Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts

Thursday, September 6, 2012

how to 'skinnify' your jeans...



Remember these? Last week I promised that I (well my ma) would show you how to 'skinnify' ones jeans/trousers. Before we started I assumed that this was gonna be really tricky. But is was easy. So easy that I feel rather stupid telling ye how. But I said I would so here it goes...


 You can sew them by hand if you wish but it would take much longer. If you aren't confident with a sewing machine get someone you know who is to help you. But this kind of sewing is quite simple. Even I can do it.



STEP 1: Figure out yourself how much there is to take off. It was roughly two inches at the bottom for me. Once you figured that out, mark on the jeans with some chalk where you need to sew. We marked from the end of the pocket down. When we were marking it we started at the edge and then tapered out gradually to the full two inches. You know your own legs best so you decide where and how much you'll need to taper off. For instance they might only need taken in from the knees down. 

STEP 2: Once both legs are finished a quick and easy way to see if both are even simply place one leg on top of the other one and line up the chalk on one leg to the edge of the other leg. If both chalk marks line up with their respective edges at the same time then it is even.

STEP 3: Now it's time to sew. Set the sewing machine to a single line stitching. Next, simply sew from the bottom of leg up to the bottom of the pocket by following the markings.* Once one leg is done, cut off the excess thread and repeat on the second leg.* It is good to remember that when you start and finish sewing you should sew back over the last inch of stitches. This way the stitches will keep. STEP 4: Once you have tried them on and are satisfied with the fit (remember you can keep doing this until you're happy, just rip the stitches) all you have left to do is to simply cut off the excess material.
And you're done! Told you it was easy.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

first world problems: baggy trousers...

I love the colour of these jeans. It was the deciding fact when buying them online. That and the fact that I needed a new pair of skinny jeans. Yes I said skinny jeans. They are supposed to look like this! But sadly like most skinny jeans that I try on/purchase they are terribly baggy once they make it half way down my thigh. I always thought I had fairly shapely legs but evidently for my size I got scrawny yolks for pins. I know what you're thinking, this is a ridiculous thing to complain about and I should be happy with my relatively slender legs. I probably should get over it but if my legs are one of my best features I should be able to show them off in skinny jeans and these are sadly not working... And what's even more sad is that this isn't a new problem.

I am half way between an apple shape and an hourglass shape. And one of the tips the experts gave women who were apples was to show off their slender legs in skinny trousers and I happen to agree. I look best in skinny pants. I don't have to wear heels to make them look nicer and I don't have to choose the "right" top to make other pants look more flattering on me. They are truly my go to pants. This is why I love those heavy ski-pant type leggings (well that and they are so very comfy!) So you can understand that it can get a little more than vexing when you can't find anything to fit your legs and your waist.

So I am gonna do my first DIY post. Well I won't be doing anything I'll just be documenting it. My mother (wonder women with a sewing machine) is going to make the legs of what can only be called my chinos smaller so that I can prance around all carefree like I do in my head. I decided to document this because I cannot be the only girl to have this problem, I simply can't!

The post will be up in a few days...


Wednesday, November 2, 2011

ahoy!


I thought I'd post it before it got too far away from Halloween... Last week was my course's Halloween party and in true Rose Tinted Uncertainty fashion I went as a 1940s pin up sailor. I really wish I had a good picture of the whole dress because it is indeed my favourite dress. I'm sure I will make an excuse to wear it again and then there will be photos, I promise.

Anyway I thought you'd all be interested in my attempt at victory rolls. Tricky little buggers indeed! Mountains of hairspray and patience were used. I was happy with the results though and I am planning on mastering the art so I can wear my hair like this more often (without the teeny sailor hat of course). I also had little white gloves as well... I looked awfully cute!

Hat: Made myself
Dress: Vivien of Holloway
Lipstick: Rimmel Alarm

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

The skirt that blood, sweat and tears built...




I made this skirt with my mother over a couple of days... It was all going smoothly until we needed to do the waistband, for some reason I could not spin it up on the sewing machine correctly. We must have done it about three times until we gave up and I let my mum do it. Then we had to put the zip in. We couldn't find the zip we bought, anywhere! So the next day we bought another zip. So after the zip was in and we hemmed it up and ironed it smooth and all that I went (gleefully) to try it on. Twas about three inches too big! Which confused us because we measured it correctly and I don't remember losing three inches off my waist in the past two weeks (if I have, yay!) I was not qualified to take the skirt correctly, regular sewing I was grand at but neither my mum or I trusted me to correct the mistake without ruining the skirt. So mum went back at the sewing machine, ripping out my good (in my opinion) sewing and re sewed it... After that I tried it on again. It was now too tight. I was thinking sure maybe I could live with it but mum took it off me again, ripped out the zip and then sewed it back on with a centimeter extra. 

Put it on...

Perfect.

Top/Heels: Penneys
Skirt: Homemade (material: Threads of Green)
Rings: Gifts

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Pretty bow in my hair...


Just a little post about the beauty that is holding my hair up. This gorgeous tie-dye bow was lovingly made for me by my best friend (and birthday girl) Molly. She made it for me over a year ago and I keep forgetting to wear it (but that doesn't mean I don't love it, or her). 

I had to get my greasy hair off my face (don't worry will be washing said hair soon for Molly's Birthday Bash) but a plain bun looked terrible on me, enter bow! A wonderful thing to distract myself and others from my neglected hair. Plus... (putting on squeaky cutie pie voice) it's just so pretty! I even co-ordinated my eye shadow with it for the photograph!

Thanks again Molly for my lovely bow! And Happy Birthday! xx

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Sheepish opulence...


