Makers Month: Stitchsperation

So for our second chat for Makers Month we sat down with the lovely Charlie from Stitchsperation.   Sammy has long been a fan of her work and we just can't get enough of it.  So bright, colourful and all kinds of different to the normal cross-stitch kits.  So lets have a chat and see if we can find out a little bit more.

Makers Month: Make it: Shibori tie dyed curtains

 

Dyeing fabric is a bit of a new obsession for me and one which if I’m not careful may consume my entire house! I had dyed fabric in school and university but recently had another go with as it was the focus of one of my We Make Collective boxes. If you want to know all about this and what I did with my kit you can read about it here.

 

So when Sammy and H got in touch to see if I’d like to share a DIY on the blog I thought my dyed curtains would be perfect to share as it’s super easy!

What you’ll need: White cotton curtains - or any cotton fabric, Dye - I used indigo dye from the kit but normal fabric dye will work too, Rubber bands/string, Rubber gloves.

 

Step 1 - Dampen your fabric to encourage the fabric to absorb the dye more readily

Step 2 - Mix up your dye as instructed on the packet. I used indigo dye which can be a little trickier to get ready but once you’ve mixed all the ingredients it should have a film on top like this...

Step 3 - Tie up your fabric with your rubber bands or string. You can follow traditional patterns such as pleating or marbling or just make it up as you go along! The basic rule is that wherever you tie on a rubber band it should prevent the dye from reaching the fabric and create a pattern. I chose to pleat my curtains so began by folding them both with the same sized pleat by laying them next to each other as I folded.
 

This was by no means an exact science but again all adds to the charm of the overall effect. Once I had pleated both curtains I attached my rubber bands along the fabric. Mine are blue as I had used them previously.

I wanted to try and get them fairly evenly spaced on both curtains to create a similar effect when dyed.
 

The most important thing is to make sure that you tie the rubber bands or string on tightly as if you leave any room for the dye to get in you wont see any pattern when you take them off.
 

Step 4 - Dye your fabric! You want to immerse the fabric in your dye carefully to avoid spillages and wearing gloves can help to prevent funny coloured fingers! It will probably float on the top so make sure you keep turning it every now and then to achieve an even dye. Again follow your dye instructions for this. If using indigo dye you only need to leave your fabric in the dye for a few minutes and then take it out where it will slowly turn from green to blue as it oxidises.
 

Step 5 - Hang to dry & then display!

I have also used this technique as part of my year long creative project #daphnerosainbloom where I am using a different flower in bloom each month to inspire me to create something and blogging about it here. April's tulips definitely benefited from my new obsession!

I hope you enjoyed the DIY and have lots of fun exploring the world of dyeing! I’d love to see any of your efforts so do be sure to tag me on Instagram if you share. You can find me at @daphnerosaflowers.

Kate, x

Thanks so much to Kate for this fabulous tutorial, don't forget to #livelovemake on Instagram or twitter if you give this a go and tag @daphneroasaflowers too of course!

Now, what can we use for all the Shibori dying we are going to be doing! ha ha
H & Sammy, xxx

Bloglovin / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Google+ / Instagram

Make it: Colour Pop Headphones with Tiger

Last time H and I popped into London we headed to what is becoming our go-to place for DIY friendly home-wares, Tiger.  We picked up loads of fun bits and bobs, one of the things I got was some white headphones. I loved them white but I wanted to give them a bit of a make over. I have seen so many really cool decorated ones around lately and I thought these would make a great base for a little colour pop.

To make these colour pop headphones you will need: a scrap of colourful jersey fabric, a pair of white headphones from Tiger. Scissors, needle and thread, double sided tape, a thin flat ended tool (a flat head screwdriver would work)

Step1. Start by removing the ear pad from the earphone head and removing it from the headband.
Step 2. Find a good piece of your fabric where you like the pattern and draw around the earphone leaving about 2.5cm seam allowance.
Step 3. Cut out your circle of jersey.
Step 4. Take some double sided tape and stick it around the edge of the earphone. Using the tool or screwdriver start to poke the edge of the jersey in the gap between the outside and inside of the earphone.
Step 5. Once you have tucked the raw edges in all the way around, pop it back in the headband and replace the ear pad.
Step 6. Repeat on the other earphone.

Step 7. Cut a length of jersey long enough to cover the band over the head.

Step 8. Fold the jersey over the band and hand stitch it in place, turning the edges in as you go.
Step 9. You can leave the sewn edge to the side or twist it to the centre.
Step 10. Enjoy your new headphones.

I am so in love with these beauties! The thing I love is that the possibilities are endless. You can use any jersey fabric, you could even use an old band t-shirt and if you change you mind after a while just remove your first go and start again. 

Do you have a Tiger store near you? H is lucky enough to have one near her in Woking. I am hoping Maidenhead might be next on their list, that might be wishful thinking. I am loving visiting when I am in London though. Have you picked up any must haves from their spring collection? What DIY's are you up to this bank holiday? Let us know as always in the comments below.

Have a lovely weekend
Sammy xxx


This post is a collaboration with Tiger Stores UK.


Bloglovin / Twitter / Facebook / Pinterest / Google+ / Instagram