DIY Summer Wrap Skirt

Hi everyone - hope you are all doing okay during this strange time! I was wondering what I could write about as I know my content has been lacking so far this year. In the end, I thought it might be best to write about things that anyone can make/do at home (seeing as that's where most of us are at the moment). I put a poll on my Instagram story (if you want you can follow my account here @ohames) to ask what DIY you guys would rather see first, so here is how to make your own wrap skirt:

This is a very easy and quick way to add a new piece of clothing to your wardrobe without costing the planet - if you don't have enough fabric try to avoid buying anything new (use that ‘make do and mend’ mindset) and use what you have lying around, you can use an old duvet set or bed sheet and give it a new lease of life. I have been given quite a lot of old fabric from family members who no longer wanted it, so always ask around in your family to see what you can get your hands on.

These are all the bits and bobs you will need:

• Spool of thread that matches a colour in your fabric - I have chosen white polyester thread for this skirt
• Sewing Machine - if you don't have a sewing machine you can always hand stitch using a continuous running stitch (see below for further instructions for this) but it will take a bit longer than using the machine
• Fabric - roughly 1mx1m of your chosen fabric (or a single duvet cover in my case)
• Fabric scissors
• Tape measure
• Ruler
• Pins
• Pencil/Tailors chalk
• Notepad 
• Small embroidery scissors or an unpicker

Grab your tape measure and measure… 

the length you want the skirt to be (I measured 36 inches and I'm 5ft 3, I wanted to make a long skirt, so this measurement reached my ankles) 

your waist - then add half of your waist measurement to the original waist measurement. For example, my waist was 29 inches (29/2 = 14.5) 29 + 14.5 = 43.5 inches 

the waistband - to ensure the ties are accounted for use the previous measurement (43.5 inches) and double the number 43.5 x 2 = 87 inches and add 2 inches for seam allowance - the length of this waistband would therefore be 89 inches. The width of the waistband is up to you, however, make sure it is double what you want it to be. For example, I wanted a 2 inch waistband so I made the width 4 inches as the waistband folds over the top raw edge of the skirt. 

Once you have measured all three parts you can start to sketch out the skirt shape and waistband with a ruler and pencil (or tailors chalk) - it is easier to cut the skirt and waistband on the fold like the diagram below...

Instructions:

After you have cut out the waistband and skirt, pin and sew up the two lengths of the skirt, then sew the bottom hem

You can overlock then sew the edges or fold the raw edge in once, then one more time (below are the two variations)

Once you have made what looks like a big square with three neat edges and one raw top edge, it is time to attach the waistband. Fold the waist band in half lengthways and iron flat, using the crease place the waistband in the middle of your skirt. Right sides of both fabric pieces should be facing, pin along the raw top edge until you reach the end of the skirt square, leave the two excess strips as they will become the ties.

Sew the waistband to the skirt, iron the seam flat and the waistband in half so it is 2 inches wide. To ensure the ties are neatly finished sew the raw edges together right sides facing then flip the fabric the right way round. Carefully push the corners out with the tip of your scissors, do this for both ends of the ties.

Then fold the raw edges of the waistband inwards 1/1.5cm and pin. Line up the folded edge of the skirt waistband with the last line of sewing. Sew the edges together, it should look like top stitching.

Finally, to get the wrap effect, wrap the skirt around your waist and pin where you want the wrap to start, I pinned my waistband 39 inches from the left as the skirt was right side down. Next set up the buttonhole foot on your machine or follow this video on how to stitch a buttonhole by hand. Then once sewn, cut out the centre with an unpicker or small embroidery scissors.

Give the whole skirt a quick iron - then thread the waistband tie through the buttonhole to tighten the skirt around your waist, finish with a knot or bow.  

There you have it…a simple wrap skirt that can be made in just one afternoon!

TIPS: 

It is best to use a light cotton and nothing that's too thick, but if it is a very lightweight fabric like the one I used, feel free to line the skirt, to do this just cut two of the skirt squares out.

If you are hand stitching the skirt use a sharp needle and use a running stitch like this to keep the skirt secure (I used black thread so you could see the thread clearly, but remember to use a thread that is a similar colour to your fabric)

If you do end up trying out this wrap skirt, make sure to tag me in your work – I would love to see your creations! If you have any questions leave them down below! 

All my love

Ames 

xxx

Fashion for Good - Part One

Hey everyone hope you are all well! I thought today I would tell you all about Fashion for Good, an interactive museum based in Amsterdam. Fashion for Good's mission is to bring together the entire fashion ecosystem through their Innovation Platform and be an instigator for change. I visited the Fashion for Good interactive museum (which is actually the world's first interactive museum for sustainable fashion innovation) back in April. It was honestly my favourite exhibition ever - it was well up my street, so much so I have made two parts to this. Part One will be all about the actual museum experience but Part Two will showcase the interesting work, Fashion for Good does.

