Nov 24, 2012 | DIY
Rosie Martin, the incredibly-talented sewist and entrepreneur behind the UK-based company DIY Couture has (finally!) released a book by the same name. She runs DIY workshops and sewing events throughout London, and puts out a biannual line of instructions to create an entire clothing collection from scratch.
This first book, DIY Couture: Create Your Own Fashion Collection contains the instructions to create the base pattern for 10 unique pieces, each of which has an amazing 8 variations included within (and for those who are keeping track, that’s a whopping 80 different garments that can be made from this one single book!)
The basic pattern (or “block”) for each style is actually created by doing a ruboff (or copy) of an item of clothing you already have in your closet that fits the way you’d like it. The instructions are detailed, illustrated, and very easy-to-follow. There are no patterns to copy, cut out, or notch; you’re just making a pattern (or drawing directly onto your fabric) for your finished pieces…a huge timesaver in the long run. (But trace onto paper or oaktag to keep your blocks for all the variations you could do for each Collection!) 
Though it’s not “Couture” and you may not end up with a pattern that’s precisely exact to please the discerning patternmaker, you end up with something that is close enough for the purposes of the home sewist or DIY’er. You can make your blocks using a minimum of tools (usually just marking chalk, pins, and a ruler…no French curves or flexible ruler needed!), and more importantly, since you’re making them using something you own that fits you already, every variation made from that block will also fit you. No grading or difficult patternmaking needed!
The “Collections” are grouped into specific styles of variations on the blocks, with funky-sounding names like “Coffee Classic,” “Acid Candy,” or “Monochrome Art.”
Though an entire collection may not be to one’s specific taste, you can easily mix-and-match the style, cutting, and details of the pieces to create exactly what you want. It’s the best road map you could ever want when it comes to DIY sewing.
I love that the style and silhouettes of the pieces are very on-trend and modern – and you can easily tailor the look of anything to mimic other pieces seen on the runways or in retail stores. Fashion that looks high-end but is totally attainable with your own skills!
For every DIY’er interested in sewing, for every aspiring designer, for every sewist who wants the quickest route from concept to finished product: this book caters to you all. Though this is tailored more to the sewist with intermediate skills, even beginners can try their hand at the simpler projects and work through the different pieces to gain skills and confidence.
Rating: 
(4 out of 4)
Overall: An amazing resource chock-full of ideas and how-tos, using the simplest of techniques to create beautifully on-trend and modern clothing. A MUST for any sewing or DIY library! (And a great Christmas gift for the fashionista in your life!)
Have any of you guys checked out this book, or visited Rosie Martin’s site? What do you think of a sewing book that has you draft patterns from clothes you already have? The perfect intro to sewing – or not precise enough to be called patternmaking?
xoxox
Carly
FTC Disclaimer: I received one copy of the book DIY Couture for review purposes. I have not received any other compensation whatsoever. The review and opinions above are my own. To read more about my Disclosure Policy, click here.
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Nov 18, 2012 | Media
The book that’s on the top of my nightstand right now- and often follows me to work in my handbag – is Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative
by Austin Kleon.
It’s amazing, inspiring, to the point, and life-changing. Besides it being a great book for anybody who habitually does anything creative, I figured, what better topic than for Chic Steals??
I know the name of my blog can sometimes be misleading. As many of you know, it ended up being called “Chic Steals” simply because it started out as a place to house the articles I wrote for FashionTribes.com…which were all called “Carly’s Chic Steals and Fashion Deals of the Week.” That whole title was too long to use as a URL, so I shortened it to Chic Steals. I love to do DIYs inspired by what’s trending now…and yes, I often create dupes rather than my own version. I like to provide the how and the tools to people out there – to get inspired and make their own pieces. It doesn’t have to be an exact dupe either…the great thing about DIY is that the degree of customization is up to you.
Now if you were going to sell anything that is an exact copy of someone else’s work, or sell the tutorial somehow, then that gets into a gray area.
The driving thoughts behind this blog are that we are all still learning. Here is the how – now go off and make it yours. Remix, remaster, remake. And try, try again until it’s something you like.
Make it for yourself. Make it to give someone else. Share the knowledge and the skillset.
I’d highly recommend this book to anyone. It’s a great pick-me-up for when you’re feeling tapped out of creativity, and a great reminder to keep going. And to get better. I always read a little bit, then have to rush off into a project because I’m so.goshdarn.INSPIRED by what’s written here. It’s a great little Chanukah present or stocking stuffer for the artist in your life as well!
Be inspired – get creative – and steal, steal, steal!
xoxo
Carly
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Nov 16, 2012 | Fashion
Hair: rolled in soft rollers, let dry overnight, back-brushed at the top, top half pulled back with a clip
Crystal Tower Earrings: JewelMint
Cut Back Blazer: DailyLook.com
Copper Collar: H&M
Teach for the Sky Peplum Top: Modcloth.com
Wallet Clutch Bag: Laguna Moon [Japanese brand]
Rings: Target, Claire’s, Cartier & Tiffany wedding rings
Bling Rhinestone Watch: DailyLook.com
Weave Been There Skirt: Modcloth.com
Sparkle tights: ? (similar here)
Cone-Heel Studded Ombre Pumps: Spiral Girl [Japanese brand]
I finally made my first Modcloth purchase recently – and couldn’t wait to share.
