe it’s time to try something new. If it’s your first time doing DIY here are great tips for DIY.

If you’ve been thinking about doing a little DIY around the house, now is the perfect time. And you don’t have to be an expert at it — you just have to have fun doing it!

Here are five DIY projects to work on when you’re stuck indoors.

1. Reupholster a Chair

Give your living room, bedroom, or office a brand new look by reupholstering an old chair.

As long as you have some extra fabric, a screwdriver, and a staple gun, you can make any old chair look new. And it’s super easy to do!

If you never reupholstered furniture before, we suggest starting with a metal or wooden chair that has a cushioned seat. This type of chair is the easiest to work with, as the only thing you’ll need to cover is the cushion itself.

(It gets a bit more complicated when you start reupholstering armchairs and accent chairs that are fully covered in fabric.)

To get started, unscrew the seat from the frame. Remove the old fabric from the seat. Make sure your fabric is big enough to cover the top, wrap around the sides, and cover at least the edges of the underside of the cushion.

Lay the fabric on the floor, put the seat cushion facedown, and pull the edges of the fabric up and onto the underside of the chair. Add a few staples along each side to hold the fabric in place, and you’ve got a brand new cushion! The last step is to simply reattach the cushion to the frame.

2. Create a Gallery Wall

One of the easiest ways to give a room a fresh new look is to create a gallery wall.

Start by gathering a variety of frames and any art prints or artwork that you like. Put your prints in different frames of different sizes, then arrange them on a wall in a staggered pattern (not in perfect rows).

Don’t want to drill dozens of holes into your wall for hooks? You don’t have to. As long as your frames aren’t too large or too heavy, all you need is a few Command Strips to get the job done.

3. Paint Something

Throw on some old clothes and express your creativity by painting something in your home.

If you’re up for a big project, now is the perfect time to repaint an entire room. Not feeling quite that ambitious? Grab a small can of your favorite color and paint one accent wall.

Painting is both a great creative outlet and a cathartic experience. Plus, you can update just about anything you own with a little bit of time and a little bit of color.

Want to express your artistic side now that you’ve got so much free time on your hands? Grab a canvas (or a canvas board) and make your own piece of art to hang over your fireplace or over your bed.

Sick of looking at that old dresser or side table in your bedroom? Give an old piece of furniture new life with a fresh coat of paint.

Anxious to get outside and enjoy the spring season? Paint some old flower pots or planters, fill them with fresh flowers or greenery, and bring a bit of the outdoors inside.

4. Build a Piece of Furniture

There are tons of things you can build with some wood, a drill, and a handful of screws. If you’re handy with basic tools, you can DIY a new piece of furniture.

With just a few pieces of wood, you can create a bench for your entryway, a side table for your living room, or a bar cart for your dining room.

There are dozens of DIY furniture plans online, including some that only require a few two-by-fours!

Don’t think you have the skill to build an entire piece of furniture? That’s okay, there are plenty of small projects you can do.

Take a few small slats of lumber and create a wooden crate for storage, a riser for your laptop, or a simple wall shelf.

If you have some old hooks on hand, you can even make a simple wall plaque and attach the hooks to create a rustic, DIY coat rack.

5. Start Sewing

Handy with a sewing machine or a needle and thread? You might want to create some new accessories for your living room, bedroom, or bathroom.

One of the easiest things to sew is a pillow cover. If you have some old throw pillows that you’re tired of looking at, gather some fabric and start sewing new covers.

Envelope pillow covers are super easy to sew; they require nothing more than one piece of fabric and two rows of stitches.

Have an old bed sheet that you don’t need? A flat sheet makes an excellent shower curtain.

To slip it directly over your shower rod, just fold the top edge over and sew a slim pocket across the top of the sheet so you can slide the rod through.

Prefer to hang your shower curtain from hooks? Sew a few buttonholes spaced evenly across the top edge so you have openings to pull your hooks through.

In Summary

DIY projects are a great way to occupy your time and express your creativity. But they can also save you lots of money on home décor.

So while you’re staying at home over the next few weeks, try your hand at something new.

Build something, paint something, or sew something. Give one room an entirely new look by painting the walls or creating a gallery wall filled with artwork. Reupholster or paint an old piece of furniture to give it fresh, new appeal.

A few simple DIY projects can give your home a one-of-a-kind look. And who knows? By the time it’s safe to go back outside, you might not even want to!

Author Bio:

Caitlin Sinclair is the Property Manager at The Charlie, a luxury apartment community in Orange County, CA.

The post 5 DIY Projects to Work on When You’re Stuck Indoors appeared first on The WoW Style.

Velcro has been popularly used by diverse industries. From wrapping electronic cords to being extensively used in space programmes, its a jack of all trades. Another factor that adds to its appeal is affordability. You can cheapy purchase Velcro in bulk from MPD Hook and Loop.

Let’s see how you can use Velcro to make your everyday life easier:

Hang pictures or art

Hanging pictures or art is not as simple as it sounds. You have to hammer nails into the wall and make sure it’s levelled. But Velcro is here to save the day. It’s surprisingly quite strong!

