Wouldn't it be nice to wear your own designs where the world can see them? Of course it would but you don't know the first thing about screen printing. Gah! Or not so gah. Those useful folks of the Guardian's crafty crew have a neat little how to to help you out.
Lee May Foster, who is self taught, has been screen printing her own fabulous designs for the past five years and has it down to a fine art. She learned by using the basics and handmaking it all herself.
Lee has produced a step-by-step tutorial on how to screen print which leads you through materials, costs, a how to, and tips on how to improve.
One look at her lovely prints on Bonbi Forest will convince you she certainly knows what she's on about.
You can also follow of printy progress on her blog.
For some people it's all about the accessories. A bit of colour, a change in texture, an unexpected set of buttons and you've got a whole new outfit. Fitting in with the leanings towards industrial and steampunk, that seems to be rearing its cog-covered head lately, you can make your own latex gauntlets.
Making Latex Clothing, by Latex Kitty, offers a world of squeaky and shiny handmades with helpful hints on how to get your latex on without getting in a lather.
The free Latex Gauntlet pattern is simple to follow and requires only a bit of latex and some rubber cement. There's a PDF to download for the template. Easy peasy.
There are also hints on how to get started if you're a latex virgin.
Who knits short shorts? You knit short shorts. With the help of Knitty you can flash your thighs in a pair of cute cable shorts.
The shorts are for "guys and girls who love to show off their gams in short shorts". They're simple. They're comfy. They're short.
I was alerted to this pattern by some snickers at knickers on Twitter and I can see the potential.
You'll have to ignore the vaguely grumpy and uncomfortable expressions of the Knitty models and possibly the fact that they're knit in such a bulky yarn. Under sulky faces and pasty legs is a free pattern for shorts that could be fairly funky. Especially in a lighter weight yarn or possibly something with less bagginess to it.
The Spring/Summer 2010 Knitty is worth a pootle through while you're there. I'm not a sock knitter but the Twisted Socks are foot-temptingly fabulous.
So get your gams out in the spring sunshine in a pair of stitched summer shorts.
Embroidery allows you to add a bit of whatever you fancy to something run of the mill and is an essential weapon in any crafty warriors arsenal. Inspiration for what to embroider is another thing entirely but happily there's help at hand. If you haven't already stumbled across it then Sublime Stitching may very well be your stitching saviour.
Sublime Stitching is "an independently owned and operated honest-to-goodness home-grown business" founded in Austin, Texas by Jenny Hart. Her aim was to drag embroidery into the crafty present and she's been rather successful at doing just that.
From pirate booty and sassy skull 'n' crossbones to the more bizarre meaty treats there's enough choice there to tempt anyone to pick up their needles and get their stitch on.
There are also featured sets from well-known artists. The lastest being a set designed by Tara McPherson, famed for illustrations gracing the posters of music makers such as Death Cab For Cutie and Beck.
The site also includes tutorials if you're a stitching novice. So there really isn't any reason not to train yourself in stitching skills.
I love the contrast between hard and soft on these simple ballet pumps that have been adorned with silver studs. I spotted them over at US site Bona Drag and haven't seen anything quite like them in the UK, but this is such an easy idea to DIY that making your own pair would be no hardship if you like the idea.
If you're stuck for materials, you can buy the type of metallic studs used here online for £1.55 per bag of 10 at That's Charming
$48 at Bona Drag [Via Shoewawa]
Fancy turning a plain old pair of sneakers into stylish, sparkling jazz shoes? This project couldn't be more fun ore more straightforward once you've got the right ingredients knocking around. Here's what you'll need:
One pair white sneakers
Black Sharpie pen
Glitter & gem glue
Small paint brush
Silver glitter
2 yards leather cord
Mod Podge® or other glitter sealant
Read on for full instructions.
I've certainly never seen anything quite like these creepy, Alfred Hitchcock-inspired moccasins before. Moccasins are supposed to be the most innocuous of shoes, but a second glance at this handmade pair from Darlingtonia will give you cause to think again.
What I like most about these shoes is the way they make you double take: the black birds look just like abstract splodges until you give them a closer inspection. Despite this, they're still a perfect moccasin shape and style. Genius.
$129 at Etsy
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