Browsing Tag

skirt

Clothing

People Tree sample sale

November 30, 2014

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I cannot resist a good sample sale. Since I was in London anyway, last weekend I went along to the People Tree sample sale, just off Brick Lane. It was full of lots of beautiful, ethical clothes and there was even some of their designer collection on sale. I’ve featured People Tree before here and here and I really love their clothes. Plus, I have a hard time saying no to cat print dresses like those featured above.

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There were some lovely designer pieces on sale, including a range of Orla Kiely collaborations

The thing I was very surprised about was that there was hardly anyone at the sale. I’m used to sample sales where everyone is scrambling around, almost pushing everyone else out of the way to get that knocked-down dress (a bit like this scene from Friends), but happily, there was none of that and everyone was so kind and polite.

I was torn between these two skirts, but in the end I went for the one on the left

I walked away with a really nice, past season, polka dot skirt and a hat for the colder weather. I already own a pair of People Tree gloves and I bought some hand-knitted woollen socks some years ago, so I know that their wool lasts.

I kind of wish I could have bought more but with an already too-full suitcase to take back to Wales with me, plus a trip to Renegade craft fair immediately after the sale, I knew I couldn’t.

If you missed the People Tree sample sale, there is another one coming soon. More details can be found here.

Have you ever been to a sample sale? What has your experience been? I’m genuinely curious.

Clothing, Crafting ideas

Sewing co-ords

October 13, 2014

For a little while now I’ve toyed with the idea of making a co-ord top and skirt. I’ve seen others wearing them together and they look great, but I’m not sure I could pull of the whole midriff-on-show thing, so I think my best bet is to make an overlapping type of garment.

Perhaps something a little like this (click through for the original link – found via Pinterest):

I like the idea of a pale blue, but I would like to make something a little more wearable this autumn/winter. A darker gingham would be perfect, don’t you think? I really love this one in navy blue from Ebay. I might even make another in this tartan because tartan dresses always remind me of Christmas for some reason. I think it’s because the classic Yellow Pages advert was always on when I was a child.

As for a pattern, the top is made using this sewing pattern and this Salme skirt pattern could also work for the bottom. I think it would even be achievable to make my own skirt pattern.

If you want any more co-ord inspiration, I’ve pinned lots on my ‘DIYs and Crafts’ board. See here.

DIYs

Easy DIYs: Turn a pillowcase into a wearable skirt

October 20, 2012

An elastic skirt can be fun and easy to make. We show you how to transform that old pillowcase into a new skirt to wear to brighten up those cold, autumnal days

What you’ll need:

You will need a pillowcase, a length of elastic, a safety pin, a sewing machine and a pair of scissors

-A pillowcase

-A length of elastic the size of your waist

-A safety pin

-A pair of scissors

-A sewing machine

How to make:

1. Turn pillowcase inside out and cut at the seams

2. You should now have two pieces of fabric. Put these aside for a minute

3. Measure your waist with the elastic. Subtract two inches from this length and cut

4. Return to your fabric. Fold the longest side (width) of one piece over by 1 1/2 inches to make a casing for the elastic. Pin and sew, but leave the edges free as your elastic will go through this. Repeat with the second piece

Pin about an inch away from the edge to create a casing for the elastic

Sewing the casing for my elastic

Sew a casing for your elastic about an inch into your fabric

5. Attach the safety pin to one end of the elastic and thread through the casing of the first piece, bunching the fabric as you go. Repeat this for the second piece and then pin the two together, so that the skirt is inside out

Once you’re done sewing your casing, thread the safety pin through and bunch up the fabric as you go along. This creates the waistband of the skirt

6. Sew the front and back of the skirt together. Take the safety pin out and sew in the edges of the elastic

7. Hem the skirt and you’re done

Clothing, Crafting ideas

Thrifting

August 8, 2012

I’ve mentioned before about how useful charity shops are for sourcing fabric and cheap clothing. Today I went on a fashion binge in one of my local shops. I hadn’t been for ages, so it was a nice treat for my meagre budget and I ended up buying quite a lot for a small amount of money.

Firstly, I bought two vintage floral pillowcases, in different patterns. Together, these were only £1 and I’m planning to make elastic skirts out of them. Once I’ve made one, I’ll put the DIY on the blog.

The pillowcases that I picked up for £1

I also bought a very nice purple stripy top, originally from H&M, a yellow floral Dorothy Perkins skirt that I’ve been wanting for ages and a Peter Pan collared polka dot dress.

This stripy top was originally from H&M

The Dorothy Perkins skirt

The Peter Pan collared dress I bought from a charity shop

Unfortunately, as is often the case when buying things from charity shops, the skirt is too big. But you have to take the bad with the good and I’ll probably just sell it on eBay or use the fabric to make something small.