The Do-It-Yourself technique is sweeping the nation as creative minds work to get their hands on cheap yet trendy designs. Magazines and fashion blogs often feature DIYs for their readers to get ideas and try their own.  These inventive ways of dressing are becoming more and more apparent right here at MFS.

Junior D’nea Spencer followed in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother who, since Spencer was six, have been making costumes for plays. She explained her interest in their creativity, saying, “When I saw them doing that I was like, ‘Oh, that’s so cool,’ how they can design and make all these different things.  I want to do that for myself.”  Spencer has found her niche in old t-shirts. She uses old or unused tees to create new swimsuit coverups, skirts, tank tops, and purses.

Junior Kirsten Mullen started out fixing torn socks when she was in elementary school and has since advanced to making skirts, crafting pajamas for her siblings, and adapting t-shirts.  Mullen took the sewing minor at MFS her freshman year, which taught her all she needed to know to create the garments she wears today. She is already planning her next project, which will be a 1950s summer dress with a yellow gingham print. She hopes that that “will be my favorite one.”

Junior Courtney Foat started sewing freshman year in the same elective as Mullen.  She has no background in fashion; freshman year was her first time making a garment.  Most of her pieces are made for the MLK fashion show and designed for Mullen to model.  She spoke about her favorite piece: “I do really like the handbag that I currently am making. I haven’t added the finishing touches on it, but it turned out really good.”  She continued, explaining some of her struggles, saying, “The handles on the bag were a pain. I hated those.”

Each of these girl’s talent has given them an advantage in both style and finances.  Mullen explained the benefits of making her own clothes, saying, “If you see something you like in the store, you can make it for cheaper, and you can do whatever you want to it.”