I've loved kimonos for a substantial amount of time now and have wanted to invest in one but the most gorgeous ones tend to retail at around £30-40 which I've not warranted as acceptable to part with money for. So after seeing the lovely Allie from tie-dye-eyes post a DIY tutorial recently on how to make your own, I whacked it on my summer to-do list and here's my little do it yourself kimono. I opted for a tropical style print and a white pom-pom trim to create a bright summer look! I also love Allie's black and gold coin combo!
Firstly you'll need to draft your pattern pieces based on your measurements, you'll find how to do this on Allie's tutorial.
Next, pin and cut out the front and back pieces, making sure the front has space for your neck. Cut the back piece on the fold of your fabric so that you have one piece and cut two of the front piece.
Next sew the kimono together with rolled hems and french seams to encase raw edges and improve quality, you will especially need to do this if you are using a lightweight fabric. Also make sure you don't pull the fabric towards you whilst sewing as this may rouche/gather the hems and seams.
Finally add trims and embellish as you wish!
Here's Allie's ace YouTube tutorial that I followed to make this kimono, I'm really happy with how it's turned out! Let me know if you try out this tutorial I would love to see what you make!
Here's a really simple DIY and YouTube tutorial of how to turn a maxi skirt into a dress. The idea behind this post was down to my mum throwing out a couple of maxi skirts with some pretty nice prints on so I salvaged them from the charity shop pile and decided to turn them into dresses starting with this blue polka dotty faded print which I love as it's perfect for summer! So overall this DIY cost me a grand total of ABSOLUTELY NADA! I decided to opt for a simple scoop neck, sleeveless dress which naturally took an A-Line silhouette from the shaping of the maxi skirt. Would you like to see another variation of this tutorial with different dress styles? (I am planning on doing this to the other maxi skirts but will not do a tutorial unless you guys want me to!) If you don't have an old maxi skirt lying around that you no longer have no need for or you want to try this DIY out you can always nip to a charity shop or even sale sections of Primark for a cheap maxi! Skip to the bottom of this post for my step by step YouTube video!
Here's what you'll need;
Maxi Skirt
Dress to trace around
Scissors
Pins
Tape Measure
Tailors Chalk
Sewing Machine
Firstly trace around the dress of your choice using a tailors chalk, making sure you add 2cm around the armholes and the necklines to account for seam allowances. Make sure that the armholes finish at the side seams of your maxi before cutting out. Draw different necklines for the front and back and try to make sure the traced outline is symmetrical.
Next, cut along the chalked lines. It might be easier if you draw the front of the dress first and cut out the first layer (up to the side seams) before tracing around the front layer to ensure the back layer is the same, make sure you draw a higher neckline for the back.
Now all that's left to do it sew the hems and shoulder seams (edges you have cut out from the maxi skirt). I would advise you use rolled hems and french seams so that the raw edges aren't visible and to make your final dress a better quality. If you don't know how to do this, simply google it and you will find an easy tutorial. Voila - once this is complete you have your finished dress!
I hope you liked this tutorial, make sure you like and subscribe to my YouTube channel and I would appreciate any feedback - good or bad! Hope you're having a fab summer and thank you for reading!
So I have fallen completely in love with the two-piece/co-ord trend at the minute but when they're being sold at 20+ pounds for each garment I just thought it wasn't worth investing in one (this was pre-student loan day). When I was at home over Easter I decided to whip one up myself in a purple gingham print because I also love the gingham print at the minute and I've always wanted to incorporate more sewing tutorials on my blog beings as I study fashion and just like doing this as a hobby (when I find the time). I picked up the gingham fabric and two zips from a local fabric store in Manchester for under a fiver, you really can't argue with that!
If you're not the best at sewing or are thinking 'I couldn't make that looking at this post, you definitely can it's really not that difficult, check out my DIY tutorial posts on my newly set up Youtube channel to see a step-by-step sewing guide for this two piece. I would love to see your two piece creations and love to hear your feedback as I know the filming and general editing of my videos are a bit shabby and need improving. The top tutorial has been live for a while but I've only just managed to write this post and finish the skirt tutorial because I've had copious amounts of coursework to do which got sent off on Friday (woo!) so I've only got one exam to go before I've finished second year, I hope coursework deadlines and revision is going well for anyone in college or uni! Anyway I'm rambling, I've posted both Youtube videos on this blog post and included instructions of how to draft the pattern pieces for the top and the skirt which is missing from the videos.
