child wearing handmade tie-dye tee and reading a book with a floppy sunhat on.

Summer Activity: Tie-dye!

June 23, 2020 // No Comments

I’m always looking for ways to upcycle old clothes, and tie-dye is the perfect way to bring a new, colourful lease of life to an unworn T-shirt. It’s a fun activity to do with kids too, so it’s a great... Continue reading →

Four handmade face masks hanging side-by-side.

Buy or Sew a Face Mask

June 4, 2020 // No Comments

I have been sewing cotton face masks for my family’s personal use from fabric and supplies I had already, so I thought it was about time I shared the resources I’ve been using with you as well as some tips... Continue reading →

Don’t Fear Hemming a Dress

September 5, 2019 // No Comments

I’m afraid of plenty of things from zombie clowns from outer space to mean girl bullies, but one thing I do not fear is making a mistake or doing something wrong. Mistakes, for the most part, can be fixed and... Continue reading →

Turning a too-small dress into a custom skirt | EvinOK

Altering a Too-Small Dress to be a Just-Right Skirt

August 8, 2019 // No Comments

A few years ago, I found a dress at a local charity shop (thrift store) and I fell in love with the fabric. When I shop, I look for fabrics first, including fibre content, then fit and size. I can... Continue reading →

Reinventing an Eyelet Top

July 25, 2019 // No Comments

I love the current eyelet trend and add ruffles?! I found a darling white eyelet top at Penney’s that is 100% cotton and it was when we had those few hot days after Easter, but before I had gotten out... Continue reading →

Easy Cut-off Shorts from Old Chinos

June 6, 2019 // No Comments

I have this favourite pair of Banana Republic chinos. I’ve had them for ages (over 13 years). But I just had not been wearing them lately. There was a tiny hole at the knee and they always looked a bit... Continue reading →

Lengthening a Polka Dot Dress

April 30, 2019 // No Comments

I really fell hard for this dress from Gap, but felt like the length was just a smudge too short for my taste. But there was no way I could match the fabric, so I started looking for something that... Continue reading →

Embracing the 80s with Upcycled Legwarmers

January 15, 2019 // No Comments

For Halloween 2018, I made a kind of fun 80s Rainbow Brite inspired costume. I didn’t stay completely true to her original style and worked with what I already owned. Yep, I own these things. The leggings are LulaRoe. The... Continue reading →

Altering a Dress to be a Tunic Top | EvinOK

Shortening a Dress to be a Tunic

September 18, 2018 // No Comments

I was reluctant for a long time. Leggings are NOT pants. Nope. I wore them when they were popular the first time many moons ago, there’s no way I’m wearing them again. Nope. Not happening. Then it happened and now... Continue reading →

Taking in a Thrift Shop Boho Top

September 6, 2018 // No Comments

I love checking out the local charity shops (thrift stores) in Cork city. I tend to find them rather hit or miss, but when I find something I love, it’s such a win. One such win is a new (New... Continue reading →

Patching Shredded Jeans for Winter Warmth

August 28, 2018 // No Comments

I have a favorite pair of Gap jeans. They’re comfortable and the right weight for Cork weather, but they are not great for winter because there are some shredded sections by the cuffs. And I know I’m being a Debbie... Continue reading →

How I Created My Frida Kahlo Halloween Costume | EvinOK.com

How I Created My Frida Kahlo Costume for Halloween

October 29, 2017 // No Comments

This year, I chose to be painter, inspiration, and Mexican cultural icon Frida Kahlo for Halloween. Because I had previously sewn or crafted my Halloween costumes, I decided to make it easy this year and combined store items. I had two... Continue reading →

How I Sewed My Homemade Elsa Halloween Costume

October 28, 2017 // No Comments

In 2015, I made myself an Elsa costume for Halloween. It all started two or three years earlier when I made myself a mermaid costume, using a second-hand formal dress as the base. Mermaids are all sequins and shells and... Continue reading →

Lengthening a Denim Dress

July 6, 2017 // 2 Comments

When the spring 2017 line came out at Gap several months ago, I was delighted to find a simple denim popover dress. It was a great everyday dress since it was casual, comfortable, machine washable, and as denim it goes with... Continue reading →

Ruffled Shirt Refashion: Now with 100% More Ruffles | EvinOK.com

Ruffled Top Refashion: Now with 100% More Ruffles

June 15, 2017 // No Comments

I am loving the gingham, stripes, eyelets, and ruffles in fashion right now. They are easily found in cotton and can be applied to many different styled garments for all shapes and sizes. Though, sometimes what the shops offer with... Continue reading →

Summer 2017 Capsule Wardrobe

June 1, 2017 // No Comments

I want to see if a capsule wardrobe is viable year-round. So, I chose my most comfortable items to live with as my summer 2017 capsule wardrobe. Of course, there are also a couple odds and ends included, like PJs,... Continue reading →

Low-rise jeans fix to keep the waist from sliding down

No More Plumber’s Smile with this Low Rise Jeans Fix

August 12, 2015 // 13 Comments

I love jeans or pants that fit me nicely…but then when I bend over or crouch down they shift and they appear ill-fitting and unkempt. I bought two pairs of soft stretch corduroy jeans at Gap last year and was in... Continue reading →

Testing Out a Capsule Wardrobe

June 19, 2014 // No Comments

So, next week, LB and I are off for eight days in Paris with my Dad. It will be fun, but knowing I have enough to keep track of with a toddler in the City of Lights, packing must be kept... Continue reading →

Editing Store-bought Knitwear

October 7, 2013 // 5 Comments

There it was, a charming gray jumper dress on sale in Dunnes on Patrick’s Street. The cables on the front were classic and I loved the button-up cowl neck, but the length was so very wrong for me. If I... Continue reading →

Fashion Stylist Approach to Cleaning Out Closets

July 4, 2013 // 1 Comment

Why is it I have an overflowing closet but end up wearing the same things week-to-week? Perhaps it is because I have an overflowing closet. To help solve this issue, I sat down with top local stylist Natasha Crowley who... Continue reading →