Day 21 in my 30 Days of Outfits Challenge: November 21.
Sunday at home recuperating from the long shoot from the day prior. But I still wanted to take a couple DIY items for a spin – and put together an outfit in dreamy pastels.
When I first saw luv aj‘s pieces, I thought they were a wonderful solution to connecting large statement pieces onto ring bases without soldering. Many jewelry artisans cannot solder (myself included). Not being able to do this simple construction method (though goodness knows I’ve tried!) often limits the designs you can create, especially when it comes to rings (which usually need to be soldered together lest the stone pop right off the base).
But wire-wrapping is an ingenious solution to the problem of connecting the top to the ring, and completely eliminates the need for soldering! I tested it out on a couple similar designs. (The drawback is the rings are incredibly uncomfortable on the fingers. I wonder if luv aj’s versions are easier to wear?)
This skirt I made from a curtain valance. Yes, a curtain valance!! If you ever check out Goodwill (or any thrift store that sells home items), you can probably find some curtain valances that have chiffon overlays to them. I was struck by how beautifully they were draped – so I bought the pair ($3.99) and made a skirt out of one. When I draped it onto my body I found the waistband wouldn’t sit right, so I did have to make some darts at the waist…and sew a front-seam and hidden fly. It’s not perfect – it’s DIY, after all!
But if you have any valances at home lying around, or spot any at the secondhand store – they really look lovely as a draped, twisted skirt – a style of skirt that is so popular now (just look at the recent collections of Alexander Wang, Burberry, and Celine, for example).
The Pierced Flower Corsage is so easy to make: just a silk flower from the craft store, with rings threaded through it, or grommets added and rings and ball beads through those. I made two and thought the rose one went better with this outfit.
Hope everyone had a great Sunday!
xoxox
Carly
Love those flowers!
I have those shoes too! haha 🙂
ANy suggstions on how to make your skirt? I like the style but I'm not sure how to draw up a pattern for it
I'm with MalteseLizzieMcGee that skirt is absolutely beautiful, its soo pretty and romantic looking. Would you have any tips on how to make it without a curtain valence?
I also love your DIY rings (the rock one is gorgeous, the gold and the flecks from the stone go great together) and the flower brooch, I think the roses are darling.
Tina
I love your DIY drapey skirt!
carly you look wonderful every single day!!
Pleaseeeeee, post a how to or that AMAZING skirt..
pleeeeaseeee!!
kisses
alicia!
I love the ring and those embellished flowers are such a great idea. Love the skirt too. The shape of it is totally amazing.
xx
maya
@JanineThanks Janine! Everything is improved with the addition of spikes n studs…;-)
@BrandiThey were really popular last year and I totally fell into the trap and bought them…and have only worn them once since…which is too bad, since I remembered how cute they were:-)
@holasoyluluAwww, thanks Alicia-
I'll see what I can do to make a video tute for the skirt…a photo explanation is sadly inadequate:-(…
@MalteseLizzieMcGeeIf you're referring to how to DIY the skirt, you can't do it off a pattern. The skirt is made by draping – i.e., draping the fabric directly onto your body, pinning, and then sewing until you get the right result. The finished skirt would be different depending on what type of valance you're working with, where the swags lie, and your individual shape, which is why it would be impossible to draft a pattern using different source material. I'll be working on a video tutorial for making the skirt sometime soon…
If you mean drafting a pattern for the finished piece using fabric off the bolt, then you can just alter a high-waisted tulip skirt pattern and add a separate waistband, and then 2 layers of chiffon cut into 2 large ovals that are gathered and then draped over the main part of the skirt. You'd have to experiment with it, though, to get the exact draping and pleating.
Good luck!
@ChristinaThanks!
Well, they're technically luv aj's designs (for the rings), so I can't take any of the credit…
See above for tips on making that skirt from scratch! (hint: play around with the draped chiffon until you're happy with it BEFORE cutting it!! Draping is a really fun technique once you get comfortable with it:-)
i saw a luv aj on shopbop.com and feel in love with it. its called the heart of armour (or something like that). its a bracelet that has a ring attached to it. love this post though.
Scarlett from Gone With the Wind would be proud!
Carly, where do you buy your studs? I think I'm going through my mid-life crisis. I never worn studs until now (I'm 39). Now I want to stud everything.
maya
never mind about my question in the post above, Carly. I went to your studded shoe DIY and you say there where get your studs.
take care,
maya
@ByeByeSoccerMomOhyes, I'm sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I buy all my studs from StudsandSpikes.com. I find they're more affordable than both CrustPunks.com and M&J Trimming (even factoring shipping in), and they have a huge variety. They ship so fast and each order is correct and complete. I can't say enough good things about them! And I hear you re: newfound obsession with studs. I missed it in my teens and early twenties, and suddenly in my late 20s early 30s I'm obsessed!!;-)
Thanks for your comments!
xoxo
Carly
My jaw freakin dropped when i saw this picture. Those rings! Absolutely stunning. A surprisingly sustainable, but sadly temporary fix to bonding wires is actually duct tape. It probably feels much better than those pokey wires!
JUST realized what i said was an oxymoron… What i meant was, it's strong, but when you put sweat (gross, but true) into the equation, the duct tape gets sticky after a while.
How did you get the holes in the stones for the Luv Aj?
The pyrite beads? They came like that!!:-) I would never attempt to drill holes in natural stones – too much of a hassle and too prone to breaking.
Thank you 😀