Holi time is always a good time! Right? Wrong! Everyone only thinks about the part with sinful gujiyas and all that bhaang. What about the part that comes after? It’s all fun and games, until the next day, when you wake up and realise your face is the ugliest shade of pink. And that you’ve sacrificed another outfit to an obnoxious amount of pakka rang. However, thanks to my New Year’s resolution, I’m proud to tell you guys, I’ve found the best way to deal with the post-Holi version of your clothes. See, I promised myself I’d work on keeping a more positive and constructive attitude towards life. So, the solution to a more or less tie-and-dye situation is- *long drum roll* – one of a kind DIY hacks. From gift pouches to book covers, there’s so much you can do with your outfit, post-Holi. I hope you’re feeling crafty because here they are:
1. Wall Art
Whether it’s a T-shirt or a maxi skirt, your post-Holi outfit is enough to create some quirky wall art for your room. Cut up the fabric into a square or rectangle shape and staple it around the edges of a blank canvas board. Or, make several smaller ones to have a whole collection of ‘em. Isn’t DIY-ing fun?
2. Cushion Covers
You can never have too many statement cushions on that couch, can you? Well, add another one to that list. Get a small cushion from any home decor store and measure the surface out. Now, cut out two pieces, from your coloured clothes, using the cushion’s measurements. Don’t forget to leave a 2” margin on each side. Using fabric glue, stick 3 sides of the fabric together, leaving an opening to slide the cushion in through. Voila! Ready to go on the couch.
3. Bangles
Who would’ve thought, right? Put your post-holi clothes to good use and use it to make a bunch of pretty DIY cloth-covered bangles. What you need to do: just cut up thin long strips of your outfit. Now, get some regular wooden bangles from a street market and start wrapping them up in the cut up strips. When you’re done, use fabric glue to stick the ends. The result is a bohemian collection of printed bangles. Yay!
4. Headband
There’s not much to this trick. Just cut wide and long strips of your post-Holi outfit and tie it into a bow around your head. Or, knot it in the middle, and stick the opposite ends with fabric glue. Wear with a basic white tee and denim skirt combination.
5. Patches
Your wardrobe basics are going to thank you for this one. Think of all the looks you can create with just some coloured patches cut out of your post-Holi outfit. Give your humdrum pair of jeans a tie-and-dye makeover by glueing patches randomly over their length. Or glue elbow patches to a striped shirt to make it more fun!
6. Book Covers
Your diaries, notebooks and novels are about to look much cooler. How? Make covers out of your Holi coloured outfit and wrap your books up. You can also wrap gifts in pieces of coloured fabric from your post-Holi clothes.
7. Gift Pouches
There’s no joy like the joy of gifting, is there? And it’s even better when the goodies are in a pretty tie-and-dye effect pouch. You can either spend some time and stitch up a bag. But I’ve also got the lazy girls’ backs with this simpler DIY trick, cut up one big piece, place your goodies in the centre and bunch it up at the top. Then tie a piece of ribbon to secure the package. You’re welcome!
8. Table Mats
Imagine the satisfaction you’re going to feel while devouring your favourite food, on a table decorated with the quirkiest tie-and-dye placemats. All you need to do is hem the cut-outs of your coloured outfit. You can do this by folding back half-inch margins on all sides of the pieces and stick them to the back using fabric glue. There you have it!
Holi’s going to be fun, after all! Play safe, you guys.
Image courtesy: Pinterest