So there are loads of trends for autumn/winter and as well as the lady like chic I am going to try and replicate another trend. I don't really know what you would call this trend but it is pretty much chunky woolies with glamourous pieces of clothing... An interesting clash to say the least and I believe completely wearable (I am certainly on a mission with this one!). 

Now I am not going to go as far as the above picture (though it would be a great excuse to buy a gorgeous silk gown). I have been thinking about this trend for the past week and thinking how it could be made wearable and chic...

Tights: Asos, Earrings: Etsy, Dres: River Island, Heels: Bordello, Ribbon: Local Haberdashery


Heels: Ted Baker, Sweater: River Island, Earrings: Etsy, Skirt: Couture Allure, Tights: As before, Ribbon: Local Haberdashery

I have created two outfits which I have already started created in my own wardrobe. Before the winter ends I will (hopefully) wear both of them. One is less wearable but I feel if I am brave enough it could work... The first outfit is easier to create because wooly dresses are popping up everywhere and if they are teamed with extravagant heels, seamed tights and some sparkling jewellery I believe it would be a soft version of this trend... Full skirts in opulent fabrics are hard to come by (which sucks). They one above is vintage. What I plan on doing its simply taking the top of an old dress of mine which no longer fits on the bust and hey presto I will have a full raw silk skirt and I've saved myself some money. Perfect.

Are there any winter trends you are going to make your own?

Friday, June 25, 2010

Atomic...


Blondie

Little Fish

My cousin Dani

So was at Blondie on Tuesday... It was brilliant!!! If I am half as cool as Debbie Harry when I am her age I will be a happy bunny. I have to thank my cousin Dani who brought me (she had a spare ticket and I got it whoop!).

Debbie Harry was so cool! She had a white wig on which looked really funky and she seemed to be channeling the "pixie fairy meets LA cop" look, which surprisingly worked on her. The bassist had boots that I really want. They were pointed ankle boots, red suede, very rock and roll I think (I don't care that they are man shoes). You can see them on the right hand side of the second picture.

The supporting act was called Little Fish and they were loud (but still good). The lead singer was a tad mental but enjoyable to watch and listen to. Their drummer was absolutely fantastic, loved watching him drum, twas so fast!

Also, I loved my top for that night. A few years ago I asked my friend to bring me back a "The Who" t-shirt from Oxygen. The only one she found was an xl man one that really didn't look right on but had a wonderful print. So I slashed off one of the sleeves, rolled up the other one and took it in a few inches. Et viola! Tis gorgeous (if I do say so myself).

Dani's outfit
Top: Penneys (neck stretched)
Leggings: Penneys
Flats: New Look

My Outfit
Necklace: Topshop
Top: Mens Oxygen t-shirt (DIY-ed)
Shorts/Bag: Penneys
Flats: River Island

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

One Word, Amazing...



So the Absolut Style @ Set was on this weekend and it was incredible! Everything I hoped and more... (smiley face!!!!!!) Blanaid really outdid herself this time!



Friday

Friday was a wonderfully relaxing day where my buddy Chris and I chilled with our feet up and our faces full of popcorn. It was the fashion movie day and it did not disappoint. The movies on the line up were: Breakfast at Tiffanys (has to be seen on the big screen), Valentino: The Last Emperor ( a really good documentary, would watch it again), The September Issue (made me feel so sorry for Anna Wintour which I was not expecting), Grey Gardens and Sex in the City. There were also hot dogs, cupcakes and crepes on sale (crepes were so yummy!) and the whole day seemed so relaxed which was perfect for Friday. Also the Set Theatre is simply gorgeous.... go in and have a peek if you can.


View from up on the balcony
The Dirty Fabulous Stand
The Bonzie stand
The Vintage Emporium stand
The Rebekah Patterson stand
Saturday

Oh where do I start???? Saturday was epic! I was in Heaven looking at all the vintage stuff. The chiffon, the netting, the beading! Everything looked so pretty and I wanted it all! All the exhibitors were so nice and friendly and were all dressed brilliantly! The stalls and stands were so extraordinary I was afraid to touch anything but they exhibitors were more than happy to let you try on everything (which I took full advantage of!). My favourite stands belonged to Dirty Fabulous (everything they had was divine, could not stop staring at their stand! They had a mix of vinatge stock and hand made items made from vintage pieces), Bonzie (they made all their own pieces hand made from vintage clothes/jewellery, they were so beautiful and quirky) and Rebekah Patterson (she made unique hats and headpieces that would surely get you noticed, one word: gorgeous!). I was also delighted to find plus size vintage clothes there, some even too big for me... Its good to know there is great vintage clothes for us bigger ladies!


The master classes were really good as well. I really enjoyed them. Annemarie O'Conner did a class in how to create a good capsule wardrobe and she knew what she was talking about. I agreed with everything she said... She had such a friendly presence that it made me want to listen to her.


Kieran O'Gorman and Co were full of life and fun to listen to during their master class. He made some really good points that made me think and I'm less afraid of hairdressers now (he he!).


Laura Cunningham is a smart cookie when it comes to shapes! Her master class was on dressing for your shape (I trust her: she was dressed brilliantly). I just need to figure out if I'm an apple or an hour glass, I had traits of both of them.






Saturday Night

The Mad Hatters Tea Party was unbelievable!! We had appletinis in teapots, pixie sticks, naked, gold dancers and a man on stilts! The dj-ing was brilliant throughout the night and I danced til my feet literally would not work anymore! My outfit is fairly demented which was the dress code so I didn't care. Blanaid I'm coming again next year, it was brilliant! And even though she told me she was stressed she certainly didn't look it! Gorgeous woman! Gorgeous event!

Feather stole: Gold
Chiffon top: Awear
Skirt: Awear (used to be dress)
Hair piece: Dirty Fabulous

All images are mine except the last two, they belong to Blanaid Hennessy.