Tuesday 5 August 2014

DIY: Dip Dye Festival Inspired Top

I wrote out this entire post and it then went and deleted itself so here's take two...

I was in Topshop last Friday in Croydon and found this beautiful top that was perfect for Reading Festival in a couple weeks time. However upon looking at the price tag I experienced that heart sinking feeling when you realise it's well out of your price range and in typical Topshop style, overpriced. 

Here's the top...

£28 no thankyou gurl
You can't really tell in the pictures but the tassels go from teal to black. When in the fitting room I then had one of those light bulb moments to make it myself for a much cheaper price, plus I could tailor the style to be exactly how I want it. So I ended up going for a long sleeve crop top so the tassels would come over my belly rather than the awkward length of the original. 
£10 Holla!
Other styles more similar to the original are also available at Topshop. Plus if you aren't as lazy as me you could shop around more and probably find suitable tops for even cheaper.

What you will need:

  • A black top in your chosen style
  • Two packets of dye, three if you want teal (mix Bahama Blue and Dark Green)
    • I used Dylon hand dyes in Bahama Blue, Dark Green and Velvet Black £3-4 each (I got mine on sale for £2.85)
  • Newspaper
  • Salt
  • Containers (tall to dip the tassels in)
  • 5 inch tassels (£2.99 per metre)
  • Plastic bag
  • Sewing kit 
  • Gloves

Step One: Prepare your Fabric


First measure the correct  length of tassel to fit round your waist or the bottom of your top and use a pin to mark where to cut. 
Then once you have the correct length fold it up into a smaller piece thats easier to dip into your container. 
Once your tassels are ready, wash them in cold water and leave damp. 

Step Two: Prepare your Dye


Now is where the gloves come in handy. 
*These measurements are what worked for me, they are in no way fool proof*
Taking a quarter of Bahama Blue and a quarter of Dark Green mix them together to make the equivalent of half a pack of dye and add to 125 ml of warm water. 


Now add your mix to 1.5 litres of warm water along with 1 tbsp of salt and stir well. 
Repeat this process with the black, only using a quarter of the packet so it's more dilute then the teal and won't over power it. 

Step Three: DIP DYE


Sumerge the tassels into the teal dye using a bobbing motion, only cover 3 quarters of your fabric so the top part is left white. The very top of the dyed part should only be in the dye for long enough to gain colour but do not let in soak any more or you won't get a gradient effect. The bottom should never leave the dye in order for it to become really dark. Do this for 15 minuets with teal and then 10 minuets with black. Don't ever submerge the black beyond half way up and alike the teal, focus on the bottom. 

Hang the tassels on a washing line and cover with a plastic bag, leave for 45 mins. Then rinse in cold water until it runs clear. Now put it in a warm wash and allow it to dry naturally. 

Step Four: Sewing


Now its time for you to sew your tassel onto the top using white thread, this is done best with a sewing machine. Voila you have your very own hand made top. 



Hope you guys liked this style of post and that it'll inspire you to become more creative and save money on your clothes.
Hannah xxx

Monday 4 August 2014

Updates

Long time no see my daydreamers.

I'm so sorry that I gave up on you guys like that but I'm back and better than ever. So whats new, I hear you ask?
Lets have an overview of my goings on since my last post shall we?
Well I finished my GCSEs four months after my last post (the reason for the dry season) and this year I just did my AS-levels...awaiting the results *cry*
My style and the way I want to use this blog has changed at lot since when I first set this up so you may see a few changes around here and I'd love it if you'd stay and help me make them. That is...if your not too angry? (*cough* I'm so sorry *cough*)

First things first I have started doing more creative things and DIYs so you may see more of those then just beauty related blogposts.
Second things...second?...I feel the need for a new blog name? I made this three years ago now and I'm no longer really feeling the name...an ideas? I need help coming up with one.

I have my first (in a long time) blogpost all planned out for you guys and it's a money saving/creative kinda vibe so keep you eyes pealed for that because I wanna get that out by the end of the week.
Right Hannah stop blabbing and get to work then...

Happy Monday Daydreamers
Hannah xxx