Quaint as folk - a quick DIY tutorial for making fringed shoes

Put some swish in your step with a touch of fringing.

You will need...

Tip: use a scalpel with a fresh blade, as it's likely to be at its sharpest.

Not pictured

T-strap sandals

Difficulty

Very easy

In the interests of safety, it helps to be dexterous with a scalpel and glue gun. However, this is basically an easy, straightforward, what-you-see-is-what-you-get project.

Time

About an hour.

Get your fringe on

Decide on a design and cut out the shapes you want to use, making sure they're symmetrical and consistent on both shoes.

Cut the shapes into fringing with slits about 2mm apart (eyeball it!).

Glue the pieces on top of one another, then stick them underneath the t-straps.

It really is that simple!

Wedge of glory - How to DIY a Jimmy Choo Notion Tricolor Wedge Sandal

Unfortunately, owing to technical difficulties and lack of hours at my disposal I've been unable to upload the video tutorial for the DIY that these beauties inspired:

Jimmy Choo Notion Tricolor Wedge Sandal (see more brown sandals)

Tune in soon to find out what a pair of platform sandals and some faux wood adhesive paper have in common (clue: the following picture).

Brooch the subject - How to DIY a Prada floral crystal brooch

Blooming brilliance to brighten up any outfit.

brooch the subject by chiccheat on Polyvore

You will need...

N.B. You want the PVC to be as thick as possible.

Difficulty

Easy

While it helps to be dexterous with a scalpel on PVC, this is one of my quicker, more straightforward tutorials. Whoever said you can't get the look of vibrant opulence without keeping it simple?

Time

About 2 hours.

Badge it up

Use this template (simply copy, paste and print it)...

...to trace a flower shape into both pieces of PVC and cut them out with a scalpel.

Punch holes where you want the ends of your brooch clasp to go on the top layer. Decide where you want the bottom layer to go, place it underneath so that it overlaps but is not completely covered by the top layer, mark where the holes should go to match the top layer, remove the bottom layer and punch the holes.

Paint over the two flowers with clear nail polish or resin to harden and thicken the material.

Stick the two layers together with craft mount, making sure the holes are aligned. Undo the clasp on the brooch and put the two ends through each hole - you might need to widen the holes with the scalpel and coax the two ends through. Fasten the brooch.

Not another hanging branch clothes rail tutorial!

Branching out into DIY rustic chic.
For those of you who have wondered where I've been of late I'm now ready to break my silence on why things have been so quiet over the past month. My recent move has been a roadblock-ridden, time-consuming nightmare (though I fancy I've become quite the expert on wall fixtures and light fittings in the process) but undeniably worth it in my fabulous new 19th century maisonette flat.

I thought I'd share my method because,  while my imagination was captured by the rustic DIY hanging branch idea, I struggled to find a tutorial that gave the specifics, like the type of rope you needed (although I found plenty that used chain), so after consulting with my trusted sources, I thought I'd share the experience so that you too can get the look. For the branch, I'd recommend whitewash paint. I also threw in a few sprinklings of Fimo gold powder.

Expect many a home DIY project to come your way, as well as my usual fashion fare. In the meantime, I'll leave you with some other details from my glamorous new pad.

A photo posted by Charley H (@chiccheatcharley) on Oct 26, 2015 at 3:38pm PDT

A photo posted by Charley H (@chiccheatcharley) on Oct 17, 2015 at 5:45am PDT

A photo posted by Charley H (@chiccheatcharley) on Oct 25, 2015 at 2:48pm PDT

A photo posted by Charley H (@chiccheatcharley) on Oct 24, 2015 at 5:58pm PDT

A photo posted by Charley H (@chiccheatcharley) on Oct 17, 2015 at 10:20am PDT

A photo posted by Charley H (@chiccheatcharley) on Oct 17, 2015 at 9:33am PDT

A photo posted by Charley H (@chiccheatcharley) on Oct 17, 2015 at 5:49am PDT

The Trends on Thursday - How to upcycle a blouse 'cold-shoulder-style'

What springs to mind when one thinks of shoulder-centred fashion? The distinctive padded power-dressing silhouette? Military chic epaulettes? Bare-shouldered bandeau tops or Bardot necklines? Well, this season takes a less-is-more approach with the current cold shoulder cut, hence the inspiration behind this quick, simple DIY fix for making a tired old blouse or top on trend for 2015-2016. Here's to hoping shoulder patchwork is the next seasonal trend so your new creations can be brought up to speed once again in the near future!

What to make of the Spring 2016 Paris Fashion Week shows

The final stop of the top fashion capitals didn't disappoint in the DIY inspiration department.

Paris, where fashion's wildest dreams are famously woven gave me plenty of inspiration for my wardrobe and workshop alike - so much so that I came up with not one, not even two but three collages of DIY ideas.

First stop was at Chanel which, while it's usually among the most high-profile and talked about shows at Paris Fashion Week, this time it excelled itself in craft-worthy ideas to the point where I had to make my own DIY collage.
Elsewhere, there was plenty to work with in the way of DIY and customising ideas including dramatic lace trims at Dior and Céline, sumptuous satin bows at Lanvin, African beading and fringing at Valentino and - my personal favourite - floral cross-stitched wellies at Saint Laurent (festival season's sadly over for this year but as a sure-fire statement to get ahead of the curve for next festival season, you can't get the cross stitch kits and craft mount out too soon).
If DIY isn't your idea of fun - perchance the very sight of a sewing machine fills you with dread - there's still plenty to choose from to get the Paris Spring 2016 look, from brooches at Chanel (again) and Loewe to beady belts (i.e. a new lease of life for an old or second-hand necklace). Also, brace yourselves for some cascading cobra chain coming to many a fashionable wrist near you if the editorial endorsement of Loewe's bracelets is anything to go by for next season.

So there you have it - PFW projects for every occasion and ability level. What would you make of it all?

The Trends on Thursday - what to make of the Spring/Summer 2016 fashion weeks

Apologies again for going quiet on you. The horrific teething problems of moving into a bought flat (which included dealing with the most incompetent internet service provider on the planet) have once again got the better of me and so sadly all I have to share as of yet are some DIY ideas from the looks at London and Milan fashion week that have inspired me the most so far.