DIY Life

Ditch the dryer sheets, balls and expensive infomercial products; you can get static-free clothes with a few household items you can easily find in your own pantry, kitchen or garage. In fact, before dryer balls were invented (can we even think back that far...?), there was another handy ball that kept clothing soft, bouncy and fluffier than ever. Curious yet? Go on; take a guess. (Hint: it's in the garage!) Give up yet?

The tennis ball! To keep fabrics soft and cling-free, toss three tennis balls into your dryer and run them through a cycle. You'll be amazed at how softer your clothes come out, and you've saved a few bucks along the way!

Not a sports fan? Try this crafty DIY dryer ball version that boasts just a few key supplies: yarn, pantyhose, socks, scissors, crochet hook and measuring tape. You probably have each of those items at home, so forget the excuses and get to work now!

Question: What can make vintage clothing forget their musty past, and also make you forget just what exactly happened during that bachelorette party in Vegas?
Answer: One word - Vodka!

Turns out that vodka is a natural bacteria-killer, which, in turn, deodorizes last season's pea coat that's been hiding in storage for the past few months. Simply prepare a spray bottle with vodka (sans tonic with lime), spritz it a few feet away from the garment and let rest overnight. Your coat will smell fresh, clean and, surprisingly, not like you've bee partying all night with your 21-year-old nephew.

So, next time you spill your drink onto your favorite frenemy, don't fret -- you're saving her from an unnecessary dry cleaning bill!

For more secret tips on household cleaners, surprising hacks and quick fixes, check out Diane's Unusual Uses column... only at DIY Life!

Now that summer's coming to a close, it's time to retire my floral wedges for the fall weather. (Don't worry -- they'll come back in the winter with knitted tights!). This can only mean one thing -- time to hem those jeans for flats. Not sure how? It's easier than you think!

Stylist Rachel Bagley of Cardigan Empire shows you how to hem your favorite pair of jeans in just three steps. The process couldn't be easier, and I'm so excited to try it myself (if I can find my dusty old sewing machine).

Of course, not everyone knows how to sew, and some are more talented than others in the arena (file me under the 'non-talented' section, please). Don't fret -- there's also a lovely no-sew hemming option for those of you who aren't sure whether a bobbin is a tiger or a piece of sewing paraphernalia.

So give it a shot -- hem those pants and show off your new fall flats. You can thank me later!

According to Super Eco, it depends. With the growing popularity of bamboo, eco-fabrics and "green"wear, the environmental-friendly clothing may not be quite as friendly as you assume. Here's why:

1. Chemically manufactured bamboo fiber is a "regenerated cellulose fiber similar to rayon or modal." And where are chemically-manufactured fibers created? In manufacturing facilities, most of which pose potential health hazards and damage to the surrounding environment.

2. A research team at Colorado State University recently found that, contrary to bamboo's finest selling points, the anti-bacterial qualities praised in bamboo fabric are found in many other fibers and are not unique to eco-friendly fabrics. What this means? If you're paying more for the deodorizing, antibacterial effect, take your money elsewhere.

3. Many bamboo fabrics originate in China, where labor practice is often suspect.

So how can you be sure your tee is green? According to the LA Times, check for the Oeko-Tek 100 certification, which won't be placed on a clothing label, but most manufacturers will post their certification on their site. The Oeko-Tek 100 is proof that your clothing is free of dangerous and potentially harmful chemicals.

Bamboozled? Don't be. Just remember to shop smart and do your research. You'll be living green in no time!

Looking for a fun summer project? Here are 20 DIY projects that make good use of items you already own. - AOL Home

Remember those paper-mache piggie banks we used to make when we were kids? Here's a grown up version, only this one makes a beautiful light fixture out of cotton yarn. -- CasaSugar

Everyone's got one stuck in their drawer somewhere: A tee that's just too big or doesn't fit right. With a little scrap fabric, you can turn it into an adorable tank top instead. -- Crafster

Hey, wine lovers: Here's a trendy, stylish trivet to brighten up your summertime table ... and make good use of all those wine corks. -- Craftynest

Everyone knows how to go on a picnic, right? Well here's how to have the perfect picnic -- good food, good company, good fun. -- eHow

Your garden needs a water feature, so how about a fountain ... built out of bowling balls? -- Instructables

Too busy spending time outside or on your favorite projects to watch your favorite TV shows this summer? Good for you! If you can't bear missing them, though, check out Hulu's desktop downloader to save and view your favorite shows. At your convenience. -- Lifehacker

Love to cross stitch? Heck, even if you don't, you'll love these amazing designs. And did you know you can even get a cross stitch pillow of your favorite Tweet? Amazing. -- Shelterpop

Rather than pay for pricey reusable bags, make your own out of your old pillowcases. -- Craftzine Blog

A lot of people sell clothing on eBay, and a few years ago, I was a frequent buyer. But I often found myself disappointed in my purchases. Nothing sticks out in my memory like one particular dress: I searched for it for months and was overjoyed to find it... yet excitement turned to horror when I received it. Why? Because although the dress was machine-washable, the seller sent it to me covered in old deodorant. Disgusting!

