Tutorial: Make a Cuff from a Sandal

As promised, here is a simple tutorial that will teach you step by step, how to make a cuff from an old sandal (or a new one, if you prefer) . I took the pictures during the course of three or four days in various stages, that is why you'll see different backgrounds, sorry about that!  

1. So, here are my sandals, pretty beat up. I wore them for two straight summers all the time! They've been through sprinklers, dirt, sand, concrete, you name it! They were only $10.00 which probably explains why they broke after 2 summers!

2. Turn them around and there’s a hole in the sole. This made it easier to cut them.

3. So I cut all around the sandle.

4. This is what I’m left with.

5. I fit it around my wrist to see what it looks like.

6. It’s a little too long so I cut a bit. Yours can be whatever length you like.

7. I cut the point off too.

.

8. I try on again. I like it.

9. Now I have to even out these strips

10. Much better

11.Now I take out my soft piece of leather and measure. I will be putting snap closures on these pieces. I need four pieces the same width as the length of the cuff.

12. These are the bottom pieces, Good side facing down

13. Now put the top pieces on top of the other two, good side facing you, to see how they measure up. The strips will be sewn, sandwiched in, between the two pieces.

14. Okay, now take the top pieces off and start with one side. Sew the strips onto the bottom of the leather piece, the one with the good side facing down. Note: I have a singer factory machine and I use a number 16 needle to sew this. I am not sure how it would go with another type of machine. Please make sure your machine is able to sew leather.) Then do the other side.

15. Now put the top piece, with the good side facing you, on top of the strips (remember, we are sandwiching the strips in between these leather pieces and then sewing). Start sewing as close to the edge of the leather strips as possible (NOTE: I used brown thread because I had it in my machine already and I thought the subtle color contrast would look nice. I also decided to add rows of stitching for a quilted effect. I liked the way it came out. Now do the other side

16. This is how it looked. A bit uneven so I had to cut around to make it an even rectangle.

17. Now to add snaps. I bought these snaps in bulk from DesireMeNow, check out her shop! The tool I bought separately.

18. The package will give you instructions on how to apply the snaps so I won't bore you. One thing I will tell you is that it is easier to apply the snaps if you make a hole before applying the snap. You can buy a leather whole punch but I just used an ice pick. Works
just as well.

 Here it is front and back.

And now on my wrist.

A couple of shots worn with an outfit. I love it! You can still wear it in the fall with 3/4 length sleeves.  It's a little superheroish. But hey, with all I do, I can be considered a superhero mom. I wouldn't wear two at the same time though. Don't want to be mistaken for Wonder Woman!

So get out those old sandals and start working! Leave a comment and let me know what you think of this tutorial. I always welcome feedback. 

From Sandal to Cuff

This is what I worked on yesterday. Last year I made my sister and I cuffs from boots, you can see it  here and get the tutorial. 

Now I am on to sandles. I have had this idea in my head a couple of months after one of these sandles got a hole in the sole. I think I purposefully buy cheap shoes so they can break and I can make something from them. Well, I love the way they came out! Tell me what you think. More pics and a tutorial coming soon!

Serenity Prayer T-Shirt Reconstruction

I love it when the message and the medium come together! This was one of my very first t-shirt transformations. Someone gave me this t-shirt ages ago and, of course, I didn't wear it because it was super big. I did love the saying, though,  The Serenity Prayer:

God, grant me the serenity to

accept the things I cannot change

Courage to change the things I can

and the wisdom to know the difference.

My oldest was about two years old and newly diagnosed with autism, when I rediscovered sewing again. Sewing refreshed me as a mother of special needs kids. It gave me a much needed break from visual schedules, tantrums, ABA, etc. Looking back, I didn't consciously choose this shirt for my first recon project but how appropriate and timely was it, no? I sure needed this saying at this particular time. The shirt chose me.  

Have you ever had a project that chose you?

Transforming Low-Waisted Pants to High Waisted Pants

If you're like me, I love skinny jeans but hate the very low-waisted variety that show off your undies when you ever-so slightly bend down. I'm not a prude, I just don't want to flash the world my undies. They are called intimates for a reason, lol. Anyway. I have a whole bunch of low-waisted pants that fit nice on my thighs but alas, again, too low waisted.

Here's my solution. I bought a pair of high-waisted bell bottom pants at Old Navy a couple of years ago. I outgrew this look, so I decided to transfer the high waist onto my low waist pants.


My low-waist pants



High-waist bell-bottom pants from Old Navy

I simply cut off the high waist part of the Old Navy pants below the seam, right above the zipper. Then I did the same thing to my low waist pants, cutt off the waist band right above the zipper.

I then attached the high waist to the low-waisted pants and voila!

My new high-waist skinny jeans



Looks great with a top over it. Will try to see what it looks like with a cropped top.

These are super comfortable, I love them! If you don't have a high waist part, you can also band the top of your low-waisted jeans with stretchy material but you would have to cut the zipper out too. However, if not done right, it could look too much like maternity pants. But I will try this method and report back.

Let me know what you think!

Nelesc Designs Tiny Little Fall Collection

Well, here it is, my tiny 2 piece fall collection. It's really a three piece collection but I still have not had time to photograph the last piece and I couldn't wait. I wanted to keep true to my passion for reconstruction/refashioning/redeeming so these are made from reconstructed sweatshirts. A lot of people really like the puff sleeve jacket which makes me so happy. I have been making various versions of it and it's been such a wonderful process. View more pics in my shop .

                                                          


Puff Sleeve Jacket, $60.00



Asymmetrical Big Collar Sweatshirt, $40.00



These are made to order and can be made with different color combinations and icons. You can check the shop for details. Tell me what you think.