Firstly the museum is free (if you are based in Amsterdam or just visiting I highly recommend popping in, click here to visit the website for more information) and provides visitors with Action Bracelets made from recycled plastic which you scan throughout the museum. The aim is to make a Good Fashion Action Plan using the bracelet to commit to actions. 

On my visit I was advised to start at the Journey of a T-shirt section first and learnt that the apparel industry accounts for an estimated 8% of the world's total greenhouse gas emissions. The museum shows in depth how a T-shirt is made, from the raw material stage to fabric production, dyeing, cutting & sewing, transport, retail and then the use stage. I learnt so much, but this one statistic stood out to me, for an average T-shirt an estimated 0.6% of the retail price goes to the factory who made the garment!! Within this section there is also a visual timeline of Good Fashion from the late 1700s to the late 2010s as well as a video showing the human impacts fashion has.

Upstairs is the Innovation Lounge which is full to the brim with information about innovative fabrics and sustainable initiatives. One that stood out to me was BEXT360 (USA) which traces raw materials and products from source to shopper. The platform can verify where products come from and whether they are authentic, using a unique combination of blockchain,(blockchain is a record of transactions originally developed for cryptocurrencies) machine vision and artificial intelligence technology. BEXT360 makes supply chain traceability into a science benefiting both the consumers and companies. To read more click here.

  

There is a shop on the ground floor full of sustainable and ethically made garments from really interesting brands. I really enjoyed having a look at what alternatives there are, compared to the average fast fashion brands! There is so much more at the Fashion for Good Experience that I haven't covered here, so if you are interested you may have to go and visit. 

Hope you enjoyed! 

All my love

Ames 

xxx

Fashion Movements - Sustainablity

Hello everyone, today I wanted to talk to you a little bit about how fashion has evolved to become what it is known as today. The environment has recently been a buzzword, particularly within fashion and therefore I thought it would be interesting to see how the fashion industry has arrived at where it is now. There have been multiple movements from 1990 onwards and I think that learning about the past helps to ensure a better future for everyone. I hope you all enjoy...

1990-2000: A Quickening

Due to the 1992 Rio Earth Summit and the formation of the UNFCCC (the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) there was an urgency to stabilise greenhouse gases, especially during the 1990s, in order to prevent the climate from becoming endangered. However, at the same time the fashion industry was growing due to economic, political and technological changes. China's export-led strategy initiated by Deng Xiaoping (1904-1997) opened the country up to foreign investment. A large impact on globalisation was the development of shipping containers. 94% of countries had ports to receive large shipments by the late 1980s. By 2015 the cost to ship cargo had dropped by 90% in 60 years - a simple sweater could travel 3,000 miles by sea just for a few pence. 

In 1989 the New York Times used the words, 'Fast Fashion' to describe ZARA's 'Quick Response' model, which initially was created for car manufacturing in Japan. The model was adopted to improve efficiencies in fashion manufacturing and supply chains. The Internet accelerated the speed of fashion too. By the end of the millennium a perfect storm was brewing for the fashion industry to become a huge contributor to the environmental crisis.

Katharine Hamnett highlighted in her designs the stark facts about the environmental degradation caused by fashion, but she also showed the human welfare aspects too. As there were 270,000 farmer suicides between 1995 and 2013, caused by desperation due to spiralling repayment costs of pesticides and seeds sold on credit - the collection Hamnett created only used organic cotton. This designer therefore set an early example for others to follow.

Katharine Hamnett's Clean up or Die Jacket

2000-2010: Momentum 

ASOS and Net-a-Porter both opened their online doors in 2000, a defining point in the rise of online shopping. However Marks and Spencer, one of UK's most well known retailers, set out 100 bold, measurable commitments in 2007, in its 'Plan A' initiative. Named because CEO at the time Stuart Rose said, 'there is no Plan B' when it comes to the environment. Aims included: limiting the impact of climate change by using renewable energy and efficient production processes; extending a commitment to fair-trade cotton; supporting farmers and encouraging energy conservation in the care of clothes by customers through the introduction of 'wash at 30 degrees' labels. Post-purchase responsibility shows customers have a critical role in achieving sustainable habits. It all starts with what we buy as well as how we look after and discard clothes.

Whilst the pace sped up to address the urgent need for a more sustainable approach to fashion, ever-cheaper fashion was accelerating, a vivid example of fast fashion was witnessed when Primark launched in 2007 - shoppers were seen trampling over each other for bargains, an iconic image of crazy consumption.

