Thursday 31 May 2012

How to make an Easy and Fabulous Patchwork Quilt/Duvet Topper Tutorial

easy, patchwork, quilt, duvet, topper,
Finished patchwork quilt/duvet topper

Dear Readers,

You may have read about my first ever DIY which was bright 'Sunshine' patchwork duvet cover tutorial.

After I finished that project, would you believe I still had assorted pieces of fabric leftover from my mum's various projects, so I decided on doing another patchwork duvet/quilt topper.

This one has a more spring/'summer bloom' theme to it.
I think it looks better in real life than the finished pics becasue of how some of the prints reflect light.


Things you will need:
6 types of fabric, ideally 3 plain and 3 printed, ideally to alternate. You can use whatever you have whatever works for you.

The amount you need for each fabric depends on what size quilt topper/ duvet cover you would like to make.

I was making one for a king size duvet cover which is 220cm by 225cm.
The pattern requires us to make a square quilt made up of 13 squares.
So each square will be Size of quilt +1cm/13  in my case 220+1/13 =17cm
17cm should be the finished size of each square. that means leaving a half cm allowance for stitching on each side, you should cut out 18cm squares.

The pattern requires 27 squares of each fabric, thats approximately 100cm *127cm for
Fabric number 6 requires 28 squares, so you'll need a bit more fabric.
You may require extra fabric to make sure the finished quilt covers the bed/duvet, as the square topper is only going to be 221 cm I will add a 5 cm strip to one end, you could add two 2.5 cm to both ends.
Patchwork, squares, pattern, number, spring, summer,

Remember that fabric number 6 will be the most prominent one, according to the pattern, so choose carefully. In my pattern no. 6 is large green leaves with orange flowers print (middle left ), 5 the orange fabric, 4 the smalle green leaves and yellow and organge flowers(top left) 3 the light shaded fabric(bottom right) 2 red and white horizontal stripes, 1-pink background with fine white lines printed it on it.

Other things you will need:
Scissors/ Rotary blade and Cutting board
Ruler/Quilters Square

Chalk
Matching thread. Sewing maching
Iron

Pattern:

6 1 2 3 4 5 6 5 4 3 2 1 6
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 6 5 4 3 2 1
2 3 4 5 6 1 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
3 4 5 6 1 2 3 2 1 6 5 4 3
4 5 6 1 2 3 4 3 2 1 6 5 4
5 6 1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1 6 5
6 1 2 3 4 5 6 5 4 3 2 1 6
5 6 1 2 3 4 5 4 3 2 1 6 5
4 5 6 1 2 3 4 3 2 1 6 5 4
3 4 5 6 1 2 3 2 1 6 5 4 3
2 3 4 5 6 1 2 1 6 5 4 3 2
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 6 5 4 3 2 1
6 1 2 3 4 5 6 5 4 3 2 1 6

Method:
1. Cut out squares of each fabric, make sure you measure properly, otherwise you will be sorry at some point, and then unless you have tonnes of fabric it will be too late to do anything about it.


2. Play around with the fabric, until you can decide which fabric is going to be 1,2,3 and so on.
I would make the darkest/brightest 6, and the lightest 1,and the rest according to how they would look next to each other.


3. Once you have decided which number to assign each fabric, place a sticky note or piece of paper atop each pile so you don't get mixed up.

4. For the first row collect all the squares in the correct order.
Placing the first two squares right sides facing each other stitch together 0.5cm from the edge. Flatten the seam open with your nail. Next open up the two squares, sew on the next square in the same way until all squares in the first row or sewn together. Cut away any lose thread, fold and set aside.

patchwork, duvet, topper ,quilt, pattern, squares


Be accurate in your 0.5cm seams as it will matter later on.
Repeat for all rows.

5. Once you are finished with rows iron the rows and press seams open.

6. Next carefully pin the first and second row together, making sure the intersections/seams of the squares match up. If they don't match you could to open it up and try and tidy up the squares.If it is still don't panic! Don't give up- take a break. At the end of the day, the pattern will be seen from afar, and the mistake won't be that noticable-hopefully. :-)


Stitch together the first two rows, roll up the finished squares of fabric as you go along to prevent it from tugging and pulling what you are currently stitiching.


7. Repeat until you reach the 7th row.
Then start the same procedure from the 8th row till the bottom. This is to reduce the bulk you have handle, and so that you only have to deal with the full bulk of the fabric once.


Stitch the two halves together.



In my case, I needed to attach, a strip of fabric to the edge to make up the extra 5 cm of width.


If you are making a duvet cover like myself, you can simply sew a flat sheet cut to size, to get the back of the quilt.


If you have leftover fabric, you can make pillows, be as creative or as simple as you want.

Enjoy!

Tip: Once you have laundered it, and if you are not going to use it immediately, you could fold the cover, and store it in a pillow case,and any matching bedsheet, and additonal pillow cases, neat and organised storage.


easy, patchwork, quilt, duvet, topper,
Finished patchwork quilt/duvet topper
Monogrammed with a S
Pillowcase front and back
If you have any questions about the above tutorial , feel free to ask in the comments section below

Billboard Music Awards 2012 Fashion Round-up You Simply Must See

Dear Readers,

I am no longer interested in who wins at the numerous music award shows that take place. My main interest is what did they wear? If you are like me and you don't want to spend hours watching award shows but you like to feast your eyes on  the latest trends in gowns and hairstyles well, sit back and relax and enjoy your fashion fix.

