Shirts to Skirt | Restyle Revolution

With record numbers of CO2 levels currently making headline news, I thought it was it time to take matters into my own hands and do my part for the environment. As 2018 approaches we need to start making a difference in our lifestyles as the damage is too quickly becoming irreversible. After doing some research into the fashion industry, I was horrified to discover that in the UK, the average individual will produce 70 Kg of textiles waste in just one year![1] This makes it the 4th largest factor for creating environmental impact below housing, transport and food waste[2] Within our culture, disposal fashion has become very on trend. Cheap, quick fashion fixes that will last us until the next season, instead of items that will last us through many years and can be worn again and again. I have to admit, I am most definitely a perpetrator of this myself, but at least I'm aware and trying to make a change! It isn't easy with trends in fashion coming and going faster than ever before.

This is why I have decided to start a new segment of my blog where I take clothing items that I have either pulled out from the deep depths of my wardrobe or purchased from charity shops and transform it into something that suits my personal taste and saves the planet at the same time! A restyle revolution if you will!

We are going to begin with a project I started in the summer and I have only just got round to finishing! I found these two velvet shirts in a local charity shop and instantly I was inspired to change it into something new. I knew I would never wear either fo the shirts separately as they were difficult to style with other items I already owned, plus the green shirt had a rip going across the front that someone had tried to previously repair, which only made it easier to cut up this beautiful fabric.

To create the skirt, I used the same pattern I used to create my Cher Horowitz costume; an A-line skirt pattern from the Prima April 2017 edition. This particular pattern is fairly simple to follow and I would recommend it for most ability sewers. However, I wouldn't necessarily suggest using velvet shirts for all abilities, unless you're up for a challenge, as it was quite difficult ensuring that nap was facing the same direction when cutting out every piece and the cut velvet piles stuck to everything! Mess for days!

This skirt has a very 1970s feel to it due to the colour scheme of the emerald green and midnight blue that compliment each other well and embrace the earthy and muted tones of this era. The patchwork detailing also adds to the 70's vibe as this was a time not long after the "Make Do And Mend" wave, alongside the mini skirt style that follows through from the 1960s. Here I have chosen to style it with a long-sleeved black t-shirt from Primark to enhance the pop of colours from the skirt. 

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[1] https://www.ecooutfitters.co.uk/blog/fast-fashion-the-destruction-of-developing-countries/

[2] http://www.wrap.org.uk/sustainable-textiles/valuing-our-clothes

Tassel Earrings | DIY Christmas Present

Tassels have become a really big trend of 2017, whether it's on a jumper or in your ears, the fashion community is loving them! However, due to this trend being in its peak this Christmas, the items are still fairly pricey, so I decided to DIY a pair of tasseled earrings to give as a little extra stocking filler that costed me nothing to make! These earrings would be perfect for a friend who is always keeping up with the latest trends, or even a chic mum or auntie.

To create these, it was really simple and all you need is:

• Embroidery Thread. You could also use normal sewing thread, however, when I tried this I found that it tangled and knotted really easily. For reference, I used ivory embroidery thread to the length of 626cm, which was halved to 350cm per tassel and 13cm as a tie to secure all the threads together. However, it really depends on how long and thick you want your tassel to be.
• Jump Rings. You will need a total of 4 jump rings (2 per earring) to attach the tassels to the earring.
• Earring Backs. I personally used a kidney ear wire back as they were the only earring style I had available to me

Luckily, I had all these supplies at home as I used to really enjoy making my own jewellery, so I didn't have to buy anything. But, it wouldn't be expensive to get any of these, and probably still cheaper than buying a pre-made pair. You could also get your earring back from an old pair of earrings that you no long use, just as long as you sterilise them before giving them to someone else!

Step 1: Start by folding the length of your total thread in half to create two pieces.

Step 2: Lay your hand flat and tuck the end of one of your threads under your thumb pressed against your forefinger, wrap the thread around your 4 fingers until you reach the end. If you want shorter tassels, wrap the thread around less of your fingers.

Step 3: Gently slide the continuous loop of thread off of your fingers. Take your shorter length of thread and wrap it around the top of your loop until it feels secure, then tie it off.

Step 4: Attach one of the jump rings through your smaller loop that you just made using the tie. You may need plyers to do this step as I found the jump rings very hard to push apart.

Step 5: Attach the other jump ring to the previous jump ring and your earring back, before closing it shut making sure the ends are close together to ensure it won't fall apart.