DIY SCARF PRINT SHORTS

With Coachella and a whole number of other summer festivals on the horizon,  your thoughts are probably turning to festival outfit planning, and how you can get your 'pocahontas goes to burning man' look down pat.   I've been lusting for a pair of scarf print shorts for agessss (remember this post?) and have decided that they are to be my uniform for this year's festivals. I've been seeing them everywhere in stores actually, but what's better than when they're quick and cheap to make yourself?  I mean, surely we don't want to be wearing our nice, expensive digs when we sit in mud (guaranteed to happen) or have sweaty men rub up against us in the crowds (if we're lucky). These simple scarf print shorts are perfect festival get up. So get amongst it!

You need:
- A cotton or silk style scarf - mine was a big one from H&M
- Elastic to fit around your waist
- A pen
- Scissors
- Thread
- A ruler
- Sewing pins
- Craft paper
- a pair of shorts to trace the pattern.

I recommend using a sewing machine for this project but if you are really super keen you could probably do it by hand also. Don't have a machine? Beg, borrow or steal - this project is worth it! Also - if you have a selvedger you should use that to finish the edges, but I don't and was happy with a rough look. They're for jumping up and down at festivals right?

1. First make the pattern by folding your shorts in half (front pockets on the outside) and then tracing them onto the craft paper. Look at you making patterns and stuff! So fancy!

2. Your pattern should look like this. Now add 2 cm (approx 1 in) to the bottom and sides of the pattern, and 4 cm (approx 1.5in) to the top (ie waistband) of the pattern.

3. Cut your pattern out. 

 

4. Fold your fabric in half, keeping in mind where you want your scarf pattern to sit. I would have liked to line the pattern up at the front with two right angles of pattern on each side of the shorts but I had first time jitters and went with the patterned hem instead.

 5. Pin the long straight edge of the pattern along the fold.

 
6. Cut out the fabric along the pattern.

7. Now cut out another piece of fabric using the pattern so you have two identical pieces.

 8. Pin the two pieces together right sides facing each other.

9. Sew the fabric with a straight stitch along the two curved edges - following the pin line shown below. You want to be quite careful how you sew these pieces together because you want your pattern to match up perfectly. Note that this seam will be the front seam of your shorts and the most important place for the pattern to match up.

10. Fold the shorts in together so the two sewn seams are facing each other. Then sew around the crotch where you can see the pins in the picture below.

11. Make the elasticated waistband by pinning the waistband down a few cm, sewing with a straight stitch and then threading with elastic. I squeeze my elastic onto a knitting needle to make it easier. Then sew the elastic  ends together and then sew the waistband shut.

12. Finally, finish all the raw edges with a zigzag stitch to reduce fraying and stop the shorts from splitting.

And there you have it! Possibly the easiest sewing project to do in the world - I actually first learnt it in Hom Ec in year 8. Once you have the process down pat go crazy experimenting with colours, textures and embellishments. If you want your shorts to be more full than mine ie with more fabric in them, make the pattern wider in the waistband by but keep the length the same.

Have fun!

DIY STUDDED DENIM CUT OFFS

Today I'm going to share with you a guest post from the lovely Julia of Free People. You may remember I posted about embellished denim cut offs a while ago, and so we decided to bring you a project you're all aching for - a tutorial for studded denim cut offs. Julia take it away!

I have been wanting to do this DIY for quite some time now, but with the current denim dressing feature on our website and studded trend I told you about yesterday, the stars all aligned and it finally came together this week! I’ve seen many ways to stud a pair of cutoffs or jeans, but the two images above, found on tumblr, really stood out to me. I love the subtlety of the triangle of studs on the cutoffs, and the torn back pocket folding over to reveal studs on the inside. The best part about this project is how easy and fun it is to do!

What you need: A pair of jeans or cutoffs (I used the fp denim cutoffs) and some studs of whatever shape or size you choose. You can find a variety of studs  on etsy  (or ofcourse studs and spikes).

I decided to use these little silver pyramid studs, and laid them out first on the shorts to make sure that’s where I wanted them.

I was able to poke the prongs of the stud right through the shorts very easily – then just press them down flat to hold the stud in place!

If you want to, you could also sew a piece of fabric over the studs, just to make them more comfortable against your skin.

I wish someone had warned me about how addicting studding can be… I now have the urge to stud all my clothing! 

Thanks Julia! I know that Free People have some studded  bits and pieces too if you are looking for inspiratio for your own studded project. And be sure to check out Free People's blog and keep an eye out for future DIY collabs. 

TREND: DIY DENIM CUT OFFS

Is it just me or are destroyed denim shorts where it's at right now? Ripped, studded, torn, bleached, dyed - it seems you don't have to scroll very far on instagram to see a legion of denim and stud clad bums. It seems everyone is trying their hand at making their own unique pair, and there really isn't any reason to hold back. I mean, who doesn't have an old pair of jeans in their cupboard that need some love?

To start, you use the tutorial I show you here to create the base for your project - a pair of perfectly shaped distressed cut offs. Then, go crazy with studs, paint, lace, fabric, dye (ombre of course!) and bleach to create your one-of-a-kind pair. Pair with thick tights, boots and a coat until summer lets you get your pins out uncovered!

 

Images: Jak & Jil, Pinterest, TFS

DIY STOLEN GIRLFRIENDS INSPIRED KNITTED SHORTS

Introducing my DIY knit shorts. Ok, so I can't knit to save myself, and it was  actually my boyfriend's mum who kindly made these for me (shout out to the best boyfriends mum ever!) after seeing my post about Barbro Anderson's knit shorts here (click through to her website for the tutorial). Check out her tutorial here. They're all sorts of Stolen Girlfriends Club and I feel pretty spoilt. I love putting these on along with my favorite soft jersey tee,  and hanging out on the couch pretending its not 42 degrees outside. I think this coming winter would be a good time  to learn how to use a set of knitting needles, but when does anyone (other than Charlotte York) have time to learn a new skill like that?

Blue Uniform

I have recently been completely taken with silk top and short sets. And bright blue colours like this one - which is a few shades south of cobalt.  I am loving the slightly 80's/uniform feel of wearing a top and shorts in the same fabric! It also gives the appearance of a onesie without the associated (and usually drunken) toilet debacles.What do you think, would you rock a matching set?

Wearing: A Pair & A Spare blue silk pocket front top and matching shorts with ribbon belt, River Island gladiator flats.

DIY Leopard Mini Shorts & the Central Wet Markets

Here are some pics of me in the Leopard print shorts I made from trousers and posted about here. This is last Sunday at the Central Wet Markets - a long street of produce stalls  in the centre of Hong Kong Island. When I get the chance I always buy fruit and vegies from here as they have amazing produce for next to nothing. I usually go with a semi-local friend who can fight it out with the stall owners for me over the price of flowers. She was nice enough to take these pics.

DIY leopard mini shorts & DIY lace cami

DIY Leopard Print Mini Shorts

I bought some very cute palazzo style pants in my local thrift store recently, but as stipulated by rules of the thrift store, I was unable to try them on (NO TRY MISSY NO TRY!!!). I got home and they were a good 4 inches too short for me ('expecting floods' length) - it is Asia after all. So I decided to make some shorts out of them. Simple job - measure, cut, sew, done. Outfit pics to come.

Before:

After: