BEFORE & AFTER: THE ASYMMETRIC HEM MINI SKIRT

I noticed a little while ago that a subtle new skirt shape was popping up amongst many of my favourite brands - the asymmetric hem. Rather than a big cut out, this asymmetric shape has just a small triangle of fabric peeking over the edge of the hem - but it's this tiny detail that gets me. Today I'm going to share with you another before & after project - turning a (frankly tent-like) thrifted skirt into my own version of the asymmetric mini.

You may not be able to see it clearly in this photo but the original skirt had a waistline that was a little less than double my own, and that was a key element which allowed me to make the split hem.

A number of different asymmetric hem skirts inspired this project - including these two below - the Ellery 'Wei Wei' wrap skirt and a Kahlo navy leather number. I was also lightly channeling the amazing skirt shapes in the Proenzer Schouler AW12 show (recap here).

You need:
 - An oversized skirt with a zip in the back (rather than the side). Look for one at least 1.5 times the size of your waist. I was super happy to find this Stella-esque printed number in my local thrift store for less than a dollar.
- Scissors
- A needle and thread (and sewing machine if you want to change the length of the hem like I did)

 How to: 
 1. First I cut the skirt to mini length and hemmed it.

2. I put the skirt on (I have done it on the hanger here so you can see clearly) and wrapped it like a kilt or the way you would a towel, doubling the excess fabric over at the front.

3. I then pinned the folded edge to the front of the skirt, but first put it on a diagonal angle so that the hem dropped down to create the asymmetric shape.

4. Finally, I ironed and then stitched the top edge of the folded section to the front of the skirt, leaving the side edge free to allow for movement. I made sure to create a clean line along the waistband.

Wearing: DIY mini, Country Road Singlet, 'Karissa' Tony Bianco heels

DIY PRINTED TRIM MINI SKIRT

Being addicted to all things tribal, printed and mini I recently collaborated with College Fashion in making this embellished mini skirt that channels the bang-on-trend Aztec/tribal vibe that I love so much (check this out if you don't believe me!). At the risk of sounding like a broken record, for this project I took a little inspiration from one of my favourite Sass & Bide collections, a few pieces from which you can see below. Same same, but different.

I had a somewhat blah black thrifted skirt in my closet that I thought would be the perfect base for this project - and knew that with a little imagination I could make it something I would want to wear all the time come summer.

You need: 
- A skirt - check out your local thrift or dollar stores.
- Around 2 metres of embroidered trim
- A needle and thread (or sewing machine)
- Scissors

How to: 

1. To create the basic mini skirt, I shortened the longer skirt to mini length. To do this, measure the appropriate length by using a skirt you already wear as a guide for cutting.

2. Hem the skirt by rolling the fabric over and sewing down.

3. Cut two pieces of trim to match the length all the way around of the hem and waistband. If you want you can use a lighter to lightly singe the trim so it doesn't fray.

4. Hand sew (or use a sewing machine) to attach the printed trim to the waistband and the hem - sewing both edges to secure. Update: For the top piece I located the edges of the embroidered trim on either side of the back zip, and for the bottom piece I overlapped the trim and sewed  it down on the left hand side.

And there you have it, all done! A perfectly chic, on-trend and inexpensive mini skirt which will take you into spring without so much as a backwards glance.

Wearing: DIY Mini skirt | H&M t-shirt | Karen Walker Sunglasses | Mango Boots | Locally Designed Rings | DIY Bell Bracelets

On another note, I'm speaking next week on my favourite subject of reworked clothing and before & after  projects at a conference for Redress. Looking forward to it.

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DIY PEPLUM SKIRT

You probably already know that peplums are set to be a key trend this season. I was recently pondering how I could make my own version of the peplum - without having to faff around with bias cutting circular fabric etc. I then remembered a linen skirt that I thrifted a few weeks ago on a whim (one dollar yall!) and realised that its construction made it perfect for my next before & after project. The peplum skirt.

 Wearing: DIY Peplum skirt, Country Road Singlet, Karen Walker Sunglasses, DIY suede anklets (tutorial to come), heels courtesy of Tony Bianco.

The original skirt had a flared/fishtail style hem that was cut on the bias, not unlike the way a peplum is cut. I decided to remove it from the bottom of the skirt and resew it onto the top of the same skirt, this was actually a lot more simple than it looks.

Here's a little S/S12 peplum inspiration for you.