DIY Co-ord Tutorial Part One; Top
DIY Co-ord Tutorial Part Two; Skirt
Pattern Drafting Instructions;
Top
Take appropriate measurements as outlined in the diagram and draw the top pieces using the additional landmarks specified. Draw the pieces onto pattern paper if you have some, you can buy some from your local fabric store or even eBay! If not just tape A4 paper together. Any additional measurements added on these instructions are to allow for movement and good fit of the top and for darts.
My Measurements with Seam Allowance (will fit Petite Size 8-10)
I have included a diagram with the measurements that I used for my top that you may find easier to use if you are of a similar size! You can check specific measurements like bust and waist and alter them accordingly if these differ.
Facings
Take the pattern pieces as drawn previously and draw around the neckline and draw the facings of appropriate widths as shown. Seam allowances will also need to be added to these pieces which need to be; 1cm on the neckline and hemline and 1.5cm on the shoulder seams.
Seam Allowance
If you have drafted the pattern pieces with your own measurements and instructions from the first top diagram you will need to add the following seam allowances;
Skirt
Here is how to draft the pieces for the skirt, any additional measurements are to allow for movement and the creation of darts;
My Measurements with Seam Allowance (will fit Petite Size 8-10)
Again, here are the measurements that I used which should fit a size 8-10, these measurements include seam allowance so if you use these measurements don't add seam allowance which is outlined in the next diagram. Ignore this section if you are drafting your own pattern.
Seam Allowance
If you have drafted the pattern pieces with your own measurements and instructions from the first top diagram you will need to add the following seam allowances;
Lining and Facings
Once the seam allowances have been added, draw around both the front and back pieces again, take away 2cm from the waist measurement of the back piece to remove the dart from the lining. Next draw the same waistline curve 6cm below on both pieces to leave the facings and lining pieces, a 1cm seam allowance will need to be added to where these pieces have been cut.
Make sure you let me know if you try out this tutorial, I'd love to see what you make and good luck for anyone doing exams! x
Just a quick and easy D.I.Y post; I've been lampshade-less since moving into a new house for second year and have evidently been too lazy or forgetful to buy one for the best part of four months. So my Nan gave me one she had lying around at Christmas which she snapped up for £1.49 at Boyes (definitely student friendly if you're thinking of recreating this D.I.Y). Instead of having a boring plain-Jane white lampshade I decided to spruce it up by painting it with watercolour. Initially I wanted to paint pansies but because the paper on the lampshade is so absorbant this would have resulted in a sloppy mess, so I decided on poppies as the effects of the paper didn't matter so much. Here's the simple how to, you will need;
1x Paper Lampshade
1x Paintbrush
1x Watercolours
(Water and Newspaper if you're messy like me)
First, pop up the lampshade as instructed then you can either paint freely or draw general outlines in pencil first if you're not feeling confident but be careful not to press too hard. For this design I don't think you need to draw out the flowers as the messy, impressionistic style I find kind of works (although this wasn't my initial aim I got frustrated and then rushed the majority of the painting). Here's the finished lampshade which I think looks quite cute for so little money and effort!
So I've had this plain sleeveless shirt lying around for over a year and I've only worn it a handful of times (Story of my life). I wanted to spruce it up a little in an attempt for it to showcase itself outside of that of my cluttered wardrobe! Knowing that I wanted to do something with the collar so that the shirt would be more interesting with or without a jumper; I got my creative juices flowing and thought the best option would be to embroider a pattern on the collar.
I've seen embroidered/tapestry/cross-stitch garments hit the high street here and there in varying styles. My favourites taking influences from Japanese floral patterens and 19th century tapestries. Here are a few pieces that coincide with this DIY post;
I didn't want to directly copy any of these prints so I went in search of patterns that would flow well with the collar shape. Recently, I took a trip to London with my best friend where we visited the Saatchi and V&A in addition to mandatory shopping. In the V&A there were gorgeous Turkish tiles and ceramics which really inspired me so I thought these would be perfect for this little DIY project.
I collected a few images of Turkish floral designs and sketched the design that I wanted on the collar. I love the collar schemes on these Turkish tiles and the intricacy of their repeating patterns.
Here's my easy step by step guide of how to make your own DIY embroidered Collar. I must admit this was quite time consuming to make but I just did 15 minutes here and there at night with the telly on in the background!
Find an old shirt or buy a cheap one from Primark or eBay.
Trace the basic shape of your collar and sketch your design.
Pick some embroidery threads from a Hobbycraft, market or fabric shop. I was lucky my mum has a lot of embroidery threads!
Sketch in pencil the basic shapes of your design onto the collar itself.