Customers fall over each other in order to buy bargains

2010 Onwards: What has really changed?

By 2010, the call for the fashion industry to address sustainability was rising in volume. In 2011 the Greenpeace 'Detox Campaign' challenged many of the world's most popular fashion brands to eliminate the release of all hazardous chemicals from their production processes. Detoxing fashion continues to be problematic as many brands struggle due to selling outsourced products.

An example of an initiative that has been successful is Fashion Revolution's, 'Who made my clothes?'. This was created in response to the terrible and fatal Rana Plaza collapse back in 2013. Work related deaths of garment workers in developing countries continues, so it is imperative that Fashion Revolution's simple question is now a worldwide campaign. Brands are under much more scrutiny than they have ever been before. Transparency and traceability both have grown in importance for all brands and in the words of Joanna Macy, an environmental activist, this is 'a time of great turning', from a self destructing society to a life-sustaining society. 

Extinction Rebellion 'Die-in' at LFW

Even though there is valuable work going on to demand a better fashion world, the UK’s Fashion Industry is worth £26 billion and provides 800,000 jobs to the economy, making it the UK’s largest creative industry. Completely eradicating fashion from the world isn't a sensible solution, fashion just needs to reinvent itself and become more circular, fairer, sustainable and long-term. If you are interested in fashion or have just been on social media in the past few days you will know that London Fashion Week is in full swing. A few years back I would have wanted nothing more than to be with the people in the front row, however now I would much rather try to change the industry to become more caring and more curious about clothes. After I heard people had protested outside LFW I thought 'WOW this could be change' but I don't know if stopping fashion altogether is the best option, maybe it is, maybe it isn't. Fashion is a huge industry and employes a lot of people who depend on it for their livelihoods. If you want to read more about the 'die-in' that Extinction Rebellion held outside London Fashion Week I recommend this article. 

I think it will take a lot more time for real change to permeate the fashion industry, but changes have started, they just need to increase and continue.

Fashion Revolution's Fanzine

Hope you learnt something new and enjoyed this post! Have an amazing week!

All my love 

Ames 

xxx

DIY Cleaning Products (Money saving tips for Students)

Who wants to be spending god knows how much money on cleaning products every month when you are living in a student flat or house? No one, so here are a few ways you can save money by making your own cleaning products. One of the best things about making your own products is that once you have the raw ingredients you will be able to make the products again and again. This therefore saves you so much time and money. I have trialled these products over the summer and I am definitely going to be using them during my next year at uni!

Product No.1 - Multi-Purpose Cleaner

Ingredients 

1 litre of hot water

1 tbsp baking soda

32ml of white vinegar

½ a lemon

Method 

1. In a small bucket combine vinegar, baking soda and hot water.
2. Squeeze in the juice from half a lemon, then drop the rind in as well to infuse the cleaner.
3. Stir well to dissolve the baking soda and allow to cool. Remove the lemon rind.
4. Transfer into a spray bottle or squeeze bottle and label clearly. 
5. Then use your cleaner in order to clean surfaces in your kitchen, bathroom or bedroom.

Product No.2 - Window Cleaner 

Ingredients

300ml of warm water

1 tbsp of corn flour

32ml of white vinegar

Method

1. Combine everything in a spray bottle, and shake well. 
2. Shake well before using, too, as the corn flour might settle at the bottom and not work as well. 

Product No.3 - Toilet detergent 

Ingredients

10 drops of tea tree essential oil

10 drops of lavender essential oil

113g of baking soda

113ml of white vinegar

Method 

1. Combine baking soda and essential oils in a mixing bowl. 
2. When ready to clean toilet bowl add vinegar and pour mixture into the toilet. 
3. Then scrub with toilet brush.

Note: This is a single use recipe. There is no method of storage due to the fizzing action.

Hope you all found this helpful! Have a fabulous weekend 

All my love

Ames xx

Can you still be sustainable at Festivals?

Hell yes you can! It just takes some time and planning to make sure you are prepared! But anyone can be sustainable, we just need to make sure people around us are informed on their impacts just as much as we are. So if you are going to festivals with mates remember to let them know they too can be sustainable. I have researched around this topic and have created 6 simple things you can do/ways you can be sustainable at a festival...

1. TAKE YOUR TENT HOME - this is a big one but an important one. The amount of waste left behind after festivals each year is mindboggling!! Just look at this one below, I mean littering is one thing but on this scale it is intense, a simple thing you can do to reduce this is to take your tents home (if they are broken at least take them back home so you can re-purpose them in to something else see here for some really good ideas) and make sure you bring either tubs to put rubbish in or bin bags (but make sure when you leave your campsite that it is clean - this helps the environment so much and the people who tidy up afterwards).

