As I previously mentioned I am currently all about DIY. That's what I am spending pretty much most of my free time doing. I think this will be the last one, for this week anyway, so I am sorry for giving you two in the one day.
Again it's a leggings projects. Now I know how to create them I can see so many possibilities using more elaborate fabrics.
Rodarte's A/W08 collection was sublime, although did anyone else think that, as stunningly beautiful as she is, Natalie Portman managed to make it look less edgy and more demure? Maybe it was just me. Anyway, the knitted tights were pretty amazing and I have been obsessing over them since I clapped eyes on them. The red, black and white palette was superbly done too and of course completely reminded me of my old punk days. Anyway, back in Mandors on Sunday I was intending on buying this lovely lace fabric but at £23 a metre it just wasn't going to happen, especially as I was going to make a dress and I need 2 metres. So with my £20, again donated to me by my Prince, I hunted around for some other cool material. Then I saw it. It was a crochet material which was dyed black and red, with the colours running into each other in places creating a dark purple. It also had flecks of gold painted onto it and was just really weird and beautiful. Naturally I thought it's make great leggings, since it reminded me of Rodarte.
It was the most difficult fabric I have EVER worked with. It was hellish to sew. I had to make them quite loose since there is minimal stretch but none the less they are quite full on. I quickly tried them on with lots of black!
Black top; DIY organza skirts (one worn as top); Shorts; Marios Schwab shoes
Zara dress; Gloved Up gloves
DIY dress; Topshop belt; Necklace, a gift
I will attempt to use the rest of the material in some way but it's pretty tricky! I may make some kind of distressed top to match but I'll need to build up the patience to do it!
Queen Michelle
it must've ben TORTURE working with that fabric. It came out great.
I make rodarte legging knockoffs by knitting them. It goes really, really fast because the needs are a huge gauge and you don't have to be too precise-- and also, there's no other way to make a convincingly messy, dropstitch effect.
Let me know if you want one!
why_yessuh@yahoo.com
Posted by: Pamela | Monday, 13 October 2008 at 14:04
those tights are amazing and i love how you layered those diy organza skirts.
i always look forward to your diy's and seeing more of your amazing personal style. you are truly an inspiration!
ps. sorry for the excessive fangirl love. i just cant help myself around you ;)
Posted by: tanya | Monday, 13 October 2008 at 14:06
I absolutely adore those leggings, and I don't even like leggings. You did an amazing job.
Posted by: Chic and Charming | Monday, 13 October 2008 at 14:21
oh my god... for a second there, i thought you crocheted these yourself... but still... sewing them? you're amazing... these are absolutely incredible.
Posted by: lady coveted | Monday, 13 October 2008 at 14:33
love the last pic!!!!
Posted by: Zad | Monday, 13 October 2008 at 14:49
They turned out amazing! That fabric must have been such an incredible pain to sew with though, but the end result was worth it I'd say!
Posted by: AngieMontreal | Monday, 13 October 2008 at 14:57
A trick in case you want to continue sewing with this or other loose holey fabrics is to use some tissue paper on the seams -- basically layer the paper under where you're sewing (I forget if you need it on the top as well) so that the machine won't be able to suck the fabric down into the hole... and then afterwards you just tear it away!
Posted by: woodley park-zoo | Monday, 13 October 2008 at 14:59
Ah, and I always forget after composing a tip -- your leggings look so great! I wish I still lived near a really good fabric store (Britex in San Francisco if you ever go there!) where I could grab couture-quality gems!
Posted by: woodley park-zoo | Monday, 13 October 2008 at 15:01
Your diy projects have been a) blowing me away and b) putting me to shame (no sewing machine or time...) but this one takes the biscuit...it's the fabric really as I haven't seen anything like it.... especially with that colour combo....this Mandors place sounds amazing!
Posted by: susie_bubble | Monday, 13 October 2008 at 15:32
Love these, love love love them. My fav QM diy ever!
Posted by: Lola | Monday, 13 October 2008 at 15:34
ahh I LOVE IT! you are absolutely the greatest at DIY projects. kudos, once more!
Posted by: Jey | Monday, 13 October 2008 at 15:45
I really like these too! I can imagine the fabric must have been hellish, but I love the result - even more than most of the other leggings and tights featured recently.
My favourite of all your DIY projects was the Miu Miu skirt.
Posted by: bluehammer | Monday, 13 October 2008 at 16:13
totally awesome! i really like the colors- and i appreciate the DIY posts because those are the best inspiration- it gets me thinking about what things i can make myself.
thanks for this post!
Posted by: amanda | Monday, 13 October 2008 at 16:38
OMG THAT IS BRILLIANT!!!! GORGEOUS TIGHTS!!!
Posted by: Bex | Monday, 13 October 2008 at 17:00
AMAZING! I LOVE THAT FABRIC!! YOU MUST SEE MY DIY VERSION OF THOSE RODARTE STOCKINGS ON MY BLOG! PLEASE CHECK IT OUT!
http://ladivasosa.blogspot.com/
Posted by: RAQUEL | Monday, 13 October 2008 at 17:20
Wow, another fantastic DIY pair. If you had the time and inclination, I bet you could sell these babies ...
Posted by: Sal | Monday, 13 October 2008 at 17:39
Wow, I love it....you look so beautiful. Keep up the great work sis!
Posted by: Princess Shirley | Monday, 13 October 2008 at 18:35
your DIY projects are so inspiring, and this fabric is so amazing, ive never seen anything like it, also my sewing skills are still up and coming so please do an how to sew leggings post a bit like your miu miu skirt tutorial you did some time ago... pretty please :)
Posted by: Chic Looks | Monday, 13 October 2008 at 20:52
Hey Sis!!!
Chic Looks - all I did was literally take an old pair of leggings, cut open all the seams to get the pattern and used that. I just altered it to get the length I wanted and that was pretty much it. Easy!
Posted by: Queen Michelle | Monday, 13 October 2008 at 21:02
The first outfit with the organza skirts is amazing!The transparency and shape are blowing my mind!
Posted by: adrienne | Monday, 13 October 2008 at 21:33
This is amazing! I wish I had the skill to make that.
Posted by: Shen-Shen | Monday, 13 October 2008 at 21:36
I like you version much more than Rodarte's!
Posted by: KD | Monday, 13 October 2008 at 21:36
The DIY dress is gorgeous! I wish I could sew that well...
I am excited about your Ten Tips, can't wait to read them :)
x
Posted by: Mademoiselle Robot | Monday, 13 October 2008 at 22:31
Time well spent I say. Awesome...
Posted by: Rowena | Monday, 13 October 2008 at 23:09
i am in love with those tights! GORG!
Posted by: brandi | Monday, 13 October 2008 at 23:23