5 fashion-forward DIY accessory gift ideas

Remember that canvas tote you bought once at a gift shop or grocery store that has been sitting in the closet for, oh, forever? This super easy freezer paper stencil trick from Hrrrthrrr.com transforms your tote with household items and some fabric paint. Buy a bunch at the thrift store and use your original creations in place of wasteful wrapping paper to give gifts in style.

Photo via Hrrrthrrr.com.

Almost everyone has a spare T-shirt lying around, and if you don’t, you can find one at Goodwill for a buck or two. Tees make a great starting point for some easy, fun accessories with a personal twist. The blog “Henry Happened” has a wonderful tutorial for chic braided friendship bracelets using an old tee and some inexpensive cord. You could also turn an old tee into a one-of-a-kind bag perfect for shopping or the beach; this how-to by Etcetorize is a great method if you like to sew. Those who may not be so friendly with a needle and thread can try this awesome version by Gap, featured on Phillyburbs.com. If you’re using a plain tee, a simple bleach pen is the perfect tool for creating original designs. The Untrendy Life shows you how!

Photo via Henryhappened.com.

The ubiquitous black legging is such a great basic, but it’s the holidays! Let’s step it up a bit here and make something new and wonderful for our loved ones. Custom leggings are a great idea for kids and teens. Nylon Magazine shows us how to make leggings with super cool skull knee patches, but let your imagination go wild. Hearts and stars would also look great. You could go and buy a yard of fabric, as the tutorial suggests, or you could really up the DIY ante and cut patches from old jeans or a skirt. Look for a colorful floral print or an interesting texture like velvet. Have some leftover fabric paint? Jess from I Rock So What demonstrates how to take paint and tape and create patterned leggings for stylish kiddies.

Photo via Nylonmag.com.

Scarves are a great way to add a pop to everyday basics and make the perfect canvas for original art. Turn that old Pashmina collecting dust into a charming printed script scarf as demonstrated by Stamp 48 that your lit-loving friends will adore. You can easily tailor it for your lucky recipient with poetry or song quotes. If you are not keen on your penmanship, another option is to cut out shapes with a sponge and stamp a design on the scarf for a cool graphic look. Either way, they make a fab present.

Photo via Stamp48.com.