Calling all future fashion designers! Why not get creative with these kid-friendly and stylish crafts and update your wardrobe at the same time. By Emma Harrowing
As fashion is on the menu with London Fashion Week showcasing spring and summer collections and preparations already under way for Norwich Fashion Week in March, some children may feel inspired to get creative and design or make their own fashion pieces.
Here are five items you can make with your kids that will update your wardrobe for autumn or give your outfit an individual twist. You never know, your kids could be the next Vivienne Westwood or Jean Paul Gaultier.
Decorated tote bags
What you need:
For the Love bag:
Calico bag
A5 Acetate sheets 10-pk
Dylon black fabric paint
Proarte paint brush (no barcode) Craft knife
For the cat bag:
Calico bag
Fabrics, fat quarter pack
Embroidery thread, (310) black
Red satin ribbon
Red velvet ribbon
Red bead
Spray adhesive
For the Love bag:
Cut four A5 stencil shapes from the acetate using the picture as a guide.
Press the tote bag and line it with a few sheets of paper or some cardboard.
Position the stencils and secure with a few pieces of sticky tape (the centre of the O can be held in place with your finger, or use double sided tape).
Lightly stencil the black dye, building up the colour as you go. Keep your brush quite 'dry' for this
Allow to dry before peeling off the stencils.
For the cat bag:
Press the tote bag.
Cut the A5 stencil shapes from the acetate using the picture as a guide.
Spray adhesive lightly on the reverse and position the shapes on the bag.
Take a running stitch around the edge of each shape to hold it in position.
Create the cat's collar using red velvet ribbon and a bead, sewn in place.
Decorate the hearts with bows made from red satin ribbon.
Black and White Necklace
What you need:
One black 55mm spotted felt flower
Six black Disco balls
Six grey/white Disco balls
Four round spotty resin beads
Four metallic painted wooden beads
Six black round wood beads.
Eight grey/white round wood beads
2mm tigertail wire
Two crimp beads
Clasp jump rings
Cut a single strand of tigertail wire (approx 60cm).
Thread a 2mm crimp bead 2cm from the end of the tigertail. Hold the crimp bead in this position and bend the 2cm of tigertail back on itself so that it creates a loop at the end of the wire. Tuck the short strand back inside the crimp bead, and use chain nose pliers to flatten (crimp) the crimp bead. Trim off excess tigertail, flush to the crimp bead.
Thread the beads onto the tigertail strand as in the picture, positioning the fabric flower in the centre of the design before continuing to thread the remaining beads.
Once the beads are strung, thread another crimp bead onto the end of the wire. Once again, loop the end of the tigertail wire back on itself and thread through the crimp bead.
Once looped round, pull on the long strand of tigertail until all of the components have been dragged towards the beads. Once in the correct position, crimp the crimp bead securely. Trim off excess tigertail flush to crimp bead.
Attach a clasp onto the end of the necklace using two jump rings and a clasp of your choice.
Button & Ribbon Embellishment
What you need:
A plain scoop neck dress
Buttons
Round sequins
Needle
Thread
39mm brown chiffon ribbon
For the dress:
Decorate the plain neckline of a dress with a row of pretty buttons and sequins, sewn at regular intervals.
For the belt:
Simply sew buttons and sequins onto a length of brown chiffon ribbon to make a matching belt for the dress.
Feather & Shoe Embellishment
What you need:
Plain shoes
Peacock feathers
Mini burgundy butterfly
5mm faceted stones
Black press studs
Glue gun
Glue sticks
Optional: To interchange decorations use press studs, glued or sewn in place, to secure the decorations in place.
Dress up a plain pair of shoes with peacock feathers, glitter butterflies and clear faceted stones, glued in place using a glue gun.
All materials for the projects can be found in Hobby Craft on Riverside or the arts and crafts department in Jarrold or John Lewis.
Photos courtesy of Hobby Craft
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