DIY JEWELED BLACK VELVET HEADBAND

It was pretty clear from looking at the red carpet at the Golden Globes that headbands are having a moment - and not just for the preppy crowd. The TODAY Show invited me to make my version of the black velvet headband worn by Michelle Williams at the awards - you can check out my post and also have a peek at Michelle's Golden Globes headband here. Read on for the most simple tutorial. Ever.

You need:

- Enough black velvet ribbon to wrap around your head.

- A couple of inches of black elastic, the same width as the velvet.

- A rhinestone or beaded feature for the headband. I used rhinestone embellished ribbon but you can also use a broach, beads, glittery belt buckle, single rhinestones or whatever you want to act as the sparkly feature for your headband.

- A needle and thread.

- Scissors.

How to:

1. Cut the ribbon to size by measuring it around your head - leaving a 3 inch gap at the back where you will sew the elastic to make it easier to wear.
2. Sew one side of the elastic to the underside of the ribbon.

3. Sew the other side of the elastic to the other side of the ribbon. You will now have a round headband.

4. Try the headband on to make sure it fits properly. Then look to decide where you want to attach your feature piece. Slightly off centre to the left or right side of your head usually looks the best.

And you're done! Could it be any easier? To wear it, I put in on while my hair is down, and then lightly pin my hair up once it is in place. Looks perfect worn with a breton top and jeans, or on a night out with a black silk cami and bright pink wide leg trousers.

DIY SONIA RYKIEL INSPIRED POM POM HEADBAND

I may be a little late on this bandwagon, but better late than never right? The Sonia Rykiel AW10 collection featured gorgeous pompom headbands which very much inspired me to DIY, but I never got around to it at the time. Recently I saw large clover pom pom makers for sale and decided it was time to get amongst it. I wore the headband to the Asos Tea Party I went to recentl (have you voted?), and it was so fun to wear!

You can of course use two doughnut shaped pieces of cardboard to make the pom poms (as seen here) but that takes a while and the clover makers aren't too expensive. They turn a two hour job into a 5 minute job so aren't a bad investment if you plan on making a few - you can buy them here or in craft stores.

You need:
A large clover pom pom maker - get the biggest you can find
Black wool
Scissors
A headband - pick a sturdy one

How to:
- Open half of the clover maker and wrap it fully with wool.
- Do the same to the other half.
- Close and secure the pom pom maker.
- Use scissors to cut the wool through the middle all the way around the clover maker.
- Pass wool through the clover maker to secure the pom pom.
- Open the pom pom maker to release the pom pom.
- Trim the pom pom of any loose strings and to the size you want it.
- Secure the pom pom to the headband, I tied mine using wool.

Voila! 

On a side note, I recently had the pleasure playing dress ups in the Ascot Hats millinery workshop - owned by my best friend's mum. I was lusting over this handmade pink tulle pompom headband which is a fantastic alternative to DIYing a wool version if you don't have the time or the patience. I'll be doing a post on my trip to the workshop in the coming weeks, but in the meantime check out the other works of art on Pam's blog, her facebook page or email her directly on pcameron@ascothats.com.au for enquiries.

 !!  VOTE  !!

Make sure you vote for your favourite look in the Asos Tea Party Competition to win £250 to spend at Asos! Voting closes 17th October.

Outfit photos courtesy of Carmen Chan and Sam.

DIY Pom Pom Headband

This gorgeous pic snapped by tommy ton reminded me of when I blogged a while ago about pom pom headbands (which are the tits!). Matching the colour of your pom pom with your hair is very cute too.

DIY at LFW - Reindeer Headband

Dredged this up from the recesses of LFW images, something silly to wear to Christmas Festivities? I think so! Make it yourself.

