Ideal Bite

I don't own a TV, but when I did, Project Runway was my Wednesday night addiction (might be my gateway back to TV when it starts in August). So when I was invited to the Discarded to Divine benefit this month, I was all over it. The St. Vincent de Paul nonprof challenged local designers, including PR Season 4 alum Sweet P, to repurpose donated clothes into one-of-a-kind designs for auction. Jenifer and Hanah both scored gorgeous outfits, while my fave was a dress made by a 13-year-old girl (and unfortch, only fit her too). When I asked her how long she'd been sewing, she replied, "For 10 years, so since I was 3." I was impressed - I didn't nail a straight stitch until 7th grade, but this girl was making her own patterns too. I mean, what a great way to inspire kids to design their own duds without falling prey to ordinary-mass-produced-shipped-from-China mall trends.

Got a kid who's crafty? Here are some DIY finds to inspire the next fashion designer, photographer, and architect (green, natch).

-Senior Editor Theresa, off to boot up her 20-year-old Kenmore...