Here’s a little idea I came up with the other day thanks to an over saturation of looking at bikinis (take a look at this summers trend post here.) I have recently been very much enamoured with this One Teaspoon bikini, which inspired me to play around with the back of your basic string bikini to see what you can do that is a little more original than just tieing bows, which always at risk of being pulled at by friends and children. I’ve been there, it’s not the best experience, but then I just posed half-naked in the woods with this bikini on. My mother-in-law was like “you did what?!” “there are perverts in those woods!” Well lucky for me there was just a woman and her dog, she sat and watched.

There are quite a few steps to this little DIY, but seriously don’t be deterred, it’s easy peasy, and it just needs a few stitches here and there. Of course you could also do it with a sewing machine to make your life easier if you want!

How to make the DIY bikini

1. You will need : A string bikini, a bikini clasp, pins, a needle and thread, and scissors.

2. Fold the bottom straps back towards the triangles as seen in the photo. Pin and stitch to the triangles on each side.

3. Attach the clasp. I looped mine through, it depends on the clasp!

4. Work out exactly where you want to attach the neck straps, and test if it works for you. I crossed mine over so I still had the original support from the bikini and to keep the triangles cups in shape at the front.

5. Sew the straps together.

6. Now onto the bikini bottoms. Cut the straps off the back half of the bikini.

7. Pin the front strap to the back and the left-over strap 1-2 cm below on the bottom & sew them together.

8. Cut off any excess straps and you’re done!

It would look great with any print or colour, plus it’s an original little spin that will look great on the beach!

Take care,

Are you some of the precious few who have been here, done it, and got the T-shirt? I wanted to show you a method that i haven’t seen on any other crafty fashion blogs, and that is making screw on studs. (Maybe I just haven’t been looking hard enough though.) Screw on studs are great because they take less time, are durable (especially on jersey fabrics,) and are utterly versatile with the right tools. With this simple method I’m showing you today you could go ahead and stud your shoes, belts, caps, jackets and I-don’t-know-whateleses!

It’s such an easy technique I have to keep on telling myself that studding is a subtle art so I better not go crazy! Yes, it’s all about the positioning, so be careful! It’s the last in the series of H&M activites we did at the event 3 weeks ago. What do you think of where I put mine? Let me know if you try it yourself!!

The DIY Studded Shorts How-to

1.You will need : something to stud, screw in studs, a hole punch or something that pierces (Iveline used a pen the other day), and a flat head screw driver, and a phone (optional).

2. Work out where you want the studs to be on your garment and mark it down. I used my phone, you could use a pencil if you’re normal!

3. Working from the middle outwards pierce the hole then add each stud. This avoids having to make holes where you may have a stud in the way. Sometimes you can forget where the hole is so I suggest you stud immediately after making a hole.

4. First push the screw through the hole then twist the top of the stud on tighten the screw with the screw driver holding the stud tight at the front.

And that’s it repeat until the job is done! It took me just under 20 minutes to add detail to my cut offs! Perfect for summer time. I want to start wearing shorts more often! Come on sun! Shine damn you!

Take care,