Dapper Dog

I recently got a French Bulldog puppy called Neville, I've wanted one of these dogs for a long time now and finally persuaded my dad! I want my pampered pooch to be trendy so today I made him cute patterned bow tie out of some fabric I was given from a family member. I used poppers as the fastening so I can adjust it as he gets bigger. 

I'm thinking of making some more accessories or bow ties in different fabrics, so look out for future posts with Neville! If you're interested in one of these doggy accessories they're really easy to make, or give me a message if you would like one made :)

As you can see he loves posing for the camera! 

Metallic Co-ord

Texture                  Before

After 

I'm loving the Co-ords in Topshop at the moment so I decided to create my own using an old dress I no longer wear. The original textured dress was from River Island and I've hardly worn it, so it definitely needed a new lease of life! 

Firstly I cut it where I wanted the crop to finish and the skirt to sit, plus seam allowances. I then cut the sleeves off and finished the arm hole with a lock stitch. The crop top also needed taking in at the side seams. 

Finally I stitched elastic into the waist, making sure the material covered the band. 

I'm pleased with my new co-ord as it can be worn in a numerous of ways, dressed down, dressed up and even worn as separates with other garments. 

I hope my D.I.Y's are inspiring you to revamp your own wardrobes at low costs! 

The Tube Skirt

 

I've recently been trying to brighten up my wardrobe for my holiday and summer (if we get any sun!).

I'm really into the cobalt blue and lime colours for this season. I've seen the blue double layer tube skirt in Topshop for a while now and I think it's over priced for what it is, especially when I can make it myself  for under £5!

The viscose jersey fabric was purchased from Shepard's Bush in London for my colour project at uni, luckily I  had some spare. I cut round the skirt block, eliminating all darts. I then sewed the two side seams on a sewing machine, finishing them with a zig-zag stitch (unfortunately I don't have an over locker). Next I sewed the elastic, pulling it as I stitched then making sure it was folded between the fabric. Finally I finished the hem with a zig-zag stitch and lock stitch. 

I'm really pleased with this bargain and think I will be getting a lot of wear out of it! 

Necklace - Topshop 

Heart Shirt - Topshop

Trousers - Topshop

Dress - Topshop

Pattern Cami - Zara

Lime Cami - Topshop

Skirt - My own design

  

Sun Dress Fix

                    I've had this dress for a while now and every summer I find myself getting a lot of use out of it. I love the colour and the fit, it's easy to wear on holiday dressed up or just put over your bikini as a cover up. 

I'm going to Egypt this summer and was really disappointed when I saw the elastic was coming un-threaded at the waist.

To fix this I brought some shirring elastic, this has to be wound to the bobbin tightly. Then I threaded a pink thread to my sewing machine. 

When sewing, make sure the dress is the right way into the machine so the shirring elastic is on the inside of the dress. 

Dress - Topshop

Shirring elastic - Craft Department

The Colour Project

The colour project was my second project since starting university. In groups we have to predict and create a future trend and present this to other groups and tutors. We then had the choice to take this trend forward into our own projects. 

I chose the concept of prosthetics and cosmetics having more of an advantage to the natural human form. I chose Whistles for my target market and customer level. 

I also created my own swing ticket for my garments. 

I feel I have learnt a lot from uni in my first year and look forward to starting my second year and pushing my skills even more. 

Designed, Manufactured and Styled by Lydia Harding 

Once again thank you Abie Taylor for modelling! 

Look out for my next posts where I will be uploading some garment work outside of university! 

The White Project

Jacket Toile

Dress Toile

   

Final Outfit

Illustration

The White Project was my first uni project. Taking a concept of mechanics this is my final design, consisting of a princess line dress with cave panels also including a centre back zip. I was really pleased with my cropped jacket, designed with a shaped raglan sleeve, high 'grown on' collar, curved shaped from hem and back gathering with concealed zip. My fabrics were cotton poplin and cotton drill. I completed stand work, collage and reflection on to a mannequin to help with design development. 

With everyone being allocated a white colour palette this really helped create interesting details and silhouettes because there was no colour or print to consider.

Designed, Manufactured, Illustrated and Styled by Lydia Harding

Special thank you to my wonderful model Abie Taylor x

Sew Scrumptious

I've made quite a few cushions in the past and sold them at car boots and craft fairs, however I decided to make some for myself for my new uni room! 

I brought the cushions (without a cover) from Dunelm. 

The union jack rectangle cushion has a mix of spots and Scotty dog patternd fabric, then used the appliqué   method to add the strips of burgundy and lace. 

The round one had a pink lace trim around the edge and I also used the applique method again to add the 'LOVE' onto the Scotty dog fabric. 

Dip Dye Shorts

These were originally Miss Selfridge jeans, however they had gone baggy at the knee, I still liked the fit around apart from this so decided to cut them into shorts. I then put bleach in the sink and rested them so the bottoms were in the bleach. I gradually moved them further out of the sink to create the dip dye affect. Finally I used an old tooth brush dipped in bleach to blend the lines on the shorts. 

I will be showing more of my own clothes that I have up cycled in later posts! 

The Great Barrier Reef

            

The Great Barrier Reef, my final major project including a three outfit collection. Designed for Spring/Summer with a colour palette of vibrant orange, yellow, blue, red and pink. My fabrics consisted of a navy cotton drill, printed polyester and cottons. 

Outfit one

 - Crop top with buttoned wrap over back

-Cowl drape skirt with navy waistband and back zip + button

-Cropped jacket in navy drill, flared panel front, showing the pattern lining

Outfit two

-Maxi layered and flared dress with scooped back and and straight cut neckline. Inclues side zip.

Outfit three

-Cute play suit with flared sleeve and open hole back, fastened with ocean buttons at the back. 

All have clusters of fabric manipulation in bright cottons creating textures inspired by corals of The Great Barrier Reef. 

-Designed, Manufactured and Styled by Lydia Harding

-Necklace - Topshop

Necklace -Handmade by Lydia Harding

Bracelets - H&M

Shoes - EBay