DIY Tutorial Try-Out

Hello lovelies, and welcome to another DIY tutorial try-out!

I wanted to do something useful while I'm stuck at home with some kind of horrible sickness. I hate feeling unproductive. DIY comes in handy in these situations, because it doesn't use up all my energy and make me feel like death, but it helps me feel like I'm actually doing something.

For full-size, readable version, click here.

Today, I bring you instructions for some badass little zipper creations - a cuff, and a rosette/flowe brooch. These DIY pages are one of the reasons I still buy teen magazines. These tutorials came from Dolly magazine, who are pretty much legends for their relatively simple DIY tutes that can be made on the cheap. The six zippers I used for these two projects cost me $7.95, and the other stuff (needle, thread, button, safety pins) I already had lying around. Now, I forgot to take my "before", and "during" pictures today, so you'll just have to look at the finished products.

This is my version of the zipper cuff. Ultra-easy. Even though I was hand-sewing, and my hand sewing is incredibly slow, this only took me about half an hour to finish. I forgot to buy velcro so I'm fastening mine with saftey pins, which are a legitimate accessory to me.


My take on the zipper brooch - this is pretty easy too, but a little more fiddly. I used one more zipper than the instructions say, because I'm a wierdo who is obsessed with symmetry. This one probably took me about an hour, because there was more hand sewing, and general fiddling required.

So there you have it! Some instructions for super-cute accessories, that should cost you less than $10 to make. Hopefully next time I will have found a good tutorial for turning a men's shirt into a fitted, corset-backed shirt like Emily asked for last time. I'm on the case lovely!

Until next time, xo.

DIY Tutorial Try-Out

Hey there lovelies,

I know, bad blogger and all. I can't believe it's been over a week since I posted here! I've been so wrapped up in real life that I didn't even realise how much time had passed. For those who aren't in the know, I start a full-time position with Trade Secret tomorrow, as Head of the Ladieswear Department. Exciting no? So I've been busy procuring nice new uniforms, and trying to get a handle on things financially (but that's a whole other blog post). Anyway, I'm also debuting a new feature for my blog today - trying out, taking helpful pictures, breaking down the complex instructions and semi-reviewing DIY tutorials out of old magazines. I'm hoping these tutorials will act as a resource, and inspiration for you guys too!

Today's selection is this ultra-easy tote bag tutorial. Apologies for the crappy photo of the page, I couldn't get my scanner to co-operate that day. I've got larger picture of the tutorial here, since I know Blogger tends to resize pictures down pretty harshly.

This is what you start with - two long strips (25 x 112 cms), and two rectangular panels (36 x 42 cms).

Then, sew the two long strips together along one of the 25cm edges, turn the right sides of the fabric together, and sew down the 112cm edge, so you end up with a long tube.

Then turn the tube right side out, so that your pretty pattern is on the outside, and all the ugly stitching hiddin inside. This tube is going to become the side, bottom and strap of the tote bag.

Take one of the panels, fold one 36cm edge over and sew it down (like a hem). This panel is going to be one side of your bag. Starting at the midpoint of the other 36cm edge of the panel, and the midpoint of the tube, sew towards one corner. This bit is a little tricky - when you reach the corner, you need to swivel the material in the machine so that you change direction and begin sewing the tube and the 42cm edge of the panel together. Repeat this from the middle to the other side.

The result will be something like this - your bag now has one side. Just repeat the instructions on attaching the panel on the other side, and sew the top edges of the tube together to form the strap, and you're done.

Firstly, yay, you now have a cool new tote bag for carrying your shit around in. Secondly, this tutorial is super easy. I know I didn't do any of the usual good DIY sewing stuff (as in I didn't press my seams, iron my fabric beforehand, or pin anything), but this tutorial only took me about 20-30 minutes to complete. Easy as. I did find the instructions about where to attach different pieces confusing at first, but I think that is just because I have trouble visualising that in my head the first time I make a particular item. All in all, simple and fun tutorial - very useful, and suitable for beginners. Enjoy, and if you make the bag, post a link in the comments!

Until next time, xo.

P.S. Any particular item you want a tutorial for? I have a large collection of tutes in my trusty binder, and I might just have one that can help you out! Drop me an email with any requests.