black velvet

Here's a little project I did today in between painting my mini collection (nearly finished!). I dug up this little black velvet cat dress I remember being thoroughly attached to as a child. Eeither I was a very fat kid or this dress swam on me because that's the only way I can explain how what used to be the under-bust of my childhood dress now fits my waist perfectly! I chopped off the skirt and added a zip so I could get in and out, shortened the hem and voila, the perfect black velvet mini skirt. I absolutely hate throwing out my baby clothes, so I think this is the best way of simultaneously keeping my childhood spirit alive whilst also recycling perfectly good fabric and reducing waste. I think I'll have to find a good use for the cute furry kitty face as well!

[wearing: Zara tee, H&M cuff, DIY velvet mini skirt, vintage clutch/rings/bracelet/watch]

blue steel

Here's my latest sewing venture: a metallic peplum jacket inspired by THIS gorgeous Ellery one shown at fashion week recently. Would have been so good in that black/forest green colour combo, but I work with what I have, and luckily I had a heap of this fabulous metallic blue taffeta sitting around. So tailoring is not really my forte, but I think I did pretty well considering this is my first attempt at a fitted jacket, or any jacket for that matter (excluding a fur disaster I had recently!). This sort of flashy jacket will be perfect paired with a nice simple little black dress or jeans and killer heels for a night out. Can't wait for it to get some public exposure.

[wearing with: Asos velvet trousers & cuffs, Santini heels, vintage bodysuit, ebay choker]

botanical

My new Sara Phillips dress. What can I say? Possibly the most gorgeous floral print I've ever laid eyes on. Did I mention it is pure silk and cost me a measly $150?! Unfortunately I think it's sold out now, but there are still some incredible bargains to be had at their online store HERE.

[Wearing: Sara Phillips cape dress, Windsor Smith Loren heels, choker from Ebay, Asos cuffs and vintage bracelet/ring]

midnight velvet

 So how do I avoid working on important uni assignments? Procrastination in the form of sewing! I came home from the Ellery sale yesterday and all I could think about were peplums, so rather than forking out a few hundred dollars I'd rather keep in my pocket I thought I'd try my hand at replicating one of the tops there. I was going to do a toile, but they always seem like a waste of time and fabric... I found this beautiful midnight blue cotton velvet in my collection, it's got a very small pile and feels lush and thick, exactly what I needed to hold fairly stiff gathering.

It's a pretty basic design, two sideless bust pieces with darts running down the front and a peplum. I left the hem raw to get a good fraying effect, similar to the Ellery ones, and added an invisible zip and a couple of hook & eye clasps down the centre back.

I'm looking forward to giving this piece a work out soon, probably will be wearing it with a bra though, just in case I twist the wrong way and flash some poor unsuspecting citizen.

Wearing with: Country Road jeans, H&M cuff, vintage bracelet and watch, necklace from Vietnam

splatter skirt

 My latest DIY involved reviving this nursey-looking navy blue pencil skirt I bought years ago from an op shop with the full intent of doing something creative with it. I went into this insane painting phase after getting all Van Gogh on my jeans in my last DIY HERE, and now I see a vast majority of my wardrobe as having the potential to look amazing if I splashed some paint on it! These urges must be reined in though, or else I will end up looking like a walking canvas (that a 2 year old painted).

So I promised myself this will be the last garment I paint for a while now. I started off with an ocean greeny-blue background and went a bit Jackson Pollock over the top of it. Unfortunately some of the white splatters look a lot like a bird pooped on it, but that's just the price you pay for being an inexperienced paint-flicker.

Wearing with: Asos top and boots, necklace from Vietnam, vintage ring and bracelet

perplexed

Inspired by Sharday and Gabby's posts on DIY perspex cuffs, I put some of the magical stuff to work this weekend. The project turned out a success and I can't wait to wear these bad boys out soon!

Wearing with: DIY laser-cut dress, Ebay sunglasses, DIY hose connector choker (sourced from Bunnings Warehouse!) and vintage ring.

dip dyed sunset

Another day, another DIY. I made this slip ages ago and have never worn it so I thought I would do something to jazz it up. Dip dyed the entire dress in blue and the hem in red dye for a purple sunset-ish effect. Not a very subtle gradation I know, but I think it looks pretty cool non-the-less.

I used these powder dyes for silk, cotton and rayon fabrics (pictured) which only set in the fabric when used alongside soda ash and rock salt (which I had run out of, using table salt instead).

I think this will be the perfect beach party dress, just as long as I don't blend in with the sunset!

Worn with: Henry Holland x Le Specs glasses, Verali wedges, breast plate from Vietnam and thrifted bangle