DIY TIPs

I tried searching for a specific thread on this with "DIY" in the search bar, but nothing really came up (if there's an official thread, point me there as I'd love to read!). I also have no clue where to put this, so it fits here perfectly! This is a thread to post any DIY projects you've done or have heard of that are cool (and preferably how to do them!). It ranges from fashion to production, reconstruction, deconstruction, modifying, etc. :D

My contribution is this neat site on making your own instruments:
http://www.geocities.com/tpe123/folkurban/index.html

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Permalink Reply by LesYpersound on March 20, 2009 at 12:59pm

I looked up the Uke: "The frets are flat toothpicks, glued to the surface of the fingerboard." LMAO. That's right... no excuses! :]

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Permalink Reply by osa on March 21, 2009 at 4:31pm

Hey Tala,
Thanks for starting this thread! DIY ethics/culture is at the heart of my Afro-Punk identity so I think this is really important. I'm really into DIY publishing, namely zine making. Right now, I make a zine called Shotgun Seamstress. It's a xerox copy fanzine that features the talent and writing of Black punk rockers. I'm not gonna explain how to make a zine right here, but if you wanna know how, send me a message or do a Google search for zine making tips. Also another resource is We Make Zines.

I'm also really into DIY punk shows, i.e. operating outside of the whole formal venue thing and setting up shows in houses, community centers, bookstores, record shops, etc. that are all-ages and really cheap. You can put on a show in your own living room if you have enough space (and if your neighbors are cool). All it takes is getting some bands/performers together, making a flyer and obtaining a PA for the mics to run through (most of the time you can borrow one). Most of the time DIY shows are free or extremely cheap ($3-5). Since the point is community building and being inclusive, we'll normally let people in whether they have the cash or not, and we normally only charge money to give bands for gas if they are on tour or had to drive from really far away.

I've found putting on DIY events to be extremely empowering because it makes you feel like you can really make things happen in your community and you don't have to be a "professional promoter" or whatever. And it gives you the power to make the kinds of shows you like happen instead of just waiting for them to happen. It also builds community because you end up meeting and talking to all kinds of people (including local business owners) when you're promoting a show. Also, it gives smaller performers and bands places to play and audiences to play for.

Here's a flyer from semi-recent DIY punk show in Portland, Oregon for the band the Younger Lovers. Dekum Manor is a house located in NE Portland. They host punk shows on a regular basis.

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Permalink Reply by Rosenda on March 21, 2009 at 10:00pm

I like that flyer!!!!

Well I'll add this, I'm amazed at how many and the varieties of "how to" videos are on Youtube. They could do a whole site with that alone.

Tons of vids on how to make your tshirts (whether it's altering a tshirt like this one for ladies http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6Tpw1Je5Pk making a fitted t shirt from a big oversize one to how to screenprint your own tshirts).

See, I could see a band doing it's own shirts, even if you didn't want to do it yourself, all you'd have to do is ask around and find an art student nearby who'd be willing to work on the shirts for you.

Photoshop stenciling:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL2rLofWtz0

On the sewing tip, for anyone learning that, I found this cool site that has a ton of vintage sewing instruction books.
http://www.vintagesewing.info/index.html

Another sewing/etc related site:
http://costumes.org/

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Permalink Reply by Jay on March 22, 2009 at 10:28pm

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeere do I begiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin

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Permalink Reply by Boudica on March 23, 2009 at 11:41pm

Awesome links, thanks! I like the idea of setting up a local gig.

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Permalink Reply by osa on March 27, 2009 at 1:59pm

You should do it! You'll meet tons of people and it's so much fun! It's a great idea, especially if you live in a town or city where there isn't much going on. Good luck with your future DIY projects!

Tala Boudica said:

Awesome links, thanks! I like the idea of setting up a local gig.

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Permalink Reply by foxtrot oscar on March 31, 2009 at 1:48pm

I tried starting a thread like this on the old site...

*daydreams about starting an AP crafty-a-long*

It died in the water.

I'm a DIYer - I've made clothes (until my sewing machine broke), 'zines and hosted music events but I've been lacking inspiration for a while.

Anyhoo, I highly recommend Make magazine - it's like ReadyMade mag but geekier. They also have loads of music instrument projects too and lots of user-generated content.

Just heard about this site to print your own glossy mags; however the print-and-photocopy method is an old favourite.

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Permalink Reply by Rosenda on April 5, 2009 at 6:16pm

More on the sewing yourself tip:

http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/HumanEcol/HumanEcol-idx?ty...

The above lists more old school basic sewing instruction books. The entire books are public domain and were scanned in clearly. Enjoy! And if you go to the Human Ecology home page link, they also have cookbooks and some old homemaker stuff for kids. Very funny that one of them says "things little girls like to do."

Oh, like go snowboarding? BAHAH!

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Permalink Reply by Boudica on April 7, 2009 at 1:57am

My first official DIY project is going to be converting my pretty plain Jane green jean jacket into something more alternative. I thought about dying it, but now I think I'll just modify it and attach some NA things to it as tribute to my heritage and interests.

Actually, I really do want to sew up a NA inspired belt as well. Hm.

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Permalink Reply by foxtrot oscar on April 8, 2009 at 8:06am

Tala Boudica said:

My first official DIY project is going to be converting my pretty plain Jane green jean jacket into something more alternative. I thought about dying it, but now I think I'll just modify it and attach some NA things to it as tribute to my heritage and interests.

Actually, I really do want to sew up a NA inspired belt as well. Hm.

Sorry what on earth is "NA"? All I've got is Narcotics Anonymous.

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Permalink Reply by Boudica on April 9, 2009 at 12:13am

LOL! Native American.

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Permalink Reply by Madamoiselle De Sade on April 22, 2009 at 1:31am

foxtrot oscar said:

Tala Boudica said:
My first official DIY project is going to be converting my pretty plain Jane green jean jacket into something more alternative. I thought about dying it, but now I think I'll just modify it and attach some NA things to it as tribute to my heritage and interests.

Actually, I really do want to sew up a NA inspired belt as well. Hm.

Sorry what on earth is "NA"? All I've got is Narcotics Anonymous.

Native American. I guess you guys don't hear a lot about that plight over there.

Wow, someone else is a Native American hero on this board? Sweet, that's like 3, now! ^__^