Tag Archives: Diy

DIY Sweater Boots for $15 or less. Move over UGGS!

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You don’t have to spend over $200 on a pair of UGGs sweater boots.  Make some yourself for less than $15!  Add some of your own personal style at the same time.  And they are much more eco-friendly… you are reusing old clothes!

I have never been a big fan of the bulky UGGS so this version is a sleeker, more personalized variation.  When I saw some girls wearing sweater boots a while back I eyed them up with my usual DIY eyeball… “I can make that…” I thought to myself.  And so I did.

$6 Shoe glue.
$4 Second-hand sweater
$4 Second-hand shoes
Buttons from your button collection or W.H.Y.

Directions:

  1. Find some shoes at a thrift store that fit well and are comfortable.  Who cares what they look like! Remove insole for later use.
  2. Using a sharp knife, cut upper off the sole, as closely as you can.
  3. Cut sleeves off old sweater, just above the shoulder.
  4. Cut edging of sweater off sweater to create an edging for your boots. Set aside.
  5. Fit the sweater over your foot and pull up as high as you like on your leg.
  6. Insert upper of shoe into the sleeve and adjust to where you want it.   Carefully put shoe glue between upper and sweater sleeve so the upper is in place.  It helps to do this while it is on your foot!
  7. Pull the sweater tight over the bottom of you foot and pin closed.  Stitch and trim excess so it isn’t lumpy when you step on it.
  8. Apply shoe glue to the sole of the shoe.  Place the sole on the sweater/upper and stand on it until it is dry enough to stay in place.
  9. Carefully squeeze glue into the edge of the sole/sweater and insert your sweater edging to make an edging for your boot, starting at the back of your boot going around to the front, and ending at the back of your boot.
  10. You can add a flap to the top of your boot by cutting and finishing the edge of the sweater and sewing it to the top of the boot.
  11. Insert insole.
  12. Add buttons, embroidery or lightweight buckles to add your own personal touch!
  13. Repeat with second boot and enjoy!

Tips:

  •  Your finished boot will require some attention when putting it on since there is a hidden upper inside the boot.  Put it on carefully!  If you are really creative, you could make a liner for the boot.
  • It helps to wear the boot while you are making it.  Except the sewing part…
  • To make the UGG-like boots with a stiff upper, find a pair of second-hand imitation UGGS, remove the sole, pull the sweater over the whole boot, fold it inside, and glue it down.  Glue the sole back on.
  • Use caution when using shoe glue.  It is toxic.  Use glue in a well-ventilated area.  Use gloves to protect your hands.

 

Top Posts of 2012: DIY Tutorials Rule The Roost!

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After reviewing the most viewed, shared and commented on posts from My Healthy Green Family, it is clear that do-it-yourself tutorials and recipes rule the roost!   Here they are, in order.

#1. Washing My Hair With Baking Soda

#2. Homemade All Natural Deodorant with Men and Women’s Fragrances

#3. Homemade Borax-Free Laundry Detergent with Price and Product Comparisons

#4. Homemade Borax-Free Dishwasher Detergent

#5. 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread That Rises Like White!

#6. Plastic Wrap Alternative: DIY Beeswax Cotton Wraps

#7. Homemade Citrus Vinegar Cleaner

#8. To Can or Not To Can? BPA Is the Question

#9. Whipped Body Butter with 2 Simple Ingredients

#10. DIY Faux Paper Towels: Upcycled, Eco-friendly and Cheap!

For more eco-friendly and economical tutorials check out My Healthy Green Family’s DIY Recipes page.

Thanks for all your encouragement, ideas and support over the year!  Watch for more tutorials coming soon.  See you in 2013!

 

Plastic Wrap Alternative: DIY Beeswax Cotton Wraps

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I was first introduced to beeswax-coated cotton wraps by Suzanne from Green Planet Parties.  They quickly became an important part of our food storage regime. They are beautiful, functional, reusable, economical and eco-friendly.  And, as I soon discovered, not difficult to make.

I have been trying to cut back our kitchen plastic usage for years.  I don’t trust plastic especially when it is holding food, and it is simply NOT sustainable.  I replaced all my plastic storage containers and zip lock bags with glass or stainless steel ones.  Other than the cost, those weren’t too difficult to switch over to.  The item that I had a greater challenge replacing was plastic wrap.  The convenience is difficult to replace.  These beeswax wraps, however, have single handedly eliminated plastic wrap from my kitchen.  They are great for wrapping cheese, covering dishes, or folding into snack bags.  They can even be sewn into small snack bags to be used at school or work if desired.

Plastic wrap (I used Saran wrap) is a wasteful, single-use, petroleum product that I am convinced is not an acceptable part of natural living.  When used to store or heat food, plastic leaches toxins into our food that we then consume.  Many studies have now proven that BPA, a chemical that is in many plastics, causes a number of unacceptable health issues in those who consume food products in contact with it.  All plastics contain chemicals, and some are not well-studied to prove their safety. Plastic wrap is no exception.  Beeswax cotton wraps provide a safe and effective alternative.

We have beeswax available all the time since we keep honey bees.  Beeswax is 100% natural, non-toxic, and relatively inexpensive.  I use it in my body product recipes such as hand lotions, body butters, deodorant and balms.  It is water-repellent and has natural antibacterial properties.  When applied to cotton, it renders the cotton “unbreathable” which helps maintain the proper moisture content when storing food.  These qualities make it a great candidate for a plastic wrap alternative.

When choosing your fabric, use 100% cotton (organic is preferable).  The ideal thickness is a sheeting cotton.  (Think, your bed sheets or pillow case).  You can reuse old sheets or pillow cases, or you can choose beautiful fabrics for fun.

If you would rather purchase these wraps made in North America by a sustainable company and priced reasonably, click here.

Materials

  • beeswax, grated (or pellets).  I use about 0.5 oz. of beeswax per wrap
  • 100% cotton fabric, cut to appropriate size (12×12 in. or 8×8 in. works for us)
  • old cookie sheet (that will be used for this purpose only, forever after)
  • paintbrush (that will be used for this purpose only, forever after)
  • chop stick for stirring the wax as it melts
  • cheese grater (used exclusively for beeswax)
  • a make-shift clothesline and clothes pins
  • oven

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 185F.  (Higher will burn the wax.  I know from experience…)
  2. Place pre cut fabric on cookie sheet.
  3. Sprinkle evenly and lightly with grated beeswax.  You don’t need a lot!
  4. Place in preheated oven.  Watch carefully!  This should take 5 minutes or less.
  5. As soon as the beeswax is just melted, remove from oven.
  6. Spread wax evenly with paintbrush to cover over any spots that are not yet coated.
  7. Hang on makeshift clothes line with clothes pegs, to dry.  Once cooled, you can use it!

Notes

  • If your wax starts to harden before you have evenly spread it, simply reheat it in the oven and try again.
  • This recipe uses less than 1 oz. of beeswax per sheet.
  • If you have a lot of wax left on the cookie sheet, place another piece of fabric on empty cookie sheet and it will absorb the extra wax.
  • All of the supplies except the beeswax can be purchased cheaply at thrift stores and can be used again for other DIY projects involving beeswax.  Purchase the beeswax through Mountain Rose Herbs, a trusted company carrying all sorts of ingredients for body products.
  • Wash in cool water with a mild soap.  I use liquid castile soap.
  • Each wrap will last several months or more depending on usage.

This post has been linked to Frugally Sustainable’s Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways #54, Fresh Eggs Daily: Farm Girl Blog Hop #10, Homestead Revivial’s Barn Hop # 89, and Real Food Forager’s Fat Tuesday November 20th.