You need:

- A flared hem skirt (examples here and you'll find them in thrift stores )

- Scissors

- A sewing machine

- Thread matching your skirt

- Pins

How to:

1. First remove the flared part of the skirt using scissors. I did this by separating the seams so I didn't cut into the fabric and cause fraying.
2. My skirt only actually had the flared part at the sides and flat panels at the back and front. I cut the whole section off including the flat panels.

3. Cut the flared section into two panels to go on the sides of your skirt. I did this by putting the flared section on around my waist and working out how much fabric to remove to have the peplums sitting on the sides with about a 10cm gap in the middle.

4. Hem the edges of the peplum pieces so they look clean and polished.

6. Pin the peplum pieces to the skirt.

7. Sew the peplum pieces onto the skirt. My skirt had a zip in the back left hand side of the skirt so I sewed the peplum on but only to the edge of the zip, and then I attached the rest of the peplum (about 5cm) with a hook and eye. If your skirt has a zip in the middle of the back it will be much easier.

8. Finally I hemmed the skirt.

How easy was that? I wore it recently and it was a complete winner! For those of you who are interested, in these pics I'm also wearing another of my recent DIYs - black suede fringed anklets over the top of black suede Tony Bianco heels. Tutorial to come.

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BEFORE & AFTER: PRINTED CUT OUT DRESS

It seems we're all looking forward to the coming summer months, so I thought I would share with you another of my 'cheat' dress projects - a summer cut out dress. It's not exactly a traditional sewing project because I'm not sure a wrapped bodice counts, but it's simple and effective and I thought you might find it useful. For me this dress brings to mind Carven, Mara Hoffman and all manner of other fun S/S12 collections. Apologies to all of those of you for whom it is the middle of winter, indeed it is for me too in Hong Kong, but I did this project while I was in Australia on holidays! Something to bookmark for summer perhaps?

You need:
- A thrifted midi skirt
- Scissors
- Needle and thread
- Straps to make the halter - I used raffia

How to:

1. Put the skirt on and measure the minimum length you want.

2. Cut off the skirt about an inch below the minimum length.

3. Hem the mini skirt.

4. Cut the piece of leftover fabric open so it's a long strip of fabric.

You will now have a mini skirt and a piece of fabric left over from the hem - it should be  atleast 15cm wide to do this and wider if you have bigger breasts/wider ribcage.  Check out the moving image below to see how I wrap the top. I'm wearing a bikini top in the demonstration but would usually do it without anything on and just wrap really tight for support. You can wear a bra if you prefer - just make sure to cover it properly.

5.Start with the fabric behind your back - tuck the part of the fabric across your back into the waistband of the skirt so it looks like the back of a dress.

6. Holding the two ends with your hands, bring the two ends around across your breasts.

7. Twist the pieces of fabric in the middlen at the bust and bring back around in the direction they came.

8. Tuck into the waistband.

9. To add straps - pin them in place once you are wearing the top, then remove the top and sew the straps on.

10. When you are ready to wear the dress out, sew the ends of the fabric to the underside of the waistband of the skirt using a few small stitches, so it doesn't move around while you wear it.

And there you have it - another simple minimal sewing dress. You could use this process to create the perfect little back dress, and even use contrasting fabrics/straps etc to created an entirely different look.

Wearing: DIY dress, Witchery Heels, Karen Walker Sunglasses.

DIY DIP DYE [OMBRE] MINI SKIRT

I'm on a dip dying frenzy at the moment and nothing is safe. For me, the trick is to create the perfect gradation between the original colour and the dyed colour. The kids are calling it ombre (say it with me: ohm-bray). Want to know how you can do it yourself?

CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK'S HARPER'S BAZAAR TUTORIAL - THE OMBRE MINI

CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK'S HARPER'S BAZAAR TUTORIAL - THE OMBRE MINI

This week will be the last post for Harper's Bazaar for this year, but I've got so many projects planned with them for next year so look forward to a very creative 2012!

Wearing: Self designed silk singlet, DIY Dip Dyed Mini Skirt, locally designed metal belt, Zara suede boots.

BEFORE & AFTER: DIY TRIBAL PRINTED MINI DRESS

Ok so I have to admit to being completely and utterly addicted to before and after projects. Any sort of 'before = rubbish, after = rad' gets me.  Embarrassingly I sometimes find I'm unable to tear myself away from dodgy home reno shows, or worse, extreme makeover. For some reason I have a weird fascination with the cinderella-like transformations that are inherent in these projects, and I guess that's part of my love for majorly overhauling thrifted clothes.

