DIY "Half Circle Skirt" Tutorial (with zipper) & 3 Ways To Hem A Skirt!

I uploaded this tutorial to Youtube just 3 days ago, and already SO many people have tried it out & gotten in contact to tell me how well it worked out! So if you're wondering whether you should try this one out, it's been pretty well vetted already :) p.s. I'm just about to upload another video in a couple of hours ;) Bloglovin' | Youtube | Facebook | Twitter |  Instagram | Chictopia | Lookbook | Tumblr

DIY Asymmetrical Hem Skirt/Skorts | Make Thrift Buy #15

Alright, today's DIY was a bit of a tricky one. I post this video in the hopes that you can avoid the same mistakes that I made! But we got there in the end - and I freaking love how these shorts fit me (they make my butt look so damn good).  Enjoy :) Bloglovin' | Youtube | Facebook | Twitter |  Instagram | Chictopia | Lookbook | Tumblr

Cherries, Gingham and a DIY T-Shirt (and a new video! - Get Sewing With Me #3)

Gingham is probably my favourite pattern for clothing right now. Anything gingham = good. Does anyone else do this thing where you get really obsessed with a particular print or pattern, and before you know it your entire wardrobe is 99% things with that pattern?? It reminds me of when everything had to be bird-print a couple of years back. I'm still cleaning the birds out of my closet. Gingham is my favourite right now because it immediately alludes (aesthetically at least) to a sunny day in the 1950s spent picnicking on fresh fruit in a luscious green meadow - and so it gives any outfit that I wear gingham in this happy, kitschy, retro vibe. So when I found this second-hand gingham-patterned shirt, I couldn't go past it! But unfortunately, while it had the right pattern on it, it was a little bit boring and shapeless. So, I saved it with the power of upcycling, and turned into both a cropped-tee and a matching headband! Here's a couple more pictures of me being super chuffed with myself in my new upcycled shirt (without the matching headband): Side note: This is another one of my fabulous vintage skirts that fits me much better since I've gained weight! #yayweightgain I'm finding so many of these in the deep, dark depths of my wardrobe, it's very exciting stuff :D Outfit details: Shirt is DIY (patch is from Hong Kong)  Skirt is thrifted vintage Shoes are Naot (Kedma) Socks are Tutuanna (Japan) Science of the Day This is a bit self-promotey, but it's totally still science SO IT COUNTS. My partner and I just released episode #2 of our new podcast (you can download/subscribe on iTunes here)! In this episode, we look at the myth that "Diet coke (and artificial sugar) gives you cancer".  Does diet coke give you cancer? We would love some suggestions of possible-science-myths to explore in future episodes, although we're already planning the next couple - number #3 will look at the podcast's namesake - the 10% of the brain myth, where it comes from and why it persists (as I don't think that many people actually believe in that one but it's interesting to know why its such a persistent myth!) and episode #4 is going to look at the notion that "redheads/blondes are going extinct". Give episode #2 a listen, and if you do, we would super appreciate your feedback! ONE MORE THING BEFORE I GO. I wrote an article for Birdee where I slam some silly op-shopping misconceptions, and I also provide some thrifting tips! Have a read here if you haven't already! That's it from me - I hope that you're all having a really lovely week, Bloglovin' | Youtube | Facebook | Twitter |  Instagram | Chictopia | Lookbook | Tumblr

DIY Lace Underwear

Yup, you read that right! YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN LACE UNDERWEAR. AND IT'S REALLY EASY, TOO. Making cute lace undies is my latest obsession. If I disappear for a while, it's probably because I'm off making at least 500 million pairs of these (that's seriously how easy they are to make!) Both beginners and people without sewing machines can give this one a go, too. Materials: - Elasticated lace trim (you only need enough that you can wrap it once around your hips) - A small piece of 100% cotton fabric, does not need to be stretchy (get it in a matching colour to your lace) - Needle & thread OR a sewing machine & thread - Scissors (fabric scissors are best) Have a watch of my tutorial: And don't forget to post pics using the hashtag #diyannika if you try this or any of my other tutorials. Love! Bloglovin' | Youtube | Facebook | Twitter |  Instagram | Chictopia | Lookbook | Tumblr

How To Make Your Own Underwear | Get Sewing With Me #2

YOU GUYS. I figured out how to make my own underwear, which brings me one step closer to having an entirely handmade wardrobe! (Next up is figuring out how to make bras!) In this latest video, I'm going to show you how to make your own! You can make these out of any lightweight stretchy cotton jersey fabrics, including old t-shirts.  If you try this or any of my other tutorials out, snap a picture and upload it to instagram using #diyannika. I hope that you're all having a beautiful day! Bloglovin' | Youtube | Facebook | Twitter |  Instagram | Chictopia | Lookbook | Tumblr

