DIY Archives - Suzanne Carillo

I saw a super cute Desigual blazer over a year ago that was painted and embellished with handwriting on it. This was my inspiration…

Since I’m obsessed with wearing one-of-a-kind pieces this is my personal version I crafted using a thrifted blazer from Talize.

Embellished DIY Blazer

I painted some of it by hand, added my own buttons and trims, ironed on some embroidered patches, sewed on the heart elbows by hand and wrote some personally meaningful text that makes me happy.

Total cost?

About $15.

That is the great thing about keeping bits and bobs in your crafting studio, you have everything you need. I didn’t have to buy anything other than the blazer.

It was a labour of love without a doubt.

A great little DIY embellished blazer project that evolved over months. I started it way back when my sister and nieces visited last year. They created their own versions of altered jean jackets.

I didn’t finish it at the time because I was too busy helping everyone else with their jackets.

Thankfully the DIY bug struck again and I was able to finally finish it. A pet peeve of mine is unfitted projects so I’m really happy this one is done.

I styled it first below and then I went back and added some more text.

striped altered blazer suzanne carillo style — All items but shoes thrifted.

Some of the things I wrote on the blazer…

Don’t look back, you’re not going that way.

Tomorrow is promised to no one. Only yesterday is a guarantee.

Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose.

Lead with your heart. (on elbow)

Wear your heart on your sleeve. (on elbow)

Put a bird on it. (near the bird)

Dream without fear. Love without limits.

I plan to keep adding text when the mood strikes.

Either that or I’ll sell it. I haven’t decided yet.

Sometimes when I create I find that like life, it’s the journey that counts and not the destination.

Hey! That’s another text I need to add to the blazer ; P

What text would you write on your blazer?

DIY Embroidered Leather Skirt

I DIY’d this vintage 1980s thrifted leather skirt a while ago with some iron on patches I bought when visiting Hong Kong.

DIY Embroidered Leather Skirt Tips

You cannot iron on leather. Heat will crack leather. Iron on patches need to be glued or sewn on.
Fabric glue doesn’t work on leather. There are special glues available for leather.
Sewing is the most secure way to add embroidered patches to leather.
Figure out your design prior to sewing anything on and pin patches in place to ensure proper placement.

Initially I was tacking all the edges on the patches by hand but I finally bought some leather needles for my sewing machine and although it was still a pain in the butt I managed to sew around most of the jagged edges.

I’m really delighted with how it turned out.