DIY Fur Cape

I've been meaning to post these photos and blog about these for for a while now, they aren't the best of photograph's as I've been working with the self timer on my webcam and my camera without anybody to take them for me/anybody to model - will try put some up when I get chance. As you will know if you've been reading my blog, I'd been making this Leopard print fur cape coat for my Final Major Project for a few weeks now. I'm aware how weather inappropriate it is for this season and the weather we've been having recently, but I have faith in the British weather to be unpredictable and how the cold rubbish weather is never too far away - it kept me nice and cosy in the bitter cold wind when I wore it yesterday! I also think that leopard print is a timeless print that comes in and out of fashion all the time and will last me for years. As my FMP is making a capsule wardrobe and using accessories to create many different outfits as well as recycling and re-using clothing in different ways, and I really like the idea of throwing this cape over the top of any outfit. I don't know if you'll be able to see it very well from these photo's I took in the process of making it, but it basically consists of a 7 piece pattern for both the lining and outer fabric, with holes for your arms and then the collar shape.

I also had a go at following the tutorial by Heather from Effie's Makeup Box. Super easy to make, I simply cut the sleeves and neckline from a top, then, using gaps of about 1cm, I cut upwards from the bottom in straight lines, to approximately halfway up the top - may have gone slightly too far with mine and a top underneath is needed to hide my modesty!

This is how it turned out anyway! I'm tempted to cut off the hem at the bottom of the fringing at some point, and to extend the sleeves to lower where the fringing starts.

I like the look of the grey fringing on black. Can also see the pocket watch that Tom bought me for my birthday in the photograph above :) getting quite a collection of clocks now!

Everybody's Free

Playing about with light effects with my camera. Used a scalpel to cut out the '(To wear sunscreen)' lettering from one of my unfinished screenprints on brown paper saying 'everybody's free' repeatedly. Used my laptop screen as background light, 2 of these with lyrics on the screen. Interesting technique, shall put up the final prints of these soon!

Studs.

Recently I've had a bit of an obsession with Studs and after much shopping around, blog perusing and Googling I came across StudsandPunks.co.uk. There's a pretty huge choice in styles and sizes and couldn't resist these small pyramid golden studs! Ideal for putting on my blazer collar and a few other of my DIY needs!

And now I've just stumbled on M&J Trimmings, an amazing online store for DIY bits and bobs, I'm sure these Hotfix Round Nailhead Studs are to be my next purchase, far easier and neater to iron on than fiddling about with glue. Cute, huh!

Peter pan detachable collar sewing pattern tutorial.

Making this at the weekend once I've finished making my leapord print fur cape I'm working on. Love it. Fits in with my Final major project an absolute treat. I'm working on the concept of attachable and interchangable collars and neckpieces that you can attach on to a plain dress/top/cape/coat etc to finish off the outfit and make it more wearable and looking at the interface between fashion and jewellery/accessories. This would also create a much more portable wardrobe, meaning a much more stable and economic use to clothing. The idea behind this would be that a simple outfit could be accessorised in many ways, creating a capsule wardrobe. Makes me dead giddy this project!

Thank you to Theowlsarenotwhattheyseem for this pattern and tutorial. It's actually pretty easy, even if you don't have much sewing experience!

Materials you will need:
• pattern
• 1/4 yard of fabric (cotton or a lightweight woven)
• 1/4 yard of light-med fusible interfacing
• ribbon (1/4” grosgrain is good)
• iron
• scissors
• pencil
• paper

Good luck! Let me know how you get on with this!

Bunting invitation cards

How incredibly cute do these look!
I'm so making some!
There's full instructions and a free download of printable bunting templates on Creature Comforts Blog right here :)

Homemade Microwavable Potato Chips

Ingredients:
1 russet potato
Non stick spray
Parchment paper or glass plate
Salt and Pepper

Directions:
Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the inside of your microwave. Carefully slice1/3 of a potato into paper thin slices using a mandoline, vegetable peeler, or sharp knife. You don’t want to cut any more than this because any extra slices laying around waiting to be cooked will turn pink in color. Completely coat the parchment paper with non-stick spray and place the potato slices in a single layer. Spray the potato slices with non stick spray and lightly sprinkle with salt and pepper. Turn off the rotating option on your microwave and cook for 4-5 minutes. Cooking times will vary based on the strength and power of your microwave. Some chips may turn very dark brown. Ideally you want them light and golden. Also in my microwave some of the chips on the outside layer didn’t cook as quick as the ones towards the middle, so you may need to remove the ones in the middle and cook the outer ones for an additional minute. Repeat the process until you’ve used your entire potato. Enjoy!

If you don’t have parchment paper you can easily use a glass plate. If you don’t have non-stick spray you can brush the parchment paper or glass plate with vegetable oil.. lay the potatoes down, and give the potatoes a light brush over again with oil. Also, the less crowded your plate and parchment paper is, the less problem you will have with the outside chips not cooking as quick as the ones in the middle.

Found this nifty recipe here: http://savorysweetlife.com/2010/03/potato-chips-recipe/