The more usual experience with unwelcome deodorant stains isn't quite as off-putting: white marks and goo on dark-colored clothing. Still, we all want to keep our clothes looking nice, right? That's why I was so intrigued by the following deodorant removal tips from CasaSugar.

They suggest two possible ways to deal with this nagging issue: dab the stain with white vinegar, then allow it to soak for 30 minutes before washing the garment in the hottest water it can stand; or soak the garment overnight in a mixture of one part water and one part ammonia with a squirt of dish soap, then wash it. Either process should remove the nasty gunk from any affected areas... making your black tank tops presentable once again.

There are tons of adorable clothing options available for little ones, especially for girls. But what if you get tired of cute?

You can buy some really unique handmade baby items out there from places like Etsy, or you could just do-it-yourself.

Lots of things can be done to personalize onesies. You can apply patches, embroidery, or appliques. You can even convert a onesie into a dress, using fabric you may not normally associate with baby clothing. Sugar skulls, corazones, skulls with bows, and many other not-of-the-norm choices are out there.

For this project, you'll only need a onesie, measuring tape, sewing machine, thread, fabric, elastic, and pins. You don't need much fabric, since it is only forming the skirt part of the dress, so this is an excellent way to use up larger remnants.

Be prepared for other moms to flock to you and your child, asking where on earth you got a dress like that. You can proudly respond, "I made it myself."

About a month or so ago, a set of Lord of the Rings amigurumi made by Sammi Resendes (Craftster user Artoo1121) and her boyfriend were prominently featured on a number of sites. The dolls were unusually detailed, with full cloth outfits resembling their film costumes, painted "embroidery," and tiny polymer clay accessories like helmets and staffs. However, there were no instructions for you to make them at home.

Since then, however, Sammi has posted free instructions for how to make the Fellowship of the Ring in crocheted doll form on her blog, Geek Central Station. There are several patterns:

• The Hobbits and Gimli
• Aragorn and Boromir
• Gandalf and Legolas

The hitch? The clothing patterns aren't free: they can be purchased from the Geek Central Station Etsy shop for $7. That price seems reasonable to me, given how much work went into them.

In the meantime, amigurumi lovers will want to keep an eye on Geek Central Station: Indiana Jones is the latest character to join the fun, and a line of Star Wars dolls has also appeared, with some patterns available for purchase. Sammi says the cast of Futurama will be next! [via]

Recently, here at DIY Life, Ian Lesnet has written some tutorial posts dealing with microcontrollers: devices that essentially act as the "brain" of a small electronics project.

Now Annie Scott, of our sister site, Styledash, has written about a microcontroller called the Lilypad Arduino. On the Arduino site, the 2" wide flower-shaped board is described as "a microcontroller board designed for wearables and e-textiles. It can be sewn to fabric and similarly mounted power supplies, sensors and actuators with conductive thread."

This is all very technical, but in practical terms, what does it mean? Among other things, it's a (relatively) simple way to make hand-washable t-shirts that light up or sing when you go into a dark room, or when you move. Read more about the Lilypad Arduino, including where to purchase it and how to use it, after the break.

What? You mean I'm not just supposed to shove my winter clothes in the back of the closet, semi-folded, and hope I can find them again when the weather starts getting nippy?

Nope. Apparently there is a right way to store your winter clothes, and I will grudgingly admit that it makes sense (although my way does work!).

For example, you really should make sure everything is washed well and all stains are removed, so that you don't wind up with permanent stains six months later.

Also, beware the plastic storage container: if you have bug larvae in there, your clothes will be a feast for the summer. Your fashionable sweaters may have more holes than is stylin'.

Tips on using (or not using) mothballs, hanging (or not hanging) clothes for storing and finding the best places to store are included in this helpful article.

I suppose I am off to do some laundry and try to store my winter clothes properly this year....

