DIY projects #3 : Starter Kit
Hi dolls ! I thought it would perhaps be useful to write a bit about starter kit because we don’t talk so much about what we work with… So here’s just a few ideas to begin with. First you have to assemble your own kit, with the tools and stuff you wanna work with. This stuff is pretty expensive so of course you gonna build it little by little but you can already look through your house and find some cool things to put in your kit. Here are a few examples :
- Fabric markers (choose them well because some tend to be very pale on the fabric)
- Fabric paint, glitter glue (my fantasy land, I have more than 30 of these babies and it never seems enough ! some of them you have to use it on a plastic paper and iron it after on your fabric, some others you can use it already on the fabric, but I would advice to draw your idea on the fabric because proportions are bitches when you’re deep inside your work… been there ! Don’t forget to turn the fabric, put another fabric and iron it so the paint will survive washings)
- Buttons, charms, ribbons… All that crazy stuff you can play with later ! Buttons aren’t just for jackets, you can also use them as decorations. Obviously. Been there too. And it was really like Little House on the Prairie. Aouch.
- Sewing machine, of course but this just another game. Ask your mom or grand mom for basics. (Or your dad !)
- Kraft paper (for patterns), paper (drawings and stuff), cotton fabric, and of course fabrics you wanna work on.
- Sewing kit including : baby scissors (but bigger, especially those made for fabrics are the best), threads, thimble, needles, wire colling, rulers and so on.
- A tailor bust, you can find all sizes and it’s really helpful if you wanna do like big works.
- Brushes (for paint) but I also use toothbrush, fingers and other stuff like potato cut in shape, etc…
- I would advice to read some books, there are a lots about sewing which would be a great help when working with your machine, also all kind of books about design, drawing figures and getting inspiration. If you want I can post a few of my favorite books… ?
- Other stuff like : nail polish (yeah ! it stay just fine on a cotton fabric !), any other stuff that would be versatile and great to work with !
BASIC ADVICES :
- Always keep a little piece of fabric to preview what you’re going to do. You may want to be sure to color is right on the fabric’s shade.
- When you’re organizing your dressing and find clothes you don’t want to wear anymore, always think “can I customize this and be able to create something fresh and new?” if yes, keep it the way it is. If not, cut the fabric and keep parts you will use, maybe you like the print so much you wanna sew it on your shorts ? This is a simple way to clean your stuff + create some others without buying expensive fabrics.
DIY projects #2 : Customizing shorts
Hi everyone ! Hope you enjoyed my first steps-to-steps post, I choose to post this tonight, just to keep you fed until next time ;) So, this one is really easy, not really a step-to-step but anyway ! Got inspired by Bitching and Junkfood who sell amazing shorts on Asos and on their shop.but the prices are a bit expensive.
I just took some random vintage shorts and applied some giraffe fabric I got. For the cross, or any other shape, Google it to find inspiration on shapes and style. It’s really cool because you can do it all ways on your shorts :
- Printed fabrics (tartan, animals, fruits)
- All kinds of fabrics (leather, fur, shiny)
And of course, you can do what you want : shapes, appliqués, beading, or even replacing a back pocket with aztec fabric ! I put the photo reply button so you can show what you did as well :)
DIY projects #1 : Sewing patterns
Since one of you asked for more steps-to-steps projects, here’s one as a starter : how to make your very own sewing patterns !
1) First start by choosing one of your favourite tank, just simple sewings. Use some kraft paper to draw your pattern. Hide the sleeves (see below), draw dots for the actual size of your tank.
2) Then draw a full line (2cm next to the dots) because you’ll need some extra fabric to sew it ! Never forget that… And if you’re not sure, it’s always best to see things bigger than they are, otherwise you’ll have to do it all over again if it’s too small.
3) Now, separately, draw the sleeves, make sure to fold your paper so you’ll have like a card that opens up. Iron all your stuff (with a fabric on paper), so they all stay in shapes. Write down the parts of the tank, it’ll be easier to assemble them later.
4) Now you have all the sewing patterns you need to sew your own tank. Start with a loose and comfy one, because tube/skinny things aren’t the easiest.
Hope you liked it, next time I’m gonna post my steps as I’m making this tank !
Let me know what you think ;)
