Clothing- Red Corset

I recently ordered a couple of corsets from a sale on Corset Deal. One of them I'm using as the base for my wedding dress bodice and the other is one is this gorgeous red and black gothic number.

I'm really pleased with how it looks, though full disclosure it does seem a little roomy around the bust to armpit area, maybe I'm just not as well endowed as the ladies this corset is designed for. Still, I'm not falling out or exposed when I move so it does the job ok. 

The corset has a hidden zip on the left hand side and tight laces up the back. It is a steel boned corset so can suck me in 2-4 inches. All I need now is a reason to leave the house and I can show it off....I suppose I could always dress up and wear it out walking the dog! ;-)

DIY Fashion- Coin Purse

This DIY is a gentle introduction to working with fabrics for anyone who doesn't have much experience with sewing.

Things you will need-

• Cotton fabric
• Thread
• Sewing Machine or Needle
• Iron on Velcro
• Iron
• Fabric Scissors
• Scissors
• Chalk
• Paper
• Ruler
• Pencil

Start by drawing out a template on paper. This design measures 17cm across and 12.5cm deep, it sounds like a lot but don't forget that includes a seam allowance. To get a symmetrical pattern fold your template in half down the centre and then cut it out to ensure both sides are even. 

Fold your fabric in half so that you have 2 layers of material and draw around your template with the chalk. Cut out your pattern along the chalk line being careful to cut the top and bottom layer together.  

If you don't own a sewing machine you can hand stitch your fabric but it will be faster with a machine. Fold over a 1.5cm seam allowance along the top edge of each piece and straight stitch along the edge. You may find it easier to pin down the fabric or iron it flat before you begin stitching. 

Once you have sewn down the top edge of both pieces place your sections back to back with the wrong sides facing out. Stitch along the bottom edge again leaving a 1.5cm seam allowance. 

Turn your purse the right way out and measure and cut your iron on velcro. You should need a length approximately 12cm long. Place the velcro inside the top edge of the purse and iron it on as per the instructions on the velcro package. 

If you like you can also stitch over the velcro for extra security.Trim any loose threads and your coin purse is finished!

DIY Fashion- Pattern Haul

Woo! I just received a bundle of dress making patterns in the post today and am very excited. :-) I haven't made any new clothes from scratch for a while now, the past couple of years I have been mostly altering and up-cycling existing clothes.

I can't wait to get started! These patterns are all 'costume' style but with a few small alterations and different materials to the ones shown on the packets and I'll have some awesome new gothy outfits.  

Clothing- Red Shoes

Yesterday I bought my first new pair of shoes in almost 10 years. I'm not joking, since I got my New Rock boots back at university I haven't spent any money on new shoes or new boots until now. New Rock is built to last! (And they look awesome.)

I happened to spot these while helping my partner find a bow-tie and I had to stop and try them on. Most high heels have stilettos and I cannot for the life of me walk in those things. I fall over. Repeatedly. So I was rather pleased to finally spot a shoe with a nice chunky heel that I could walk in without toppling over.

My bad photography skills make these shoes look brown but they are actually a lovely deep burgundy red colour. I've never had shiny patent shoes before either so it's going to be interesting seeing how they match up (or hideously clash with) my usual wardrobe. 

A final thing that I love about these shoes is that on top of being able to walk in them they also don't make my ankles look super chunky. Don't get me wrong, I quite like my big ankles, they're sturdy, but they do look a bit strange sometimes in dainty little shoes. 

Jewellery Showcase- Beaded Butterfly Pendant

One of my favourite styles of jewellery to make is definitely bead embroidery. It's something that's a little unusual and different from mainstream jewellery you'd find on the high street.

This is a little metal butterfly I beaded around in black and pewter/bronze shade beads.

This piece is available in my Etsy Shop alongside other bead embroidery items I have made. 

Make Up- Animal Testing

Hi Everyone,
Apologies for the lack of updates recently, I've been down in Somerset visiting my grandparents for the past week. Thankfully all family members are now out of the hospital and on their various roads to recovery. My Granddad is zipping around on his zimmer frame and desperate to get back outside to the cows. Updates will now resume as normal, starting with todays-


Every so often I will be posting about make up, be it reviewing different items that I've purchased or trying out new looks. I want to make it clear that I will only ever be using make up products that have not been tested on animals. That means that the cosmetic companies will not have tested any finished products or individual ingredients within their products on animals, nor will they have paid a third party to conduct the tests on their behalf.

In this day and age there is absolutely no excuse for testing cosmetics on animals and I always do a thorough check on any company before buying cosmetics from them. If however you believe that I have listed a product from a company that tests on animals please get in touch asap to let me know!

Clothing- Summer Hat

I have wanted a new summer hat for several years now but have never been able to find one that suited me. My previous hat was an old and very faded baseball cap that wasn't particularly gothy or fashionable. But then by chance I came across this sun hat in Tesco's of all places and it was fantastic.

So happy to have finally found a summer hat that suits me.

DIY Fashion- Ripped Tights

A large part about being goth when the subculture first appeared was making your own clothes because, well, shops didn't really stock 'gothic' clothing. Nowadays there are a lot more options especially with the phenomenon of online shopping but making your own clothes is still fun, rewarding and gives you something that nobody else has.

Some of the projects I feature on this blog will be upcycling and altering pre-made clothing and others will be making items from scratch. This week is a super easy project- altering tights to look more edgy.

Things you will need-

• A pair of tights
• Scissors

You may find it easiest to put the tights on for this project so that you can see where the holes will be, just be very careful that you don't catch yourself with the scissors. You can do this with any kind of tights you like, opaque, sheer, fishnet etc. This is also a good way to save a pair of tights that you accidentally ladder.

Take the scissors and start snipping small holes in the tights, you can always make a small hole bigger but you'll struggle making a big hole smaller. 

Keep going until you are happy with the appearance of your tights. Don't forget to do the back as well as the front! If you can't reach the back properly take the tights off and put them on again back-to-front to make it easier.

You can choose to make both legs similar or go for a different look and give one leg big holes and the other small holes. Be creative!

Jewellery Showcase- Ladybug Hair Clips

I made some hair clips with these little ladybug-like critters on them. They are a bit sparkly compared to the stuff I normally make but I think they're fun.

I have a shop over on Etsy where you can find these hair clips and all the other jewellery, accessories and artwork I create. Check out my Etsy Shop or if you'd prefer something made just for you you can find commission details on my Website.