DIY INSPIRATION: LACED HEELS

20th February 2013

Very excited about all the laced up heels I’ve been spotting at fashion week. What’s not to love? This is one trend I’d definitely going to be trying (and DIYing!).

Images: here

DIY RED JEWELED SKIRT

13th February 2013

Although the proverbial ‘diamonds are a girl’s best friend’ often rings true, rhinestones of all shapes and sizes come in a close second. And what could be better than a rhinestone adored piece of clothing that’s not only sartorially appropriate for your Valentines Day festivities (whether it be with a man or your gal pals) but also ticks the ‘one must wear red on Chinese New Year’ box (if that’s your bag obviously). Perfect for paying homage to the incoming year of the snake, as opposed to any other type of snake (cue winky face emoji). The best part about this project? It’s another sneaky before & after piece that won’t leave your bank account gasping for air. Hurrah!

Wearing: DIY Skirt, Zara singlet, Tony Bianco pumps, Coach watch, Mac ‘Lady Danger’ lipstick.

You need:

• A red skirt
• approx 15 black tear drop rhinestones
• approx 15 black round rhinestones
• approx 15 red round rhinestones
• Red thread
• A needle
• Chalk/pencil

How to:

1. My skirt was a long one from a local thrift store so I first shortened and hemmed it to a length I liked.

2. Lay out your rhinestones on the skirt to decide the design you like.

3. Try to keep is symmetrical, in lines but alternating the height.

4. Once you have decided on the pattern, use chalk to mark just above where the rhinestones sit so you know where to sew them.

5. Remove the rhinestones and then start to sew them on working from the top to the bottom. This is the point at which if you are very short on time you can use glue, although sewn on beads will last longer.

6. Sew them together carefully so they they sit in the pattern and the tear shaped beads point down. Cover the whole skirt matching the chalk marks you made, and the rub off the chalk with a cloth or dry sponge. Because I had shortened a longer skirt, the final step was for me to sew the hem of my skirt.

And voila! I’m looking forward to enjoying this red number over and over regardless of whether I get a Valentines Day date or not.

DIY BAROQUE SWEATSHIRT

7th December 2012

You need:
- A sweatshirt (this one is made from super soft organic cotton)
- A piece of baroque or brocade fabric
- Pearl Beads
- Gold beads
- Scissors
- Threads to match your brocade and sweatshirt.
- Pins

Watch the video to see how we went about it!

1. Cut some fabric to fit the shoulder panels of the sweater (you can use craft paper to trace the template if that makes it easier).
2. Pin and then sew the brocade pieces onto the shoulders. I just did a simple running stitch.
3. Take some pearl beads and sew them around the edges of the fabric pieces on the shoulders and also the neckline.
4. Lay your sweatshirt flat and put more pearl beads down to get an idea of the design you want on the body of the sweater.
5. Sew the pearl beads on.
6. If you want, sew some gold beads onto the body of the sweater to complete this festive design.

Get ready to party holiday style!