Taken from Twitter

2. USE BIODEGRADABLE GLITTER - festivals are a time of the year where everyone, boys and girls all get glittered up from head to toe, it's fun and a classic festival thing to do, however glitter is littering on a small scale. Glitter is made from plastic so therefore is damaging to the planet especially when it gets into the water table/water system - which would end up contributing to the plastic already within our seas. An alternative to plastic glitter would be biodegradable glitter which you can buy from most online stores from ASOS to Amazon. Yet I found a brand that sold biodegradable glitter as well as makeup and a lot of other ethical products (it's worth a check out).

Bioglitz is a brand of glitter that biodegrades - I learnt

about it at Fashion for Good in Amsterdam

3. BRING YOUR OWN CUTLERY AND FOOD - a simple way to not use single use plastics would be to use your own cutlery at a festival (if you don't want to bring a whole set a spork is really handy - however if you don't already have one check out more Eco alternatives to the plastic ones!). Also bring snacks like nuts and dried fruits in little reusable bags/boxes (bags are more useful as you can squish them in to tiny spaces. Bananas are also great festival foods as they have their own natural package so won't get damaged - if you bring food already prepared you will also save a lot of money.

4. TAKE A REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE - taps are always around at festivals and if you can't find one then ask the festival food stalls nicely and I'm sure they would be happy to help you out! Also if you know you love coffee/tea bring a reusable thermos/coffee cup - save the environment people it's important!

5. USE WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE (DON'T BE TEMPTED BY FAST FASHION) - please don't go buying outfits you will just wear for this one weekend and never again. Remember someone has made your clothing and on average about 100 hands touch one piece of clothing before the consumer does. Just think more creatively about your own wardrobe! If you have an item you love...great, wear it. Maybe mix it up by throwing on a bikini top instead of what you normally would - it's handy because it will keep you cool in those big sweaty crowds. 

6. BIODEGRADABLE BABY WIPES/FACE WIPES - baby wipes and makeup wipes are essentials for any festival however they aren't great for the planet. So unless you already have a pack (make use of what you have, don't throw them away) then why not buy some baby wipes that biodegrade to try out (I'm going to see if they work for me at the festival I'm going to this year).

Hope this blog post helped you guys out! Let me know if it has, have fun festivalling if you are going this year just make sure to think about your impacts wherever you are!

All my love 

Ames

xxx

Capsule Wardrobe 101

Hey there you lovely bunch! Today I wanted to share with you how I have gone about creating my capsule wardrobe. But before I do, if you are sat there wondering what the heck a capsule wardrobe is, well I can tell you! A 'capsule wardrobe' is a term first used by Susie Faux, the owner of a London boutique called "Wardrobe" in the 1970s. A capsule wardrobe is a collection of a few essential items of clothing such as trousers, skirts, and coats, that won't go out of fashion/you don't fall out of love with. 

“The basic idea is simple: by building a capsule wardrobe you will buy fewer clothes of a higher quality that you will wear more often. You will look and feel confident and successful because the quality will show and because you know that the overall look works.” ~ Susie Faux 

Faux has defined her idea of the core pieces: a jacket, a skirt, trousers, a blouse, a sweater, tights, shoes, a coat, a dress, a bag, and a belt. However, she also mentioned that it will depend on person to person. By creating a capsule wardrobe you will be able to get dressed with ease as well as save time for the things that matter most. Say goodbye to those 'I have nothing to wear' dilemmas we all know too well. 

If you want to a) find your own style/are fed up with what you are wearing, b) be more sustainable or c) actually wear all your clothes follow these 5 simple steps...

1. You don't have to have an exact number, but aiming for 50 or fewer pieces of clothing will be a good start...To begin with if you are a bit of a shopaholic try to be strict on yourself and don't try to fill up your wardrobe as soon as you have emptied it. But give yourself the freedom to evolve over time as you learn what works and what doesn't for you.

2. Begin with a simple clear-out...Limiting your wardrobe to a specific number can help, yet make sure that what you don't want anymore is either donated to charities or used as scraps for cleaning or other purposes - remember that simply throwing away your clothes is not only bad for the environment but a waste of money.

3. Trial the process if you're a bit scared to commit fully...Pick 10 items of clothing that you are going to wear for the week and don't wear anything other than those items. See if you'll be able to do it!

4. Be honest about your lifestyle and what you need from a wardrobe...Don't end up with 'fantasy-life' clothes instead of 'real-life clothes'. 

5. Don't worry about making it perfect...Accept that you won't have the perfect 'Instagramable' wardrobe, but you will have one that is unique to you and makes you feel good inside. Who wants to be perfect anyway, that would be boring!

Hope you guys liked this post, let me know if any of you make a capsule wardrobe! All my love,

Ames xxx