Image: Miguelle Santana

The Best DIY Trends of 2010

What DIY trends rocked your socks in 2010? I have gone back through my archives and had a look at the DIY trends that got a whole lotta of airtime. But don't think for a moment I'm saying these DIY trends are passe. Not at all! I'm not a trend hunter and I don't really buy into the 'new trend of the moment throw everything else you own out' attitude to fashion. Feel free to take these trends from 2010 through to 2015 if you you feel like it. A good DIY never gets old.

Collars
Miu Miu and Carven inspired a wave of collar DIYing, with most of us recessionistas preferring to DIY rather than buying for an arm and a leg. Why not cut a collar off a thirfted shirt or make one out of leather? Embellishment such as beads, studs, sequins, buttons and fringing added to collars on shirts was also seen on blogs, editorials, online stores and designers alike. A very satisfying DIY trend indeed. Check out all my posts on collars here for a bit of inspiration and some tutorials to make your own.

Images: Le Chic Muse / me

Shorts
All eyes have been on shorts in 2010, and they were (and still are) the bum cover of choice for festival goers and picnicers alike. Those of us not wanting to splurge on such tiny items went in droves to thrift stores and set about customizing denim, leather, linen and cotton shorts or trousers. Cutting off and making highwaisted is an easy and cost effective way to get amongst it. The adding of scalloping, lace, studs, rips and a whole host of other embellishments took the DIY a step further. As a rule I didn't buy shorts from anywhere but thrift shops as they are just so easy to DIY. If you don't have a sewing machine, a double fold over of the hem and then a light hand stitch works just as well in taking them up. Check out my shorts posts here if you feel you didn't get amongst it enough and need to get some inspiration. I know all the southern hemisphere peeps will be thinking about getting into shorts right about now so why not pop down to your local thrift shop and DIY your own?

Images:Transient Expressions,  Internodiciotto , SRC783, my own, The Velvet Bow, my own

Chain Harnesses
A very easy DIY that has been pretty popular for a while now (don't hate me if some of these trends have roots back earlier than 2010 - I'm definitely no fashion historian!). I think Rumi from fashion Toast and I Heart Norwegian Wood had a hand in the popularity of these body embellishments. So incredibly easy to make - basically all you need is some chain, jump rings and some small jewellery pliers. Check out this tutorial from Monoxious here for some inspiration. Don't buy when you can DIY.

Images: Fashion Toast 

Shoulderless
Just about everyone who saw this gorgeous picture of Hanneli Mustapata was inspired to make a shoulderless shirt. It helps that she is so utterly adorable and makes it look so chic. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I have a feeling that it was this image that sparked a whole series of designer copies, and millions of DIYs. I was very happy with a similar one that I made, and it was incredibly easy. Check out my tutorial here.

Images: Hanneli Mustapata, my DIY, Sophia from Owl vs Dove

Turbans
Channeling the 50's vibe, who doesn't love a good turban? The blogosphere provided a multitude of great tutorials for all of us to copy this past year. The Man Repeller and Honestly Wtf did a great job in showing us what to do so we could rock some great bad hair day headwear. Head here for some inspiration and a few tutorials.

Images: Man Repeller, Honestly Wtf, Frassy, Studded Hearts

Mouse/Rabbit Ears
Again, not going to bother to go back and analyse where this trend surfaced (I'm sure that Marc Jacobs and Madonna weren't the first to get amongst it) all I'm going to say is that ears as headwear is fun. And DIYable. Totes. Check out this great tutorial here from Carolines Mode. Its well easy to do, innit.

Images: Vanessa Jackman, Carolines Mode, me, Asos, Studded Hearts

Embellished Shoulders
Shoulders were big in 2010 (and 2009? I can't remember), both physically and metaphorically. Eager DIYers added embellished shoulder pads to cardies, blazers and plain tops. Fringing, sequins, studs, buttons and just about everything else was added to shoulders. Truly easy and always cute. Still loving this look.

Images: Anywho, Style Scrapbook, LFW day 2, Gary Pepper Vintage

OK there are sooo many more DIY faves from the last year, what were yours?