DIY - Glitter purse and kit - How to make a purse

We have just launched our glittering purse kit and here are the instructions on how to make it step by step.
If you would like to purchase the kit to make this purse it is available in the shop here. 

Your will need: The purse kit (buy here) 
                          sewing machine
                          clear thread (we used maderia)
                          needle and thread
                          heavy duty size 100 needle
                          zipper foot

You will have : 2 glitter purse pieces, 2 silk lining pieces, 2 tab pieces, 1 zip pull piece, 1 small split ring, one zipper

Step 1:  Sew the zipper to the glitter purse piece. Place the tabs across the zip and sew one side of the zip to the purse piece.
Slide the zipper pull to the centre and sew the other side to the zip. Trim the ends of the zipper.

Step 2: Leaving a 2cm gap at the top, sew the silk lining pieces together all around the curved edge.

Step 3. Fold the top of the silk lining down one side and pin to the zipper. Now sew in place. Repeat for the other side.

Step 4: Now fold the purse together. Tuck the lining up inside and sew around the outer of the purse so it fits securely together. Go round the edges again with a zip zag to finish.

Step 5: taking the long strip of glitter for the zip pull. Fold in half and tuck through the gold ring. Stitch in place.

There is your finished glittering purse. To embellish further you can applique one side or add more sparkly gemstones.
Store away from the light and don't worry about any glitter coming off, it never seems to loose it's sparkle. I've been using mine for a year!
 

                      

DIY - Corsage Hair Band

This little hair band or fascinator is perfect for using your favourite fabrics and finishing off outfits for weddings and occasions. It's quite nice, quick and effective.

Your will need: 5 meters of bias binding, small strips of silk or pretty fabric, thread and an alice band.

                           sewing machine, scissors and thread


1. Cut your fabric into three 5 cms x 35cms strips and edge in bias binding.

2. sew a long gathering stitch along the opposite length of fabric and gather the silk whilst twisting around on itself to form the roses.

3. Sew the roses in place and the sew to the Alice band. You can wrap your Alice band with binding or ribbon and glue to match your hair colour.

DIY - Pleated silk bridesmaids belt.

Todays DIY is a gorgeous pleated cinch belt, perfect for adding your wedding theme colours to simple bridesmaids dresses. 

You will need: 0.5 metres of silk dupion, 2 hooks and eyes, thread

Equipment: sewing machine, iron, needle and thread

Step1: start by folding your piece of fabric in half length-ways so you have a long rectangle.
Sew together and then turn inside out.

Step 2: Take your piece of silk and fold into pleats. This is easiest done by pleating the centre, fixing in place with pins and the pressing along all the pleats with the hot iron.

Step 3: measure the waist measurements you would like and then cut to size leaving 2.5cms seam allowance.
Then tuck the ends inside the belt, pin in place and stitch with a neat blind stitch.

 Step 4: sew the hooks and eyes on the inside of the belt to fasten and there is your finished silk cinch belt.

DIY - Organza Ribbon Rose Belt

This DIY belt is a pretty and delicate accessory to make whether as a gift or to wear with a dress or skirt. The use of organza ribbon and trimming it in satin adds lots of detail and texture to the sculpted roses. 

 Equipment needed: Sewing machine, thread, hand sewing needle, tape measure and scissors.

Materials:
4 meters of organza wire edged ribbon
5 meters of satin bias binding
2 hooks and eyes

Step1: measure your waist and adding 1" cut the ribbon to this length. Then cut the remaining length of ribbon into three.

Step 2: trim the edge of your man piece of ribbon that forms the belt either side with the bias binding.

Step 3: fold over the ends, stitch down and add the hooks and eyes to fasten.

 Step 4: trim just one edge of the remaining three pieces in bias binding.

Step 5: roll and secure one end of the ribbon length for the centre of your rose.

Step 6: taking the wire on the bare edge pull and gather the ribbon until it starts to curl and then wrap it around itself until a rose is formed. Stitch the gathered base together by hand to secure.

Step 7: now hand stitch each rose to your belt and there you are, all finished.

Try trimming with beads, using different colour combinations or using finer ribbon for the roses making more delicate corsage details.