DIY T-Shirt | "Get Sewing With Me" Episode #1

I have started a new Youtube Series called Get Sewing With Me - it's like "Get Ready With Me" videos but better ;) (and don't worry, Make Thrift Buy isn't going anywhere!) In my spare time, I do a lot of sewing which I don't film either because I don't have a specific tutorial in mind, or it might require a bit of specialized equipment that most people don't own. But I thought that it would be cool to start filming some of these things that I make, because it could still help inspire your own sewing projects, show you some tips and tricks, or give you ideas for equipment you might want to get in the future! (And of course if you're a more intermediate-advanced sewer, then you could definitely use this as a tutorial!) This tutorial will (hopefully!) teach you how to DIY a t-shirt from scratch, using an old top as a pattern. It can be used to make any kind of t-shirt. Bloglovin' | Youtube | Facebook | Twitter |  Instagram | Chictopia | Lookbook | Tumblr

DIY Daisy Boobs Tee | Make Thrift Buy #14

My sewing machine and overlocker were the first thing that I hugged when I got back to my house after a month away (my boyfriend came to pick me up from the airport - so don't worry, he was actually the first thing to be hugged!). Getting back into making clothes after a month away felt SO good - I think that I was having DIY withdrawals overseas, and even all the amazing thrift shops in Hong Kong couldn't satiate me! So I started with a fairly simple tutorial to get back into the swing of making things - nonetheless, I hope that you all enjoy this video! Bloglovin' | Youtube | Facebook | Twitter |  Instagram | Chictopia | Lookbook | Tumblr

Making my novelty phone handbag functional - mini Make Thrift Buy (episode #11.5)

I turned my novelty phone handbag into a functional phone. And then I got Katie to call me on it. And we got pretty excited about it. I hope you're all having a super day! Bloglovin' | Youtube | Facebook | Twitter |  Instagram | Chictopia | Lookbook | Tumblr

A Handmade Outfit - DIY Icecream Dress & Camera Bag!

For my first outfit post of 2015, I wanted to show off some things that I've made in the last week. I've been sewing just for myself (without a video camera over my shoulder!) and it's been lovely - I needed to remind myself that I can sew just for the pleasure of sewing, without being under pressure to make something successfully while being watched by thousands of people on youtube (or failing that, to at least make my stuff-ups entertaining). So these are two things that I've made - the first is this pink icecream print dress with a full skirt and detachable halter strap. The fabric was a Christmas gift, from Spotlight if anyone is interested in buying it. For the dress, I actually used a store-bought pattern for the top part (Simplicity 1426).  Demi from Carbon Chic showed me how to use patterns when she came to visit me in Sydney the other week, demonstrating that patterns actually weren't this scary, super-complicated thing that I would never understand. And then I made a playsuit which wasn't a total failure, and, feeling like I could conquer any sewing challenge, I then used the top pattern to make this dress! For the bottom part, I used my own trusty circle skirt pattern. The second thing that I made is this camera bag: Okay, well... so I actually technically started making this at the end of 2013. I bought the pattern and template for this bag from Happy Sew Lucky, started it off and then... let it sit under my desk for an entire year, taunting me. Because I had to use a pattern that someone else had made, I think that I got intimidated. However, finally learning how to use patterns and making this dress then gave me the confidence to finish off this bag! My shoes are brand new. As the more observant of you may have noticed, I've pretty much been wearing one pair of shoes for a whole year - my Naot Kedma's, which are now looking a little worse for wear. Unfortunately I had some slight sizing issues with the only other two ethical shoe companies that I could find, and what with shoes being one of the most difficult things to DIY (without access to a whole lot of industrial equipment), I caved, and bought some shoes off Asos. I feel uneasy having no idea where and by whom the shoes were manufactured, and whether they were paid a fair wage to make them - but it's really, really hard to shop ethically 100% of the time. This past year for instance, I've had to cave on bras and underwear too when my old pairs were literally falling off me (although I have just learnt how to make the latter for myself!) So this definitely isn't me giving up on my pledge of trying to shop ethically, but it is a note about just how difficult that can sometimes be. Dress - handmade | bag - handmade (Happy Sew Lucky) | socks - markets | shoes - Asos | ring and necklace - thrifted Anyway, that's it from me today! I hope that you're all having a wonderful week! Much love, Bloglovin' | Youtube | Facebook | Twitter |  Instagram | Chictopia | Lookbook | Tumblr

