#punk diy

[thecassafrasstree]

Had a few folks interested in how I made the patches I posted for Solarpunk Aesthetic Week, so I thought I'd give y'all my step-by-step process for making hand-embroidered patches!

First, choose your fabric and draw on your design. You can use basically any fabric for this - for this project I'm using some felt I've had lying around in my stash for ages.

Next, choose your embroidery floss. For my patches I split my embroidery floss into two threads with 3 strands each, as pictured. You can use as many strands in your thread as you prefer, but for the main body of my patches I prefer 3 strands.

Next you're going to start filling your design using a back stitch.

First, put in a single stitch where you want your row to start.

Poke your needle up through the fabric 1 stitch-length away from your first stitch.

Poke your needle back down the same hole your last stitch went into so they line up end-to-end.

Repeat until you have a row of your desired length (usually the length of that colour section from one end to the other). Once you have your first row, you're going to do your next row slightly offset from your first row so that your stitches lay together in a brick pattern like this:

Make sure your rows of stitches are tight together, or you'll get gaps where the fabric shows through.

Rinse and repeat with rows of back stitch to fill in your patch design.

When you're almost to the end of your thread, poke your needle through to the back of the fabric and pull the thread under the back part of the stitching to tuck in the end. Don't worry if it looks messy - no one's gonna see the back anyway.

This next step is fully optional, but I think it makes the patch design really pop. Once your patch is filled in, you can use black embroidery floss to outline your design (or whatever colour you want to outline with - it's your patch, do what you want). I use the full thread (6 strands, not split) of embroidery floss to make a thicker outline.

I use the same back stitch I used to fill the piece to make an outline that adds some separation and detail. You could use most any 'outlining' stitch for this, but I just use back stitch because it's just easier for me to do.

Once you're finished embroidering your patch, it's time to cut it out!

Make sure to leave a little border around the edge to use for sewing your patch on your jacket/bag/blanket/whatever, and be careful not to accidentally cut through the stitches on the back of the patch.

If you have a sturdy enough fabric that isn't going to fray, you can just leave it like this. If not, I recommend using a whip stitch/satin stitch to seal in the exposed edges (I find that splitting your embroidery floss into 3-strand threads works best for this).

And then you're done! At this point you can put on iron-on backing if you want, or just sew it on whatever you wanna put it on. Making patches this way does take a long time, but I feel that the results are worth it.

Thanks for reading this tutorial! I hope it was helpful. If anyone makes patches using this method, I'd love to see them! 😁

[coveredinredpaint]

simple tutorial on how to make those bottlecap buttons you see everywhere

you'll need:

bottlecap•soda tab•safety pin•pliers•sandpaper/file•paint/paint markers/smth to decorate with•clear nail polish

remove the print on the buttons using a file or the sandpaper

(if you wanna keep the print skip this step, use a cloth to protect the print from scratches when folding down the sides of the cap)

fold down opposing sides of the cap, to help add in the safety pin

bend the tab at a slight angle, insert it into the cap. make sure the side of the safety pin that can not open is the one stuck under the tab

fold down one side of the cap to lock the tab in place, then try and press the tab as flat as you can, to lock the safety pin in place (prevents the buttons from moving on the safety pin, if you like rattling buttons, skip this step)

fold down all other sides of the cap

cover the button in one or more base layers of paint

add ur design (i use paint or paint markers for good coverage and vibrant colors)

cover that in one or two layers of nail polish, it will protect the button from rain and the paint from cracking

thats it, lemme know if you want tutorials on anything else, i like making em.

[affordablepunk]

I cannot stay silent. Boots. You cannot buy cheap boots new! They will need repairs every 3 months until they disintegrate after 1.5 years. Thrift your boots. If they are the wrong color, that just means you have painting to do! Thrift, or buy from an army surplus store. Best value you can find there, sadly.

Do not fear leather. You can love any leather back to good health with coconut oil. You can color it with food coloring. Leather is beautiful and good. Real leather looks upon pleather the way a sequia sees a gnat. Real leather can outlive you.

[crustgremlin]

Here's that crochet cardigan I was talking about! Apologies for the quality of the video it's ripped straight from my Instagram story lmao

[bramblepunk]

my patch skirt! a hefty boy. ive been working on this for over two years now!! most of the patches are handmade, and the little brown pouch with the beetle is handsewn as well.

[the-witchhunter]

You know, if Spider Punk gets people interested in punk, good. We all have to start somewhere and Hobie is a damn good representation. If he is what makes a person go “hey, this seems cool, I should check it out.” good. That’s one more person interested in punk and wanting to get into it. 

