DIY Network

Wearable Words Make a well-read fashion statement. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-123

How would you like to wear a collage? You can, with this fun project from Michele Beschen. The B. Original host shows how to create a funky belt from magazine clippings and contact paper. As a bonus, she shares a project to turn a hardback book into a clever purse.

Scroll down for Michele Beschen's easy how-to.

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Magazine Clipping Belt

Materials:
belt (to determine size)
clear contact paper
book and magazine cutouts
awl
eyelets

Figure A

• Measure a belt that fits you and cut two strips of clear contact paper to your belt size.

• Place one strip on your work surface, sticky side up, and start filling it with cutouts from books and magazines.

• Once that strip is filled up, place the other strip of contact paper over it with the sticky side down (figure A). The reading material now is sandwiched between the two strips of contact paper.

• Lay your template belt on top of the contact paper belt and mark with an awl where you want the belt holes to go. Secure the holes with eyelets (figure B).

• Stitch around all edges of the project with a zig-zag stitch. Add a DIY belt buckle (figure C), and you're ready to show off your new belt.

Figure B

Figure C

Figure D

Recycled Book Handbag

For a matching "written word" handbag, remove the pages from a hardback book, line it with fabric and add handles (figure D). You can really jazz things up by giving the handbag book's cover the full recycled books treatment.