TRANSPARENT LUREX MESH MAXI SKIRT

- Jungle Fever print swimsuit, We Are Handsome

- up-cycled mesh maxi skirt

- Jungle Fever print artwork, We Are Handsome

- silver espadrilles, TOMS

Following the tropical temperatures we had in Berlin the past few weeks all I wanted to do was to cool off. We decided to try some of the nearby lakes (Groß Glienicker See & Schlachtensee) and were pleasantly surprised.  The water was amazingly clear and the kiddos absolutely loved exploring the 'wild jungle' forests ;) 

Since I like to carry as little as possible I decided to quickly upcycle myself a new maxi skirt to go with my jungle-fever swimsuit. The lush silver lurex mesh was an obvious choice of fabric since I love all things sparkly. I decided to contrast it with a waistband made from sporty cycling jersey which I had left over from the bomber jacket. The skirt has become a new favourite and creates an array of possible outfit mix-ups such as printed beach top combos for various occasions - everything from a lakeside or forest-midnight outing to just hanging with friends on a warm Summer evening.

Making the mesh maxi skirt requires a little time, some transparent sparkly mesh (or any jersey you have hanging around the house, maybe an old tube dress, etc.), some more jersey for the waistband, some elastic and a sewing machine.

I don’t even remember where I got this fabric from since people donate their preluved things to me all the time ;) 

It’s been in my to-upcycle pile for quite some time and already came as a long tube. Since the fabric is very transparent I folded excess fabric to the inside of the tube to create an under-layer and then added an elasticated waistband to the fold-over edge at the top.

1|| To prepare the skirt body you can also use a large jersey rectangle, fold in half & join at side seam.

2|| Prepare your elasticated waistband as per instructions, seal elastic at ends with overlocker and close waistband by stitching opposite ends together.

3|| Attach waistband to skirt by threading top of skirt through closed waistband - so the skirt lays inside the waistband - and stitch into place.

UPCYCLED DENIM SKIRT TUTORIAL

As promised I will show you how to make your own denim pencil from an old pair of jeans to complete your summer wardrobe. You will need a pair of old jeans, a sewing machine, tape measure, chalk, thread & pins and a craft knife for distressing - I chose a pair of stretchy denims since it gives a little more around the hip area but non-stretch jeans will be fine too.

1|| find a suitable pair of jeans (my sample is a size 8)
2|| on my sample I measured ca.27cm from top of waistband at side seam to determine cut off line
3|| mark with chalk and repeat on opposite side seam (includes 1cm seam allowance)
4|| cut off denim legs in straight (this is important) line and prepare bottom half
5|| prepare top half of skirt
6|| join top & bottom halves of skirt by pinning in place first before you sew them together
7|| add distress by scratching & slicing denim in desired places, finish off with a wash and fray extra if you wish!

Please let me know how you get on & show me a snapshot of your version on instagram :))

TRANSPARENT CLUTCH TUTORIAL

Summer holidays are a perfect time for creating some easy DIY accessories. The transparent clutch completes an easy summer outfit and is perfect to protect your essentials from splashes & sandy beaches.
In past season designers like Maison Martin Margiela have taken on the minimal cool of bubble wrap to define a futuristic look. To mix things up, you can experiment with various packaging materials or giant bubble wrap!
This simple tutorial only requires a sewing machine or heat sealer as well as:

// one large sheet of bubble wrap
// two press buttons (metal colour of your choice)

I up-cycled a bubble wrap bag from old delivery packaging with the sides already heat-sealed. But you can just fold up a single sheet of bubble wrap and sew up the sides with dtm or contrast cotton (left sides together).
Decide on size and style. My bag is a clean rectangle (40cm x 30cm) double folded (in this case 80cm x 30cm). Sew up sides and apply press buttons according to instructions (please see sketch for positioning). Fold over - close - done!

FIXING FASHION

War on Want is a UK based charity that fights poverty in developing countries together with grassroots organisations and people affected by globalisation.  Especially since the Rana Plaza factory collapse the fashion world woke up to the ugly truth of globalisation, I remember I did! Instead of fostering growth through innovation and passing on knowledge to the people & communities in the countries that are manufacturing our cheap clothing, globalisation shifted the power to huge transnational companies who started operating free of any social, economic or environmental concern.