Grab a needle and you're ready to go. I recommend that you divide the embroidery thread up; they're usually made up of 6 smaller threads so I divided them up into 3 lots of 2 threads so it was less bulky and easier to achieve more detailed shapes.
I sewed one colour at a time as I thought this was easier but it doesn't really matter. I also tried to make sure most of the stitches were facing the same direction to get the tapestry effect.
And there you have it, an easy way to liven up an old top. You could even embroider necklines of old tops not necessarily a collar, I might even embroider the pocket on this top to match if I find the time.
Although I think I could've taken more care when sewing the pattern and that it could be a lot neater I think I will wear this shirt far more than I have done, particularly in AW! Hope you enjoyed this post and let me know if you decide to make your own embroidered creations!
I've always been a fan of bandanas, how they can dress down and add an edge to an outfit. Similar prints like paisley and scarf seem to have been around for a while but recently I've noticed that bandana prints in particular are now making their way onto the clothing scene and having their limelight. Here are a few high street bandana print pieces that I've been lusting over.
The Illustrated people 2 piece caught my eye the most, I love it so much! Definitely want a two piece in my life soon! Although I love the emerging bandana print trend, I don't want to fork out a great deal of money on clothes over summer which this inspired me to make this DIY bandana print A-line style skirt which cost me roughly £3 believe it or not!
YOU WILL NEED;
2x Bandanas of a colour of your choice which can be found on eBay for 99p each! (see earlier link)
Zip (around 20cm should be long enough which you can buy from markets and stores like Beatties and fabric shops)
An optional 0.5m lining fabric
Scissors
Pins
Sewing Machine (if you don't have one, a needle and thread if you have the patience)
Buy two bandanas in a colour of your choice.
Cut both bandanas down to the length that you want the skirt to be (adding 1.5cm for allowance of the seam) If you are not including lining, I recommend just folding this section down rather than cutting it off.
Place both bandanas ontop of each other with right sides facing one another. Pin both bandanas together at one side to create half of the A-line shape. Try the skirt on to make sure the shape fits you correctly. If the shape fits well, put pins in the opposite side (through one layer only) to mark where the other side should also be sewn, making sure that it is symmetrical to the side that is already pinned.
Cut down the side where both layers are pinned together but 1.5cm away from the line of pins to account for the seam. Use a sewing machine to sew along this edge, following the 1.5cm seam allowance, taking pins out as you do so.
Similarly to step 4; cut down the other two layers on the opposite side where the pins are marked, again accounting for 1.5cm seam allowance. Take your zip and mark where it finishes by cutting a small triangle out of the side of both layers. Then sew from the bottom of the skirt up to this marking to complete this step.
To attach the zip; pin the right hand side of the zip to the upper layer of the skirt but make sure that the fabric is on top of the zip (so the zip is facing up but underneath this layer of fabric). The zip should finish where the seam you have just sewn starts. Change the foot of your sewing machine to a half presser foot and sew down this side of the zip as closely to the teeth as possible. Then turn the zip around as shown in picture 6. Pin the remaining zip edge to the other edge of the skirt, making sure that the raw edges are facing outwards like the other side of the zip you've just sewn.
Sew the remaining zip edge. To finish the skirt you can add a lining or sew the waistline down and turn the skirt inside out to reveal the finished skirt. I added darts on the back of the skirt and belt loops to help give the skirt more shape which you could also do.
Hope you enjoyed this DIY as much as I did making it, let me know if you make your own!
I was surprisingly happy about how the skirt turned out, mainly because of how cheap it was to make but I'm really pleased with it; the bandanas are so lightweight and perfect for summer!
So I've only just warmed to the Neon Green trend (late on the scene I know!). I decided purchased a neon green/lime green crop top from Internacionale whilst job hunting, defeating the object of the trip but I couldn't resist at £10.99 and they do student discount too!
I had a brainwave before wearing the top to spruce it up a bit by sewing an old floral headband on the neckline which I've not worn in forever! Here's my how to;
1. Find an old hairband! This daisy headband was a pound or so from Primark years ago! Or if you don't have one, buy a cheap one from Primark or eBay.
2. Cut the elastic off.
3. Use a plain top, new or spice up an old one!
4. Pin the hairband on in a desired format.
5/6. Use a needle and thread to secure in place and voila there you have it a cute-d up top. I also think it makes it look like I paid more for the top in the first place. This is so easy and quick to do, I'm going to see what other hairbands I can dig up!
Old primark Polka dot culottes and loads of rings!
Hope you like this post and have fun cutening-up your own tops!
