project-accessory-blog
The Project Accessory Blog
Category: "laura bennett"
Laura Bennett DIY: Episode 3 – Christina's Crystal Earrings
Materials
6 Swarovski 26 X 8.5mm Sew-On Crystals, style 39337
6 large jump rings
2 small jump rings
1 pair earring wires
Tools
Needle nose pliers
1. Using a pair of needle nose pliers, pry open the large jump rings and form two chains of three stones each.
2. Using the small jump rings, attach the earring wires to the top jump ring of each chain of stones.
3. Collect your prize for creating a winning accessory (pictured below: orginal on the left, my DIY on the right).
For some of my own great DIY accessory projects check out my new book, "Handmade Chic: Fashionable Projects That Look High-End, Not Homespun".
- Laura
Laura Bennett DIY: Episode 2 – James' Swarovski-Inspired Shoes
Oh, please. This one is so easy you can do it with your eyes closed. I am not crazy about this design (the color palette is way too eighties for me) but I love the idea that you can use these techniques to take a plain pair of shoes and make them your own. I used a pair of Christian Siriano for Payless pumps (on sale for $11!), but you can start with any pair you like.
Materials
Print out pattern pieces
Pair of plain peep toe pumps
Leather, suede, or fabric scraps
A variety of flat back rhinestones (www.m&jtrimmings.com)
3M 365 Adhesive Transfer Tape (Note: industrial strength double stick tape) (www.drillspot.com)
Masking tape
Clear glue (I used Beacon 527 Multi Use glue)
Thread
Sewing machine
Size 14 or 16 leather sewing machine needles
Scissors
Pen
1. Make a pattern to cover your shoe's heel, by covering the heel with overlapping pieces of masking tape. Trace the edges of the heel with a pen, Peel off the tape and trim along the pen lines. Use this pattern to trace and cut out a contrasting color of leather, suede or fabric.
2. To adhere the new heel color, cover the wrong side of the cut piece with adhesive transfer tape. Burnish and peel the paper backing. Carefully apply it to the heel of your shoe.
3. Using the pattern pieces provided, cut out two of each piece in your desired material (a single layer of the small triangular piece is sufficient). Using the adhesive transfer tape, adhere the matching pieces together. Topstitch 1/8" from the edge around each shape.
4. Mark the portions of the shapes that make contact with the shoe, apply the adhesive transfer tape to those areas, and apply the shapes to the shoe.
5. Apply the flat back rhinestones as desired using clear drying glue.
For some of my own great DIY accessory projects (including embellished shoes) , check out my new book, "Handmade Chic: Fashionable Projects That Look High-End, Not Homespun."
- Laura
Laura Bennett DIY: Episode 1 - Nina's Matchstick Belt
Here is a less flammable version of Nina's winning belt:
Materials
5 meters beige 3mm Polyurethane Cord www.tohoshoji-ny.com)
1 meter red 3mm Polyurethane Cord (www.tohoshoji-ny.com)
200@ 6mm red glass beads (www.tohoshoji.com)
2" D ring (www.m&j.com)
2@ ¼" Screw in Studs (www.hardwarelf.com)
4 @ 1" x 4" strips of leather
Thread
Tools
Sewing machine
Size 14 or 16 leather sewing machine needles
Clear glue (I used Beacon 527 Multi Use Glue)
3M 365 Adhesive Transfer tape, or double stick tape (www.drillspot.com)
Rotary Hole-Punch
Tape measure
Scissors
1. Using a tape measure, measure around where you want the belt to sit. Deduct two inches from this measurement, and cut five beige pieces of cord this length.
2. Cover the curved section of the 2" D-ring with glue and wrap the ring with the red cord. Set it aside to dry.
3. Cover the back of two 1" x 4" leather strips with the adhesive transfer tape. Burnish and peel off the paper backing. Place the five beige cords, equally spaced, on the back of one leather strip, overlapping by two inches.
4. Place the second leather strip, wrong sides together, on top of the first, carefully lining up the edges. Topstitch around all sides, 1/8" from the edge.
5. Using the smallest size on a rotary leather hole-punch, make a hole 1" from the cord end. Using the largest size on the rotary hole-punch make a hole ½" from the other end. Install the screw in stud into the small hole.
6. With the stud facing up, loop the leather strip through the D-ring and close it by inserting the larger hole on to the stud.
7. String 40 glass beads on each beige cord. You may have to trim the edges to do this.
8. Repeat steps 3 thru 6 on the other end of the beige cords, being careful to prevent the cords from twisting. Attach this end to the D-ring and distribute the beads.
Check back next week for how to recreate Episode 2's winning look ... yourself!
-Laura BennettLaura Bennett Shows You How to Do It Yourself
I have a new book coming out titled Handmade Chic: Fashionable Projects That Look High-End, Not Homespun. It is full of accessory projects that are easy to make, but look chic, high-end, and anything but homemade.
In celebration of my new book, I will be turning the winning accessory project from Lifetime's new show, “Project Accessory" into a DIY project, complete with a tools and materials list, directions and diagrams, and a list of internet resources where you can find the same materials I used to recreate it. If you try a project and have any questions, just leave a note in the comments section and I’ll try to help.
Here is a photo of my version of the matchstick belt from Nina's winning look as seen in Episode 1. I need a day or two to catch up, and get the instructions posted, but if you see a winner from "Project Accessory" you love, check in here for my ideas of how you can get the look.
-Laura Bennett
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