Fast fashion is one big problem of our commercial clothing industry. It exists because of the huge consumer demand for incredibly low priced fashion, which creates a vicious cycle where one feeds the other...  I decided I no longer want to be part of it because at the end of the day we as consumers have the power to choose (wisely;)

To reduce my fashion consumption I set myself a wardrobe challenge to not buy any new clothes and instead either swap, buy vintage or refurbish!  I have to be honest, I do fancy something new to wear every so often and it is only natural that you go off certain shapes after a while!
This summer I started to scan my wardrobe for things that I still like but which I am not wearing for one reason or another.  First thing I chose was this leopard-print top.  I absolutely love animal prints but found the shape slightly unflattering.  To introduce a little fabric interest and translate it into a more drapey silhouette I inserted some metallic black jesrey left overs and fixed my need for new ;)

STEP BY STEP

If you have similar tops or tees you want to fix-up for a new summer look you can follow the step by step upcycle-tutorial.

UPCYCLED | Christmas Cards

Making cards and little decorations is one of the best ways to get into the Christmas spirit I find, well apart from hitting one of Berlin's many gorgeous Xmas markets... (The vegan market on Sophienstraße, in Mitte is next on my list ;)

To help you get in a festive mood this weekend I've prepared a little upcycling tutorial for Christmas cards using furnishing catalogues. Since I'm totally addicted to modern furniture I always collect a few catalogues throughout the year.  Most of them include beautiful imagery and are way too cool to throw in the recycling.

SKIM YOUR RECYCLING BIN

So skim your paper bin or mag basket and get slicing.  Any close up photographs, or funny slogans that you can somehow add the word Christmas to are suitable.
I've had a little play with some different fonts before I printed my captions on the back side of used printer paper.  For a base you want a nice sturdy plain carton or thin cardboard.  I had a catalogue and a few old calendars with plain white backs and covers which are perfect card backing material!  All that's left then is to stick your cut out captions to your images and finally to your base.

Handmade Christmas cards always add a very personal touch and by upcycling pre-used paper and carton you can experiment with great images by collaging them or working on top of them.  Either way it can be an exciting and new Christmas tradition that will also leave you with a clean green conscience ❤

BLOUSE | Nostalgia

I sometimes can't help feeling a hint of emotional attachment when I upcycle clothes - especially if they used to belong to a loved one...When my nan passed away last spring I've inherited half her wardrobe.  Since then I've been thinking of ideas to give her clothes a second life and keep her memory close to me.   When I was in desperate need for a blouse in preparation for my latest summer holiday I had an idea:

I chose my nan's soft mint pastel granny top, the kind that come in never-creasing polyester with quite horrid iron-on plastic jewel designs (sorry:).  I picked it because I loved its level of colour for the summer & the fact that it was quite shapeless as I wanted the blouse to be a little oversized/ square around the shoulders.

I planned on taking mostly plain bottoms on my trip so I decided to add a little print interest to the blouse by replacing the centre panel with a gorgeous patterned strip of silk which came from fabric off cuts.  Here's how to:

one mark CF & central panel on front, width to be ca. 10 cm minus 1cm seam allowance either side
two unpick neckline of marked area, cut away central panel along line marked by inside pin
three measure length needed for contrast panel, add hem allowance, pin hem contrast panel
four pin & sew contrast centre panel to body
five close neck line
six shorten sleeves or tuck shoulders if needed

FLOWER. VASE. BOTTLE.

June calls for some decorating. It might be a bit late for a spring rearrangement but since I have been completely tied up with Fashion Revolution Germany I feel now is a good time to share this little idea with you to freshen up your work or living space :)  I wanted to re-use some gorgeous glass bottles I've been collecting by turning them into flower vases for my front room. Since I can't throw anything away without trying to give it a second life I've decided to keep my birthday flowers from last September.  Dried up I've found them even more beautiful glowing in shades of vintage green & coral oranges. Tucked into a simple shaped clear bottle & against a white/ black backdrop they add a cool botanical touch to any table or sideboard plus I like the idea of not having to water them ;)

UPCYCLED DENIM

When The Upcycling Fashion Store put on an #InsideOut Photo Shoot for Fashion Revolution Germany last month I took the opportunity to upcycle an old pair of jeans and a leopard print cardi for ROHstoff.

