On a long day of nothingness, my mind started to wander and I realized I had this big Surface To Air bag that I have never used… and quite frankly didn’t really like. I figured I’d have some fun and show you all.

I first started by cutting the center seams, and separating the inside lining. Easy peezy. After separating it, I realized that it was way too wide to handle, so I cut off about 2 inches from each edge. It was easy to keep them centered, because the inside of the bag has two magnetic buttons. Then, I got to sewing.

And there you have it! After cutting off the two inches, I flipping it inside out and started to sew. I was SHOCKED when my sewing machine handled the leather like butter! After flipping it inside out, we have this clutch. Now, I know that my book peaks out of it, and I was thinking of adding a leather flap, but I like the fact that you can see it. Now I can finally buy some Lisa Frank folders… Kidding. I like that I can have things peaking out. Also, it works well without it.

After that, I realized there was a whole bunch of leather left. The bottom bundle of the bag (shown above) was about 5 or 6 pieces leather squares stapled together  (Surface To Air Staples their bags?). I took them apart and started on my envelope clutch.

I took three of those squares, and set them up like this: two on top of each other, and one above (the folding part). Sewed it inside-out, flipped it in, sewed the upper corners together, and we have an envelope! It’s an awkward size, but I only realized that because it’s perfect for an iPad and notebooks, which I don’t have… at the moment.

After, I was still interested in having something small, so I made a wallet cover. I’m keeping that metal wallet due to recent news of people scanning your credit card as they walk past you – metal wallets block the scanner. Thank goodness these wallets are thin and not uncomfortable to carry. Anyway, I folded a third of it over to cover the wallet, and took it to the machine.

I now have three new leather goodies: Simple Laptop/Folder Clutch, iPad Leather Envelope, and a Leather Wallet. Thank you Surface to air bag! I even have more leather for later creations.

DIY Surface To Air Bag to Leather Clutches and a Wallet/

About a week ago I saw THESE Brain & Beast FW12 pants and semi fell in love, then was reminded of THESE Theyskens’ Theory SS12 pants and fell in love. I decided to make my own. Now, I realized half way through that this was a good DIY project I could’ve actually documented, but a description will have to do.

I payed a visit to No Relation, found 2 pairs of 550 Levi’s Denim Jean that I already have in black, and got to work. One pair (top) is a 28 waist, and the second is a 40 (I don’t think that’s my actual hip size, but they worked well with the width of the 28s). I first cut the legs off the 28s, overlapped the 40s, pinned them, and sewed the upper and lower belt seam onto the 28s. Then, considering the fact that they’re a size 40 jean, I measured about an inch-and-a-half into the inner legs, pinned, cut, and tapered them with the sewing machine.

I now have a pair of Double Levi’s 550 denim drop crotch jean, that are nice and fitted just how I’d like ‘em. Oh, and New York is not making me happy with this weather situation. Seriously, 60 degree weather in January?! Come on!

Thrift Silk Button Up / DIY Thrift Levi’s 550 Jean / Docs For Life

Around the corner from my job, right before Bowery, is a little flea market. Well, it’s actually a huge garage/fenced-in corner with tons of junk and so-called vintage items. I passed by last night to find them packing away old mannequins. That’s when I found my dream man for only $80! I had to carry it 7 blocks to the train (because my actual train wasn’t running) earlier today. A few crude comments such as “yeah grab that ass,” and “he’s a handful” were expected, and the trip down to Brooklyn went faster than I thought. Couldn’t be happier with what I found. One mans junk is another mans treasure, I suppose.