I was recently rummaging through my local thrift shop and spied a hypnotizing tribal printed fabric (fyi - I like to keep on alert for fabrics when sorting through mounds of secondhand clothes) but when I pulled it out it came in the form of a not so sexy collared dress. Not totally unwearable but not something that was ever going to be at the top of my Saturday night party dress list. The fabric was so amazing and Mara Hoffman-like that I knew it was to be the subject of my next before&after project.

See, I told you the fabric was drool worthy didn't I? My bf tells me he thinks he had a bedsheet set in the same print when he was 6 but that's neither here nor there. When he said that I couldn't help but dream about the amazing cape I would make if I ever stumbled upon those bed sheets...

These were the particular Mara Hoffman s/s 2012 fabrics that inspired me. Umm same same, but different right?

To do this project I got a little tricky with a pair of scissors and my sewing machine.

How I did it:
1. First I cut off the collar (seen in this project) and turned the dress around so that the back was at the front. This gave me a completely different high necked look.
2. Then I took the dress in at the back of the waist by around 3 inches by sewing two new darts - it was key that the waist on this dress fitted snugly.
3. I measured and then cut about 15cm off the bottom of the skirt (I always go shorter when in doubt about a thrifted dress, it's an instant update!).
4. I cut about 6cm off the sleeves and rehemmed.
5. I folded the nape of the back of the dress into a V and sewed down.
6. Finally I swapped the mismatching white buttons for light pink ones that were more understated.

And there you have it. I also popped over to a friend's studio yesterday and used her overlocker to finish the hem properly.

I like to think that with a little love this dress emerged from its chrysalis into the butterfly that by rights this fabric deserves to be. I've been enjoying imagining all the places and outfits in which this dress will play a part in the future - perhaps I should warn all my friends back home that I may not be able to take it off at all while I am back for christmas!

Wearing: DIY dress, Zara suede boots.

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DIY [CARVEN INSPIRED] CUT OUT MINI DRESS

Taking a horrendous dress and turning it into something cute and wearable is what I love most about DIY, and all it takes is a little time and imagination. As some of you may know, I fell in love with the Carven SS12 collection, particularly the strategically placed cut outs on the dresses. I knew the triangular cut out was something I would have to try for myself.

Originally I wanted a dress with a bright print like the Carven fabrics, but was unable to find anything I liked. I snagged this pink dress from the $1 pile of my local thrift shop and thought I could use that instead. I tried the dress on when I got home and my boyfriend almost vommed, it was not flattering in any way. I was told I resembled a 'sister wife' farmer in my mid-calf length, puffed shoulder dress that was also about 4 inches too big in the waist.

Transforming this dress took a little time but not that much skill, and all of it can be done by hand if you don't have a sewing machine.

How I did it:

1. I cut the dress short and hemmed it.

2. I took the dress in at the waist by about 4 inches by sewing two thick darts in the back along the existing seam lines.

3. I then created the triangle in the front by cutting an upside down T into the front centre of the dress. I then folded the flaps of the T up and out to create the triangular opening.

4. I secured these using small stitches and then sewed the raw egde of the bottom of the T over to hem it.

5. Finally, I cut the sleeves off the dress and hemmed the new armholes.

6. I then gave the dress a really good iron, focusing on the hemmed areas.

All done! This dress is sure to get plenty of wear. I'll be donning it with some sheer spotted tights once the weather starts cooling down a bit in Hong Kong. If you like this look but don't like the exposed skin, you can always sew some sheer lace over the opening which I think would be very cute.

I hope this sort of project inspires you to be a bit imaginative with things you see in thrift stores. There's a world of possibilities once you get to grips with taking the scissors to your clothes. Happy DIYing! 

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DIY DISTRESSED DENIM CUT OFF SHORTS

Distressed denim cut offs are a definite wardrobe essential, and not just for summer - worn with opaque tights, ankle boots and a camel coat they transition perfectly into your autumn/winter wardrobe. Think Miranda Kerr off-duty chic. This week over at the Harper's BAZAAR Australia website I go back to basics and show you how to make your own.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY TUTORIAL OVER AT HARPER'S BAZAAR

CLICK HERE TO SEE MY TUTORIAL OVER AT HARPER'S BAZAAR

Happy Friday! Have you got any crafty projects planned for this weekend?

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