(more…)
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Nov 2, 2012 | Media
New Dress a Day: The Ultimate DIY Guide to Creating Fashion Dos from Thrift-Store Don’ts is the book based on Marisa Lynch’s popular New Dress a Day blog. In Summer 2009 Marisa lost her job, and in the interim of job-hunting and being bummed out, she happened to catch a screening of the movie Julie and Julia. She left the theater inspired to do exactly what Julie Powell did: create a blog, and post a new recipe on it every day, for 365 days. But her “recipes” would be not cooking but sewing projects: “dressipes” that she could whip up daily and show other people how to emulate. And her choice of materials were thrifted items: the only things she allowed herself to purchase for the entire year.
By November 2010 her blog was receiving huge traffic, media requests poured in, and Marisa was suddenly a name all over upcyling, eco-friendly, fashion, and style blogs. This book contains many of her most talked-about projects, as well as projects, tips, and ideas she’s never shared before, all punctuated with her unique sense of fun.
As you can tell, Marisa is a great model: photogenic, funny, and quirky. The downside to this is that many shots of her finished creations are taken from unusual angles, cropped, or in poses so it’s hard to really get a sense of how the final project looks once done. Some of the photos could be better quality.
The design of the book echoes the design of her blog: homsepun, cute, and stitchery-inspired. She offers a HUGE variety of tips and tricks about refashioning garments, from small fixes and ideas to entirely overhauling the garments from the seams up. Some ideas are not geared for the longevity of the garment (like using duct tape to hold a hem up); they’re more just as ideas for what you could do.
The book starts off with a lesson in the basics: sewing machine parts, stitch types, safety, and choosing the right needles. Essential to any beginner to start with, or any expert who wants a refresher. The majority of this book focuses on sewing, and it’s definitely geared towards people who are at least slightly comfortable with sewing (even if just by hand!) and are looking to learn a little more. (There are some no-sew projects in the book, though.) The projects Marisa shares are more jumping-off points for what you could do with garments you have or thrift; a compendium of ideas that could be applicable in many refashioning projects depending on what you do. Unlike her blog, however, the steps in many projects are not fully or carefully photographed, so unless you already are familiar with the techniques being used, you might have some difficulty following along.
She includes sections on Accessories, Leftovers, and Trimmings, but judging by the number and results of the projects in those sections, it’s clear that her skillset lies more in the sewing and upcycling of garments into…well, better garments, rather than into small pieces and accessories. Some of the finished garments may not be to one’s personal taste or look particularly modern (there is only so much you can do with polyester, after all!), but you can always take the techniques and ideas and apply them elsewhere.
The book is also chock-full of little stories, sayings, and vignettes from Marisa’s life that add to the feeling that she is truly sitting beside you, chatting with you as you work. References to current and recent pop culture abound, which make for fun and current reading, but which could date this book quickly. Flea-market shopping ideas, how-tos on how to fix mistakes, where to shop, and a project ideas section and mood board page make this potentially a useful resource for your future shopping outings and project planning.
Last but not least, seeing the author in her many ensembles and how she’s been styled can also give you some great ideas for how to style similar pieces in your own closet.
Rating: 
(3 out of 4)
Overall: Amusing, entertaining, and full of ideas. A little tough to follow in places unless you’re an intermediate sewist; project techniques sometimes limited to that specific cut/style of the piece. But Marisa’s can-do attitude is infectious, and you’ll find yourself smiling by the last page…even if you use this book only as a technique reference in the future.
Have any of you guys checked out this book, or read Marisa’a blog? What do you think?
xoxox
Carly
FTC Disclaimer: I received one copy of the book New Dress a Day for review purposes. I have not received any other compensation whatsoever. The review and opinions above are my own. To read more about my Disclosure Policy, click here.
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Aug 31, 2012 | Fashion
SCOUT by Bungalow is a line of colorful, preppy totes, bags, and carry-alls that are heavy-duty enough to take whatever you can throw at them and more. 
What differentiates them from other carry-alls on the market are the fashion-forward, bright patterns matched with the incredible durability and functionality of each piece. The folks over there kindly sent me the Pocket Rocket Tote in the blue Boca pattern to try out and write a review about.
This particular tote isn’t made of canvas (though they do have canvas-material items for sale on the site); it’s made of a super-tough poly material; similar to tarpaulins. It wipes clean and amazingly resists wrinkling and spills.
It has an inside zipper (perfect for when my bag turns upside-down…which it seems to almost daily!), and has outer pockets, enough to hold 6 bottles.
2 separate handles allow you to carry it as a shoulder-tote or as a carry-all.
I also DIY’d a little preppy initial keychain charm for the handle…DIY tutorial coming soon!
I really like my tote and it’s already survived 2 family trips, stuffed to the gills with drinks, food, and clothing – and looks great paired with a number of different outfits! If you’re looking for something that looks fun and colorful and can hold all your stuff (and your family’s stuff!) check out SCOUT by Bungalow for the perfect carry-all! (And they also have storage and decorative options for your house, like their pretty Tabletop Collection – so check them out!)
xoxox
Carly
FTC Disclosure: I was sent one tote by SCOUT by Bungalow as a review item and have received no other compensation. The opinions in this post are my own. See here for my Disclosure Policy.
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