Fashion Icon: PJ Harvey

I realize it's been a long while since I've done one of these- and I apologize. I hope and expect myself to start posting these much more often- at least once every other week- if not weekly because my goal is to be posting more often on here and see this blog grow.

So, I thought I'd focus on a few amazing rocker chicks for fashion icons- because music and fashion go together like peanut butter and jelly.

I love PJ Harvey, not only because of her rockin sounds but also for her androgynous persona.

 

 

She dons a well cut suit better than most men. while still classing it up like a lady.

 

 

I'm inspired by her flights of whimsy

 

 

Her classical rocker chic

 

 

And mostly this amazing number that has beautiful poetic sleeves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vintage Forever 21 Inspired Lace and Chain Collar Necklace DIY

(I had to give it a grand title hee hee!)

 

Ok so this is a really easy project and as it stated in the title it was inspired by a few necklaces I saw at Forever 21. And what's great about it is that it is super cute, can be worn with just about anything and it's a great statement piece.

What you'll need:

-A lace collar, I had one my grandmother had made and one I had ripped off of an old blouse of my mum's I went with the one that had been my mum's because it fit the chain I had.

-A chain necklace

-Needle

-Lace thread. You don't want to use a regular thread on this project because it will snap from the weight of the chain. I suggest using a lace tatting thread or a crochet lace cord. Either will work and you can find them at your local craft store in the crochet isle for around $3.

-Scissors

-Something to watch or listen to while you're doing this project.

-And some embelishment of your choice (but only if you want to).

-Needle nose pliers. (suggested)

-Snap (optional)

To begin with start by tying a knot to one end of your chain making sure to double knot it so it's really tight and secure. Cut off the excess thread that you don't want sticking up and showing later.

Start to sew your thread in and out betwen your lace and your chain. It's kind of like a whip stitch. Make sure you go through each chain link so you don't have any wonky gaps.

Sew until you reach the end of your collar. Tye it off making sure you have a nice secure knot. Then remove any excess chain with your needle nose pliers

If you like it as it is you can be done.

Or you can embelish it...

using an old jewelry pendent,

A pretty bow,

Or a flower.

I chose to go with a classic bow. I used a snap to attach it to the opposite side so it didn't tilt off to the side.

DIY Drawstring Backpack

I had a custom order for a bag that a little girl could use for ballet. The type of bag and materials were all left up to me so I had a lot of fun on this project. and it should only take about an hour to make if you don't get obsorbed watching old Project Runway episodes like I do.

What you'll need:
1/2 yard of fashion fabric
1/2 yard of lining fabric
fusable interfacing
fabric scissors
3.2 yards of ribbon or cord Or 116 inches
Sewing machine
thread
appliques of choice.
iron
straight pins
tailors chalk

To begin with cut 2 pieces of your lining fabric and 2 pieces of your fashion fabric 13'' by 15''. If you want applique whatever you want to the front piece of your fashion fabric.

Fuse your interfacing to the wrong sides of both of your lining fabrics.

Pin and hem a 1/4'' hem along the long sides of all of your fabric pieces.

Place the wrong sides of your fashion and lining fabric together. Mark with chalk .5'' and 2.5'' down from the top.

Fold once along the first line. You can press this down if you want.

Fold that fold over again so it meets up with your 2.5'' mark. Pin/press and sew. (It's important to get these messurments correct or else your drawstring back will look wonky) Also because you'll be going through more fabric and fabric with interfacing, you may need to lengthen your stitch length on your machine from here on out.

Pin along your sides and sew at a 5/8 seam allowance. Important! Do NOT sew the top part as that is the casing for your draw strings.

Cut your ribbon or cord so you have two 58'' pieces. Run one through both sides of casing.

Repeat with the second ribbon or cord so that it comes out of the other side.

(Note: If you are using ribbon like me it may take some adjustments to get them to lay correctly so that the ouside of the ribbon will be on the outside once you sew it in and turn your pack rightside out.)

Tuck your ribbon or cord through the opening of your pack and run it to the bottom of your back. Pin it along the bottom of pack and sew.

To make sure your pack is super secure you will want to sew a double line across the bottom.

Cut off excess fabric and overlock your end by using a zig-zag stitch. I went over mine twice. I also clipped the corners of my pack and went over that with a zig-zag stitch.

Turn your pack right side out and you're done!

Etsy Spotlight Unicorn Mullet

My friend and co-worker Skyler is the genius behind Unicorn Mullet. She does these cute little resin jewelry and polymer clay beads.

And what's really got me excited for her is that one of her rings has been featured on the cover and in the magazine of Harpers Bazaar Indonesia!

I am super proud of Skyler and so happy for her! You can visit her etsy page and check out some of her amazing stuff yourself at http://www.etsy.com/shop/unicornmullet