6 Reasons I Love Second-hand Clothes

by Evin // September 5, 2023 // No Comments

Last September, over on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, I shared daily videos of me sporting second-hand clothing in outfits. I am not doing it this year, but those posts are still up to enjoy and be inspired. 6 Reasons I... Continue reading →

How to Tie-Dye Cotton Shirts

by Evin // May 30, 2023 // No Comments

Though we often think of summer camp and cotton tee-shirts when we remember tie-dyeing, it can be done at home (outside) and with other kinds of cotton fabrics and clothing. For our tie-dye afternoon, we used polo shirts, tees, and... Continue reading →

Choose Upcycled Bedding for Your Next Sewing Project

by Evin // April 20, 2023 // 4 Comments

I recently started sewing from patterns for the first time. Until now, I just made clothes based on measurements and tried them on along the way. It is especially easy for me to do that with alterations. Since most of... Continue reading →

Rainbow Chevron Applique Kids Tee | EvinOK

Chevron Rainbow Appliqué Kids Tee

by Evin // July 21, 2022 // 2 Comments

Into each day a little rainbow shall shine through the clouds to brighten things up. And if the weather doesn’t cooperate, I’ll sew something! This chevron rainbow appliqué kids tee project is being shared today because this weekend marks the... Continue reading →

Using a patch to mend a sweater while adding character and personality | EvinOK

Using a Patch to Mend a Fine-knit Top While Adding Personality

by Evin // May 4, 2021 // No Comments

In 2006, I bought a lovely classic cream fine knit top to wear as a separate for work. It went with everything and was so soft. When I moved to Ireland from the Silicon Valley, it came with me. Fast... Continue reading →

When a Little Floral Print Goes a Long Way: Altering a Dress to be a Top

by Evin // April 20, 2021 // 2 Comments

Last year, I ordered a fun floral dress from H&M in anticipation of summer holidays we would never end up taking. But the dress got worn at home plenty of times and each time my husband laughed. Finally, he explained... Continue reading →

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

Summer Activity: Tie-dye!

by Evin // 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

by Evin // June 4, 2020 // 1 Comment

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

by Evin // 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

by Evin // 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

by Evin // 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

by Evin // 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

by Evin // 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

by Evin // 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

by Evin // 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

by Evin // 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

by Evin // 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

by Evin // 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

by Evin // 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

by Evin // 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 →