If you travel for work, you've probably tried cramming everything into a backpack, in an attempt to keep things simple. This is no easy task. If you do manage to get everything into the bag, it probably comes out wrinkled.

To avoid this, you might be using a small suitcase or multiple bags, but that leaves wasted space and doesn't give you the flexibility of a single carry-on bag.

For your next trip, I'd suggest adopting a minimalist approach to packing for a short business trip. With this bundle method you will wrap all your clothes around a single item; typically, this item would be a small bag with socks and underwear. No folds, no creases, no wrinkles.

The best part is that they show you pictures of the unpacked bag, and you can see how crisp the clothes look as they come out. The full post also has pictures illustrating each packing step, so you can't go wrong.

Next time you're heading off on a short trip, avoid all the hassles that come along with checking baggage: try this packing method.

Gradient tights (also known as "dip-dyed" or "ombré") have been hot on the fashion runway in the recent past, making notable appearances at Prada and Lacroix; other clothing that fades gradually from one shade into another, in a few large, diffuse stripes, will also be visible this spring and summer.

Jennine, of the style blog The Coveted, badly wanted a pair of ombré tights, but found that the rare pair she could find were too expensive for her to justify the purchase. Instead, she treated a pair of light-colored tights to a home dye-bath.

A simple special process is used, so if you're interested in getting this look, read more about it after the break.

The advantages of full skirts are obvious. They spin and twirl in a delightful way, and have been in style for the last few summers, usually in the form of a ruffled peasant skirt. Even when they aren't fashionable, they can be useful for all kinds of dance (salsa, flamenco, swing, modern, belly), as well as for costuming.

If you have basic sewing skills, they're incredibly easy to make. There are two popular ways to create a very full skirt: make a circle skirt, or make a gored skirt with wedge-shaped panels.

To make a circle skirt, in the most simple terms: draw, on fabric, a circle the circumference of the intended wearer's waist, then another circle as far outside of it as you want the skirt's length to be. (If that doesn't make much sense, think of a "bull's-eye" pattern.) The result is a typical circle skirt. The interior circle is the waist, which will need a waistband, and the exterior circle is the hem, which will need to be finished.

Getting the best possible results is a little more complicated than that. For more circle skirt tips and tricks, as well as everything you need to know about gored skirts (and a few useful pattern links), please join me after the break.

My household has been in a bit of an uproar the last few months, ever since my three-year-old received superhero jammies (Batman and Superman) for his birthday. By the way, thanks again, Uncle Andrew.

Since November, Owen has decided to become a hermit because he really, really -- did I say really -- likes to wear his superhero jammies. I give my kid a lot of freedom, but I do insist that actual clothing be worn outside the home in the dead of winter. Harsh, I know. Hence, Owen's self-proclaimed hermitism.

Reality does interfere at times, and I got tired of the getting dressed battles. Yes, I let him wear a cape whenever he wants, and hats, masks and strange footwear are fair game as well (like fire boots in the middle of July, but that's another story . . . ) but that isn't enough for my fanciful boy, who considers it gauche to be seen in anything but full superhero regalia when engaging in fantasy play. Which is pretty much always -- again, another story.

What's a mom to do?

Well, after I mourned the passing of my obsessive shopper days at Gymboree (farewell, oh beloved Gymbucks . . . ) I opened my mind to other clothing options, alas, ones that don't come with coordinating socks and hats. I just can't bring myself to buy "character" clothes (I have enough trouble with the character undies, let alone clothing that can actually be seen) so I called upon my creativity and thought outside of the box.

How to Create Superhero Clothes for your Three Year Old

Anna Sattler wrote a great post the other day about shaving pills off of sweaters with a disposable razor. It reminded me that I have my own favorite way of de-pilling a sweater, and I also thought people might be interested to know why sweaters pill to begin with.

All yarns are made up of a bunch of twisted fibers. Short-staple fibers -- a term that refers to the length of the real or imitation animal hair used to create the yarn -- often wind up poking out of the yarn at either end of the individual hair. When a group of fiber ends are sticking up like that, friction often causes them to bunch together... and then you have pills. (The friction may also have caused the fibers to stick up to begin with.)

Several fibers are notoriously pill-prone: acrylics, merino wool, and cashmere, particularly inexpensive cashmere. The "friction" component explains why pilling on clothing often happens in areas where body parts rub together. Acrylics may pill the worst because of their strength: I've seen wool sweaters where the friction eventually breaks the pill off the sweater, but this isn't as common with man-made fibers.

There's more about pilly fabrics after the break, and a free offer for my favorite pilly sweater solution!