DIY Life

I admit, even though I know how to sew, it takes a special project for me to actually pull out the machine and get to work. Usually, those projects are gifts, like baby slings in drawstring pouches.

The inspiration to sew may just have crossed my computer screen, with the adorable little girl clothing patterns and tutorials collected by Whip Up.

What little girl doesn't love a twirly skirt? This one is easy to sew, and the tutorial has very clear instructions and helpful photos; if you can sew a straight seam, you can please a little girl in your life.

The only possible drawback? The sizing is European, so you need to know the height of the wearer.

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."

For those of you who rarely dress up, tie season is upon us. It will kick off with Thanksgiving dinner, then various formal Christmas events and by New Years eve you will have worn more ties in the past month than you will the rest of the year. If you're out of practice, refreshing yourself on how to tie a tie and the best occasions for each knot will help you through the holidays.

You'll want to choose a knot based which shirt you're pairing your tie with. The half-windsor for example is best with straight ties on thin fabrics. Once you know which knot you're going to tackle, you'll need instructions. These instructions offer full step-by-step instructions with accompanying diagrams.

When the festivities are over and you settle back into your jeans and t-shirt uniform, make sure that you clean and store your ties properly for the next occasion. Always untie the knot before hanging it up on a tie rack. Make sure that you store your ties away from color-fading light. If you need to remove wrinkles from a tie, try rolling it up and leaving it for a few days.

Instead of dreading the formal Christmas party, treat yourself to a new tie (remember to check what dress she's wearing first so you complement it) and strut your stuff!

The stores are getting all their new winter coats in, and depending on where you live, it's almost time to bundle up. With so many beautiful coats it's hard to choose one that will suite you just right. I am forever noticing long sleek jackets on women and commenting on how attractive they look. When I get to the store and try that same style on myself, I look like a child in my mother's coat. Certain shapes are flattered by certain coat styles, and the wrong fit can highlight all the areas we're looking to hide.

Coat Check - Beat the chill with a coat that flatters explains which coats are right for which body shapes. If you have a pear shape figure, you'll want to look for a coat that balances out proportions. A belted trench will work well for you. You can find this cut in everything from khaki to fur; you'll have no shortage of style, just stick with the most attractive fit for you. If you have a boyish figure, you'll want to choose a feminine cut, with distinct lines that hold their own shape. A princess cut pea-coat or a 1940's inspired wrap coat will be stunning on you.

Have a look through their suggestions and consider which style best fits you. You can take their recommendations on cut, and translate it to fit your own personal style, be it sporty, classic or business. There is something for everyone, and since you'll be spending a lot of time in this coat, loving the way you look will make a big difference.

If you have older denim or blue jeans lying around, why not put them to good use instead of donating them or selling to a thrift store? Instead of hopping over to a local Kohl's or Pottery Barn for Kids outlet, you can make your own denim come alive again in several ways.

Some of the denim transformations will take a little skill, but think of how cool some of these items would be after turning that old pair of Levis into:

T-shirt recon is a rising fad but what about those other old shirts? Men's dress shirts that are no longer in style, he just doesn't like or have that stain on the sleeve that make wearing it to work impractical.

I found this photo tutorial for a recon of a man's dress shirt into a very sweet little girl's dress on the forums at Craftster. With a pair of scissors and a sewing machine the poster took a rather boring old shirt from a thrift store and made a charming sun dress for her daughter.

The poster's tutorial seems quite complete and easy to understand including photos to help you get this recon right. I can see this project working with any old grown-up shirt that buttons down the front. If you choose to try this one out have fun and don't forget Step 1, apply snacks frequently.