DIY Cage Suspender Skirt | Make Thrift Buy #12

Hello! Last year I saw this caged suspender-style skirt EVERYWHERE on the internet. I always thought that it would be pretty easy to make, so I was super excited when not one but TWO people suggested that I try it out for a Make Thrift Buy episode! Have a watch! P.s. I was somehow super productive and made TWO videos today... so I'm doing a little shameless self-promotion: I'll upload the next episode when this video reaches 1000 thumbs up ;) I hope that you're all having a beautiful day, and please keep sending me amazing suggestions! Bloglovin' | Youtube | Facebook | Twitter |  Instagram | Chictopia | Lookbook | Tumblr

DIY Novelty Phone Handbag | Make Thrift Buy #11

Happy 2015! I hope that you all had a wonderful New Years and are looking forward to the year that is ahead! Recreating this Betsey Johnson handbag was my first DIY project of 2015. I don't know why I chose something so likely to fail for my very first project for the year... but, I did, and here we are. Have a watch, and let me know what you think! I really value your feedback because it helps me make my videos better :) Love, Bloglovin' | Youtube | Facebook | Twitter |  Instagram | Chictopia | Lookbook | Tumblr

DIY Cat Pockets Dress - Make Thrift Buy #10

So I'm up to episode number 10 of Make Thrift Buy (!) and I've somehow managed to do 2 cat-themed things already. Well, this is the internet after all.  I've been on the lookout for loose-fitting black dresses in op-shops for months now so that I could try to make this Dolls Kill pinafore/dress! Retailing for a somewhat ridiculous $119, I thought that I could probably recreate it for somewhat cheaper. I reaaaally like how it turned out. Anyway, have a watch & enjoy! And please keep those amazing suggestions for new challenges coming! p.s. for people without overlockers, I added a whole bunch of tips for sewing stretch fabrics to the video description. Love, Bloglovin' | Youtube | Facebook | Twitter |  Instagram | Chictopia | Lookbook | Tumblr

DIY Sweetheart Dress & Kumquat Trees

This is the best dress that I have ever made. I am so ludicrously proud of it! If you follow me on instagram then you might have seen the progression of this dress from bedsheet to cute vintage dress over the past week. The whole dress is made entirely (apart from the bias tape around the bust and zipper which were separately thrifted) from a bedsheet that I picked up from the thrift store the other day - even the buttons! I made up my own pattern for this dress (and yes I am working on a tutorial for it!), and I'm very happy with how it fits! I just used a basic circle skirt pattern for the bottom half, making it a little bit longer than I usually make my circle skirts to give it more of a "vintage" feel. The heart pockets were a brilliant suggestion by Carbon Chic - seriously, Demi has been like my sewing fairy godmother for the past year or so, because she is always inspiring me and giving me amazing ideas for my sewing! They were the perfect finishing touch that my dress required. I'm super excited because Demi is actually coming to visit me this weekend in Sydney. As well as going op-shopping together, we're aiming to join creative forces and have some kind of "sew-off" session - I'm really looking forward to what will result! For this entire past week I have been staying at a wonderful beach house down the south coast. As I wandered down into the backyard the other day to take photos of my dress, I discovered that the house we are staying in has a giant kumquat tree! Not only is it pretty to pose with, I also LOVE kumquats. I am obsessed with all things sour - seriously, I could eat sour lollies all day long (in fact, when I was a kid I ate sour things so much that my tongue would literally bleed & I'm also someone who can easily drink a cup vinegar), so naturally, kumquats are one of my all-time favourite fruits. (This is me stealing all the kumquats to take home with me, haha). Dress - handmade by me | shoes - Katie's (from Estonia) | necklace - c/o Ginger Pickle Little science fact for the day - did you know that kumquats can form hybrids with other citrus fruits? Many varieties of hybrids exist including lemonquats, limequats, and fukushu, which is a mandarin-kumquat hybrid. I wonder if Lemonquats would be even more sour than both lemon and kumquats individually are? If so, I want to eat all of them! What's the most sour food that you've ever eaten? (I'm on a bit of a quest to find the most sour foods in the world). I'm not really sure how I progressed so quickly from dressmaking to sour foods there, but in any case, I hope you're all having a really great day! All my love, Bloglovin' | Youtube | Facebook | Twitter |  Instagram | Chictopia | Lookbook | Tumblr

DIY Pleated Skirt

Hello! So about a week ago I was inspired by Carbon Chic to learn how to make my own pleated skirt. I had always been scared of sewing pleats - but now I know that it's actually much easier than you might think! In this video, I have tried to explain how to make a style of pleats called "knife pleats" - the same type that is popular in American Apparel skirts right now - as simply as possible. Enjoy, and let me know what you think of the video! I hope you're all having a great weekend, Bloglovin' | Youtube | Facebook | Twitter |  Instagram | Chictopia | Lookbook | Tumblr