That being said, if you are new to punk(hi baby punks!) some things to keep in mind

1. Punk philosophy is largely anti-authoritarian. Individual and even punk communities differ on specifics, and some are more political than others, but the core themes tend to be resisting those who would control and oppress us, and supporting and including people in your community

2. Punk fashion SHOULD NOT BE EXPENSIVE. A lot of fashion companies will try and sell you jackets for a couple hundred bucks, but that’s just corporations trying to cash in on a subculture. A big part of Punk and its history is DIY because Punk should be open to everyone and putting that behind a fashion paywall is just not punk. You don’t even need to be dressing punk to BE punk, but thrift your clothes. Make stencils and use spray paint or bleach to give it a pattern. Use old jeans to make patches. Buy your spikes and studs in bulk and go wild. Turn your old t shirt that doesn't fit anymore into a back patch. Go crazy with some safety pins. You can make more with $30 than you can buy from a designer for $300. And skill is not needed, frankly if it looks a little wonky it makes it look more punk

3. Dental floss makes for good thread for sewing on patches. It’s good for thick, stylistic stitches and is both cheap and durable. Don’t know why I made this its own point but it’s one of the most common tricks for punk DIY besides taking paint to scraps of fabric to make a patch. Honestly, if you want to know how to do more, just ask other punks how they made their vests and jackets, they’ll probably be happy enough to tell you

4. Punk philosophy and music is closely related. The communities evolved around the music scene so it is closely linked. Give some punk bands a try if you haven't already. There’s a bunch of subgenres so you’ll probably find something you like. From OG “proto punk” where the sound was still developing into what we call punk, to pop punk, anarco punk, and folk punk. There are people who say you can’t be punk if you don’t listen to the music, and there’s a whole conversation to be had about all that, but it’s just a good idea to try listening to some punk music

5, Nazis fuck off

6. Seriously, nazis fuck off. There’s a whole history behind it and why we associate skinhead punks with neo nazis. Largely we’ve made it clear we don’t want nazis in our community and the street punk music scene that nazi punks became associated with has made strides to separate themselves from that.

7. Be cool and respectful of people regardless of religion, ethnicity, race, sexuality, gender, background, etc. Solidarity with our community is important and all sorts are welcome. Gatekeeping isn’t cool and frankly women and minorities have done a lot for punk as a whole. Respect for everyone

[genderqueerdykes]

Folks have asked for a tour of my vest so I finally got around to it. Here you go, my pin collection is ever growing and, most of them are from local artists

[tenderanarchist]

I think the funniest thing that normies don’t realize is that punks LOVE arts and crafts. Patches and studs? Arts and crafts. Collaging band posters? Arts and crafts. Mohawk and hair dye in your bathroom? Arts and crafts. We are happiest with a pair of scissors and a glue stick and some paint

[21stc3nturyd1gitalb0y]

outfit pics i guess

[c0y0t3b0n3z]

Stamp :3

For patches and public walls (lol totally kidding Im a law abiding citizen/j)

Making more patches and spencils about gender affirming healthcare because yk, I live in Florida and still can't access it (Please help)

[cripple-punk-dad]

Listen to me please listen listen YOUR BATTLE VEST/JACKET/WHATEVER DOESN'T HAVE TO BE 100% FINISHED FOR YOU TO WEAR IT I don't know where to belief that you hafta finish diying everything before you can wear diy clothing came from but it is wrong. Put half-finished patches on there! If you didn't have time to finish sewing one on the stick the needle in the vest and finish sewing it on while you're riding the bus! I don't care! Do whatever you want forever! Peace and love on planet punk rock!

[coveredinredpaint]

made a cuff using the hospital bracelet i got during top surgery, wanted to wear it until it fell off but it didnt work with my sensory issues

embroidered the trans and nonbinary symbol on it, im really happy with how it turned out

[zinesbylennon]

I added a water bottle pocket to my pants!

This came up due to the fact I use Lyft bikes to get around and they don't have bottle holders, so I placed this pocket here because this part of my leg remains relatively upright while pedaling.

Heres the initial proof of concept

But it looked rather silly especially when not in use. It also flopped around a lot when a full drink is being held and I was walking around so I started to look into ways to collapse it and secure it when in use.

First attempt came up with this:

Which looks nice, but wouldn't help restrain the movement of the pocket with a bottle in it.

So I moved to this belt design, using straps I had designed for the pants in an earlier iteration.

And it works like a charm.

Holds the bottle in place, is easy to fold away, and looks nice in use.

Though not sure I like the red and might switch to black straps but I'd love to hear all your thoughts and possible improvements!

[metach]

DIYed a new shirt

[crustgremlin]

I think a lot of people, esp younger people and those newer to the scene, kinda don't understand what "punks dress punk" actually means

It's not some kinda elitist thing, and it's not 100% mandatory if doing so isn't accessible to you for whatever reason

What "punks dress punk" means is that we dress for ourselves and in a way that deviates from societal norms/what is typically "employable" and "acceptable" because that's what punk is about, it's about deviating from what is expected and what is palatable

[ratten-man]

Belt pouch I made after a while of fantasizing about it <3

I find it quite funny that coincidentally reptil diy did a video on a bag like this, like a day after i finished it, shouldve waited for his video instead of what i did lol :D

It isnt the prettiest and i still have to install a zipper but im very happy with it. It holds small things that i always forget to specifically bring with me when leaving the house