Although the actual Fashion Revolution Day (24/04) just passed I believe the campaigns central question 'WHO MADE YOUR CLOTHES?' is valid all year round! Especially if you're upcycling your own unwanted or damaged textiles/ clothes to contribute to a more conscious way of consuming fashion! So here you go, have a look at the tutorial and get inventive! This also works really well if you want to repair any jeans with holes around the knee area, especially if you have little monsters like I do who just love sliding on their knees!

SKIM YOUR TEXTILE BIN

Search your cupboards for some old pair(s) of jeans and any other top with sleeves that you want to mix with your jeans!  I chose my fav pair of skinny jeans which had a hole and an old cardigan I once bought in a second hand shop but hardly ever wore.

STEP BY STEP

You will also need scissors, thread, pins and a sewing machine

Check here for the step by step tutorial.

DIY CHRISTMAS CARDS

 

I love the giving Christmas cards tradition and since it's December 1st today,  I'm in the mood for some 'basteling' (sorry - the German term beats any translation)

If you, like me, have difficulties to throw out nice paper or card board you'll be happy to see it turned into some stunning DIY Christmas cards ❤

SKIM YOUR RECYCLING BIN

I had a few old calendars lying around made from brilliantly smooth card which inspired the snowy backdrop for my bauble motif cards.  Just dig through your cupboards as all fashion catalogs / look books, add pages in glossies or even carton carrier bags make excellent card material.
For the baubles I've upcycled old gift wrap in different colours and textures - it's good to have a mix of plain and patterns if you go for a contrast design . To add a bit of detailing to the patterns I've sprinkled on some sequins from the local craft shop.

STEP BY STEP

I love this spire shaped bauble design as it totally vin-tages me... Dazzling & swinging, try it out.  Happy first advent!

UPCYCLED DENIM NECKLACE

Hey fellow upcyclists - here's a little weekend treat for you. It's predicted to be wet so why not stay in with a hot cuppa & make yourself a new necklace from just a few denim scraps & vintage trims! 

Just follow the steps below.  

You never know, your new creation might shift the cloudy mood plus you'll have something cool to wear out on Saturday night 

❤

SKIM YOUR TEXTILE BIN

Tear a few denim strips of an old pair of jeans / skirt.  I prefer to take material from along the seams because I like the stitching detail. 

STEP BY STEP

You will also need something to decorate your necklace with, I used some vintage earrings which I bought at Das Neue Schwarz a button from my Nan's sewing box & some safety pins which I collect of garment labels.

Check here for the step by step tutorial.

REMIX YOUR HOLIDAY WARDROBE - PART II

My sister gave me this old pair of denims a little while ago - they came in handy when I realised I didn't have enough bottoms to take on hols, especially as I had fancied some denim bermudas for quite some time now. I decided on a good length for me (inside leg: 13cm), cut off the legs and trimmed & hemmed the edges. To finish off I cut away the button guard as I wanted to show off the metal button stand which really boosts that fab high-waisted look especially with a classic oversized shirt tucked into it ❤

REMIX YOUR HOLIDAY WARDROBE - PART I

I had a slight panic attack when it came to packing my suitcase for this year's Croatia trip... my Summer wardrobe was literally non existent! Because of my increasing upcycling activities I haven't been to the shops as much. So I decided to head down to 'Colours' on Bergmannstrasse (❤) for some preluved shopping....One of my finds was this gorgeous leopard print vest. 

I decided to give it a little twist by cutting down the middle, getting rid of the button panel & replacing it with a black chiffon panel (width: 5cm) at the centre front. Adding a dart on either side of the centre front shifted its shape from flared to oversized-blouson which makes for an effortless cool look over a pair of denim bermudas.

COLLAR NECKLACE TUTORIAL

© Tassie Rowbotham

© Tassie Rowbotham

© Tassie Rowbotham

Here it comes - the collar necklace!  One of my all time fav accessories to lift any outfit.  Not that we haven't seen one before but now you can make your own!

All you need are some old fabric scraps from your textile recycling box and a nice fastening.
Love it - make it - wear it!

I was wearing mine at the premiere screening of post human wardrobe's fashion short film they've produced in collaboration with David Skynner .  The label is one to watch and created by the extremely talented Nim Gadhia.

SKIM YOUR TEXTILE BIN

The material I chose is a piece of my beloved nan's duvet covers,

dig through your no longer used textiles and I'm sure you'll find something very special you can use!

STEP BY STEP

To design your own custom made shirt collar pattern including collar stand follow the instructions of the amazing Emily Tao.

Check here for the step by step tutorial.

Et voila!  For my creation I sewed two vertical buttonholes in equal distance from collar stand edge and used one of my husbands bobbely cuff links as a fastening (he doesn't know yet!) I threaded a vintage chain necklace through the top of the cuff link to make for a great accessory - yeyh!

SLOGAN TEE TUTORIAL

I ❤ slogan Tees, they sure to make a statement without you having to say a word & are a great way to carry your point of view into the world...They give an edge to any outfit be it glam or denim, I like to wear mine with a perfectly tailored pencil skirt.  Here is how to make your own from a preloved Tshirt or top:

SKIM YOUR TEXTILE BIN

I used a Tshirt I hardly wear.  I don't like the print any more and it has stains on neck and front body but I love the nice thin jersey it's made from.  So I just turned it inside out & removed all labels.  For the letters I used black jersey courtesy of an old boyfriend Tee. You can pick any sort of black fabric, it can be denim, cotton or jersey.  Choose a light coloured piece of fabric for the backing that the letters will be attached to, I chose a left-over piece of cream crepe de chine on my slogan Tshirt.

STEP BY STEP

Check here for step by step tutorial. The font I used for my letters is varsity regular.

DENIM RING TUTORIAL

This little fine piece of jewellery was a quick trick I pulled out of my sleeve for a last minute workshop at the very inspiring Changing Course Berlin event

SKIM YOUR TEXTILE BIN

You don't need much, a small piece of denim, either tin or a very solid piece of card board, called carton board for the base which you may find in the bottom of an old shopping bag.

STEP BY STEP

Check here for pattern & step by step tutorial

PANELLED BOYFRIEND TEE

© Tassie Rowbotham

© James Castle © Tassie Rowbotham

This project has been an absolute joy as it allowed me to work with some very talented & dear friends of mine on one hand and on the other to transform old memories into a brand new garment! It's an excellent example how up-cycling can totally revamp your wardrobe with little effort and I am very happy to share it with you!

SKIM YOUR TEXTILE BIN

I've used an old tee of my gorgeous husband that he no longer wears. It's sprinkled with memories from when we first met which makes it extra special. For the panel I used some gorgeous fluid jersey which has been in my textiles box for years. Make sure to use some sort of stretch fabric for the sleeve panel as this tutorial is based on elastic cloth!

STEP BY STEP

Check here for step by step tutorial

GORGEOUS!!! What is your little girl's most wanted must-have accessory for the season - the peter pan collar necklace of course!  You can make her one all by yourself and doing something for the environment at the same time by recycling some old tshirts and granny's hankies! No boogers please!!! X

SKIM YOUR TEXTILE BIN

Choose a patterned hankie for the top collar - my favourites are paisleys!

Pick an old Tshirt for under collar piece (or vice versa) - my preference is grey marl -always looks cool on little girls

STEP BY STEP

Check here for pattern & step by step tutorial

Check out the reversible denim collar necklace tutorial as well!!!

REVERSIBLE DENIM COLLAR NECKLACE TUTORIAL

Gorgeous collar necklaces never go out of season - recycle some old pair of jeans and an old pillow case, preferably with some embroidery to make this reversible collar necklace for your little fashionista.

SKIM YOUR TEXTILE BIN

I chose a not so old pillow case, unfortunately it ripped so I could no longer use it. It has some lovely tone in tone embroidery in places so that is a nice feature for the colllar.

For the other side I used dark denim from a pre-worn pair of jeans

STEP BY STEP TUTORIAL

Check here for pattern & step by step tutorial