embroidered pouch

ignore the scrawl, it was a good idea in my head

Another DIY for you - and one I'm quite proud of, if I do say so myself. I decided to take inspiration from some ethnic style embroidered clutches I'd seen on Pinterest (here and here) and embroidered my own design onto some of the gorgeous pink raw silk I purchased a while ago. I then stitched the embroidered piece onto some canvas - actually a canvas tote bag I got from a local craft shop for about a euro and then cut up - and sewed it into a little purse. You too can recreate such a pouch with the help of the easy-to-follow tutorial I used, found here.

Me being me, I forgot to take photos during crafting - but however much I'd like to give the illusion that the process was effortless, truth is I spent countless evenings hunched over my embroidery hoop like a little old lady, cursing as I sewed the fabric to my trousers and stabbed myself repeatedly with the needle (by accident, I hasten to add)...Far from snapshot-worthy!

the raw ingredients (I chose a different kind of polka dot print in the end)

polka dot lining

check those sexy french knots

drawstring dress

So this is the first time my face has appeared properly on the blog - just don't expect any scary close ups any time soon from the un-photogenic me (sorry to disappoint)!

The other day I whipped up this grey jersey dress from-funnily enough-some grey jersey I had languishing in my stash. It was actually modelled on this American Apparel number and is basically a huge A-line vest top in shape, with a drawstring waist. As well as being incredibly easy to wear, it was incredibly easy to make, especially since I neglected hemming anything or finishing any seams - but hey, it's jersey and doesn't fray, plus it was too hot to sit baking at a sewing machine for hours on end, so I can forgive myself this once :D

(photos by my sister and her new toy camera)

sorry about the tongue, still getting the hang of this posing thing

eiffel tower skirt

If I were prouder, I would tell you that I completed this skirt well in time of the occasion it was made for, and that every stitch and slick of paint was lovingly and painstakingly undertaken with the utmost care. You don't need to know that I finished it the night before the ball I wore it to, or that I decided it would be a good idea to try and hand paint that amount of silk in approximately 4 art lessons. Nevertheless my struggles with the unruly tube of paint amused my classmates (apart from the ones I squirted it all over), and the less-than-perfect motif was intentionally 'rustic'. Promise.

It has a tulle underlay!

The waistband is black satin ribbon (just ignore the creases)

Plus, it's actually circular. Proof:

And here's a gratuitous close-up of the print-inspired by the structure of the Eiffel Tower.

Finally, here's my jive-ready outfit of the night. I had to cut off my head (on the photo, not in real life) because all the photos were really hideous and I wouldn't want to put you off your breakfast/lunch/dinner....

p.s. all photos taken by my sister