With Velcro, you can easily hang pictures and artwork without any hassle. Depending on the weight of the piece, you can get industrial-strength velcro that has excellent holding power. This is especially helpful for people renting spaces with rules disallowing drilling walls.

Keep rugs in place

Rugs have the tendency to roll up from the sides and move out of place, especially on polished surfaces. Running kids, pets and sliding rugs make up a disastrous combination.

Velcro is the perfect solution to prevent untidy rugs causing trips and falls. You can attach rugs to the surface and keep them in place for years. When it comes to vacuuming or sweeping, Velcro is a sustainable solution, unlike double-sided tape that can be a nightmare.

Sort out messy cables

Every electronic device you purchase comes with a zillion cables. Though some cables and wires come with a velcro tie, it’s usually poor quality. All you need is a roll of good quality Velcro and you can sort out all your cables.

Make a tablet or phone stand

Has your phone slipped from your hands and plummeted right on your face? You’re not alone! While you can buy stands for tablets and phones, they aren’t customised specifically for you.

Using Velcro you can attach your phone or tablet to any surface. No more of holding your phone till your arms go numb.

Adjusting clothes

What do you do when you need a last-minute dress alteration? Unfortunately, not everyone is talented in the sewing department. It’s time to bring out Velcro, the lazy person’s tailoring solution. From adjusting baggy jeans to oversized dresses, Velcro saves you from cutting and stitching.

Easy babyproofing

Can’t keep your toddler away from the cupboard under the sink? Use extra-hold Velcro to prevent kids from opening drawers and cupboards. It’s the perfect solution that you can self-install without hiring a handyman.

Uses for pets

Mealtime is a big hit with pets. If your furry friend has a habit of dragging the food bowl everywhere and making a mess, get out the Velcro. Use it to attach the bowl to the matt or the floor.

De-pilling sweaters

Nothing is more annoying than the fabric pills that appear on clothing after a few washes. If you are looking for an easy yet cheap way to de-pill your sweaters, put Velcro to work. By gently dabbing the hook side you can remove the balls with ease.

Keep cushions upright

If your cushions keep sliding off, secure them in place with Velcro. It can also be used to fix outdoor cushions constantly knocked over by the wind.

Secure bags and purses

You can’t throw away an expensive bag if the zipper or lock broke. Put Velcro to use. By attaching Velcro with strong glue, you can continue using your favourite bag. When done right, it’s seamless and lasts for years.

Hopefully, these hacks opened you up to the endless possibilities of Velcro!

The post Here’s How Velcro Can Transform Your Everyday Life appeared first on The WoW Style.

Printing Your Own T-Shirts

Creating personalized designs is far easier than any retailer would like you to believe. For the particularly industrious, investing in a screen printer will ensure consistency of design across multiple pieces. While screen printing as we know it only goes back to 1900, the original process was created during the Song Dynasty, making it one of the oldest extant printing methods. While each machine works a little differently, the process is quite simple. You create a design, transfer it onto a screen, place the shirt on the printer, and run ink across the fabric to leave an impression. Owning a screen printer is ideal for bands, those running small businesses, and organizations like churches and youth groups. The initial investment will pay for itself after a few runs by cutting out commercial printing services.

Soaked In Bleach

For those working on a smaller scale, bleaching cotton or denim fabric is an easy, funky way to show off your style. Start by cutting a stencil of your design out of freezer paper. Place a piece of cardboard in the shirt to prevent the beach from seeping through to the back, and iron your stencil onto the shirt. Once it’s adhered to the fabric, take a spray bottle filled with a 50/50 bleach/water solution and spray the stencil. Be careful to avoid hitting any spots you do not want bleached. Should the stencil start to move, do not iron it back on at this stage, as the heat can cause a hazardous chemical reaction with the bleach. Once your design has achieved the desired level of lightness, remove the cardboard and dunk the shirt into cold water to stop the reaction. Ring out the shirt, let it dry and show off your new creation.

Customizing Your T-Shirt

Now that you’ve created and printed a design on your shirt, grab a pair of scissors to make your new top stand out. There are endless ways to customize a t-shirt, and many of them do not require sewing. The simplest way to modify a t-shirt is to cut out the collar, creating a scooped neck look. Cutting off the hems will make the shirt sleeves and bottom roll up a bit, so be mindful of that if you’re looking to shorten the shirt. Add safety pins and buttons to give the shirt a punk rock vibe, and you’re ready to head out on the town.

Fashion trends move so quickly that it’s impossible to keep up with what’s current. Instead of running out and picking up the next piece of fast fashion that will fall apart faster than it’s out of style, take a DIY approach to your wardrobe. Whether you’re creating your own design, cutting up your shirt, or a little of both, making your own style is a cheap, fun way to show off your personality.

The post DIY T-Shirts: Fun, Cheap and Stylish appeared first on The WoW Style.