DIY: Vintage Chanel Rhinestone T-shirt

I don't know if you have noticed but the high street is going rhinestone crazy at the moment! I can't get enough of it and thought I would try to be creative and customise some clothes I already have. I recently got this vintage chanel tshirt for an absolute bargain on EBAY and I wanted to snazz it up a bit, bring it to the 21st century... I could have added some studs but rhinestones and gemstones are so big right now, I thought I would give it a try. I ordered a mixed bag of rhinestones from a shop on ebay. 

 What do you need?
- 1 x needle and thread (similar colour to your clothing is best)
-1 x pair of scissors to cut the thread
-1 x pack of rhinestones/gems
-Something to customise, could be a tshirt/shirt or even a hat!

1). First of all you need to decide what kind of pattern you want to make with the rhinestones. I have seen a lot of tshirts and vests with rhinestones on collar tips and also shoulders but with my chanel tshirt I wanted to try something a bit different. I wanted to put the rhinestones around the round neck to make it look similar to a necklace.

2). First of all I poured out all of my rhinestones and picked my favourites. I then made a pattern on my t-shirt that I was happy with and took a picture. A picture will help when you come to sewing on the gems so you can remember which order they go in. I found that the pattern changed slightly during the process but I wanted the rhinestones to be symmetrical. If you want to put them in a random order I am sure they would still look great-it's all down to personal taste.

3). Simply begin to sew on the rhinestones with your needle and thread. It can get quite frustrating at time as there are quite a lot of rhinestones but persevere and you will be happy with the result. I would recommend double or triple sewing the rhinestones to strengthen the bond. 

4). Don't forget to have a break. I had no choice in the matter as my kitten fell asleep on my t-shirt half way through-she must be a lover of fashion as well.

5). Enjoy your finished product! Wear it and show off your hard work... It will all pay off when someone asks 'I love the rhinestones-Where did you get your top from?' and you can say 'I sewed them on myself'. Simple but effective!!

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My life through Instagram...

Ok so it has been a couple of weeks since I have last blogged! I have been so busy (it's no excuse I know) but I thought I would fill you in on what I've been up to that has resulted in my lack of posting. 

First things first I FINALLY HAVE AN IPHONE!!! So here is my first Instagram post! Enjoy :)

1. So firstly I have been busy creating my venture/ jewellery business @ctchtwentytwo . I came up with the idea after being totally bored of not knowing what I want to do since graduation. The situation I am in looking for a job in London is a 'catchtwentytwo' in itself. When applying for jobs in the fashion industry I have got as far down on the job description until I see 'minimum of ones years experience needed in the field'.  I thought I would turn the negative job searching into a positive and keep my mind active!

2. A picture of my beautiful dog Mr Handy who is 1 today!!! I don't know what I would do without him. 

3. Gemini & Leo mugs. It has been a busy and exciting couple of weeks and as a last minute decision am moving in with my boyfriend in Southampton. I feel as though I have only just unpacked from being at Uni but life is exciting and I am looking forward to what the future holds. These are a couple of mugs that we have bought for the flat!! EEEK

4. Some spike earrings by @ctchtwentytwo! On sale now from only £2.99: https://www.etsy.com/listing/109125737/bronze-spikestud-earring

5. PAUSE magazine is an online blog that I have been writing for over the past couple of months! I was lucky enough to get the cover interview that featured lyrical genius, Mikill Pane. It is a brilliant magazine and the editor @Johnson_Gold is a very talented man with a brilliant future ahead of him. Order your copy now online at: www.pausemag.co.uk

6. Another bracelet by @ctchtwentytwo. For more info contact me on twitter:@katiehandybeith or katiehandybeith@gmail.com

7. It's that time of the year again-London Fashion Week. I spent the day there on Saturday as a writer for @Pause_Mag and even caught up with an old uni friend at the Jasper Garvida show at Bloomsbury hotel. All and all it was a brilliant day!! Watch pause mag for Street Style and my London Fashion Week post very soon!!

8. You can't go to London Fashion Week and not get an instagram of some street style. Pause caught up with electro band 'Plastic'. Their style certainly caused a stir at London Fashion Week and their eclectic use of customising and bright colours worked brilliantly. They might not be everyones cup of tea but I love them!! Check them out on twitter: @PlasticUKMusic

9. Ok so there's some more @ctchtwentytwo bracelets. I hope you like! 

@katiehandybeith
katiehandybeith@gmail.com

DIY/ ACID WASH/ FESTIVAL OUTFITS

Are you going on holiday or to any festivals this summer? Want to brighten up your wardrobe but your on a budget? Check out my latest DIY fixes and grab yourself some bargains!

1. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330760798313?ssPageName=STRK%3AMESELX%3AIT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_500wt_1067

1. Ombre/Dip Dye/ Tie Dye vest, size medium. Would look great with leggings and creepers.  Bidding from 99p.

2. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330760845432#ht_500wt_1067

3. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330760846886#ht_500wt_1067

 Crop tops are so in this summer an would love great teamed with a high waisted pair of levi's on holiday or at a festival. BUY IT NOW for £10. One of a kind, grab them before they are gone. 

4. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330760849963?ssPageName=STRK%3AMESELX%3AIT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_500wt_1067

I tried acid wash for the first time recently and I really like the effect on this tshirt. Size XS (mens) would ideally fit a female size 8 for an oversized look and fit everything up until size 12-14. BUY IT NOW £10. 

TIE DYE/ OMBRE/ DIP DYE. Step by Step!

Tie dye is so on trend right now so I though I would customise some plain white t-shirts & share with you the step-by-step :)


You need: 
-Clothes to customise. 100% cotton t-shirts, vests, jumpers etc. 
-Choose some dye. You can use as many colours as you like. 
-Salt (very important)
-elastic bands
-Rubber gloves
-patience!

To start with choose what colours you like the best. If you are choosing more than one colour make sure they compliment each other. I chose a maroon shade by Dylon called: Burlesque Red and Powder Pink. Don't forget your salt! You will need approx 1000g. 

Now you need to collect everything that you want to tie-dye. You may decide you like one style of tie-dye and use the same techniques with all of your clothes. It was my first time tie-dyeing so I wanted to try out a few different techniques. To create the circle effect, use your elastic bands and tie them in knots on your fabric. You can also tie knots with your t-shirt to create a nice effect. 

Different tie-dye effects.

Tie knots with your vest for a nice swirl effect.

Once you have all of you tshirts in elastic bands/ knotted up and ready to go soak them in warm water. I filled my bath a little bit and found it was the easiest place to put them.

Tshirts and vest soaking in warm water.

Next step is to get your dyes ready:

1. Using your rubber gloves, dissolved your dye in 500ml of warm water.

2. Fill large bowl/container or stainless steel sink with 6 liters of warm water. 

3. Stir in 250g of salt. 

4. Add your dye and stir well.

5.Add your fabric. 

For Ombre/dip dye fabrics then only add half of the fabric to the dye or as much as you would like.

6. Rinse out your fabrics in cold water. Wash in warm water and dry away from direct heat or sunlight!

Fabrics submerged in the pink dye. You can see some are only half in for the ombre/dip dye effect.

Ombre effect drying.

Elastic band swirl effect. Parts were dipped in burlesque red.

More ombre effect.

Final result!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330747826131?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_500wt_1067 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330747827496?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_500wt_1067

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330747829553?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_500wt_1067

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330747830581?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649#ht_500wt_1067

Buy my tie-dye items here: http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/katiehandyb

Tieee dye...

I have spent my afternoon tie-dying and creating an 'ombre' effect on some plain white cotton t-shirts & vests. Here is a quick glimpse of what I've been up to. Will post final results and a step-by-step instructions for you at home to try yourself. 

Happy Weekend!

K

DIY Studded collar...

So I have finished uni now and am back to customizing items of my wardrobe. Studs are such an effective way to update your wardrobe and are relatively easy to do. I found a boring white shirt from my wardrobe and within minutes it was transformed. Let me show you how!

Ingredients:
-1 boring item of clothing with collar.
-pack of studs
-scissors
-a night out planned to show your new shirt off!

Step 1. Make sure you have everything ready to customize your shirt!

Step 2. Think of the design you want for your studs. I like to start from the bottom and make a triangle shape.

 Step 3. Pierce through your first stud. Sometimes the outside of the shirt can be tough so you can use your scissors to pierce through the fabric. Then use your scissors to press down on the studs.

 

Half way through!

Step 4. Continue until you finish your design on both sides of the shirt. 

Step 5. Go out and show off your new customized item!