I recognised very few people from the pictures a sure sign that I'm getting old, sigh and I like very few of the outfits.

But I think Katy Perry is getting better at dressing up for the red carpet she looks elegant in this lavender Blumarine gown and had her trademark hair dyed a purplish hue.
katy, perry, bmas, 2012, lavender gown



Taylor Swift showed up with straight hair smoky eyes and a red Elie Saab gown, as you know I think she rarely misses the mark, in my opinion anyway. I'm also a big fan of Elie Saab's designs.
taylor swift, bmas 2012

Carrie Underwood was a in a rather fluffy blue concoctionby Oscar de la Renta
carrie underwood, bma 2012
Nelly Furtado ina white crochet beaded dress by Alberta Feretti and sparkling jewels
White dress with a cheeky keyhole neckline
I have to add Miley Cyrus because she only wore a Jean Paul Gaultier blazer, conveniently forgetting to wear anything nothing underneath. The rate she is going the girl is going to be in rehab before she's 25. I wonder why ex-Disney child stars always go berserk when they get older?

Miley Cyrus- I'm the next LiLo, just you wait...


Wednesday 30 May 2012

Cannes Film Fest 2012- 10 Best Dressed Stars

Dear Readers,

Here's my pick of the best dressed from the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.
I've tried to keep the list a bit broad covering international stars, the young and old, the famous and not so famous.

1. Eva Longoria' s Statement Feather train mermaid dress
Eva Longoria, Cannes 2012, Marchesa feather train gown
Eva Longoria in a Marchesa gown


2. Diane Kruger's Liquid metallic gold number by Vivienne Westwood's Gold Label.
Diane Kriger, Cannes 2012, metallics gold dress, vivienne westwood, gold label
and her glam Greek goddess look in a pale green Giambattista Valli gown.
Diane Kruger, Cannes 2012, green dress, grecian, giambattista valli,




3. Najwa's White Lace with Nude Lining Number  by fellow Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad and jewellery by Mouawad. She has recently become the first Arab Ambassador for L’Oréal Paris in the Middle East
Najwa Karam, Zuhair Murad, Mouwad, Cannes 2012


4. Jane Fonda defying her age and dazzling in metallics
Jane Fonda, Atelier Versace, Cannes 2012
Jane Fonda in Atelier Versace

Jane Fonda, Roberto Cavalli, Cannes 2012, sequins
Jane Fonda in Roberto Cavalli


5. Ash rocking her post-pregancy curves in Elie Saab
Aishwairya Rai, Ash, Cannes 2012, Elie Saab, weight gain, weigh loss



6. Nina Dobrev shimmering in Elie Saab
Nina Dobrev, Cannes 2012, Elie Saab, Bulgari jewels, Silver Jimmy CHoos
Nina Dobrec wore an Elie Saab dress, Bulgari jewels, and silver Jimmy Choo ‘Lance’ sandals.


7. Berenice Bejo stunning in red Louis Vuitton gown and Chopard jewellery at the 65th Cannes Film Festival opening ceremony
Berenice Bejo, Bond girl, Cannes 2012, red dress, louis vuitton, chopard jewellery


8.Bérénice Marlohe in Emilio Pucci
Berenice Marlohe,Emilio Pucci, metallic dress, Cannes 2012


9.Naomi Watts in another statement Marchesa gown
Naomi Watts, Marchesa, Cannes 2012, feather dress


10. Salma Hayek looking regal in Gucci
Salma Hayek, Cannes 2012, Gucci





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Monday 28 May 2012

3 Sizzling Arab/Khaleeji Style Make-up Tutorials

Dear Readers,

Are you bored of your usual make-up looks? Do you want to sizzle at the next big party/wedding/special occasion. I suggest you mix things up and try an Arab/Khaleeji style make-up look.

I have added three tutorials by one of my favourite make-up artists pixiwoo.

The first one is  the Arab Khaleeji style make-ip tutorial with a green smoky eye. I've seen Saudi ladies wear this look at weddings and its very dramatic, with lots of va va voom, certainly not for the faint-hearted.  


The second look is a tutorial of how to get Haifa Wehbe's make-up look, she's a popular Arab singer, her look is emulated by many women in the Middle East. 

haifa wehbe


This features different shades of blue for the eye, they eyeliner is slightly more tricky to apply. I think it creates a very glamorous Greek goddess type look.




The final tutorial is also an Arabic/Haifa Wehbe look by pixiwoo but its got less intimidating shades of brown with again quite a toned down pink lip.


Pixiwoo uses a lot of MAC makeup and also a lot MUFE, you don't have use these product if you have similar products/colours from other brands. I'm only starting to use MAC products ever since I started watching these tutorials!  

So try out these Arabic make-up looks, and let me know how they turned out.



Saturday 26 May 2012

5 Fashion Websites That You Must Follow to Stay Fabulous

Dear Readers,

DO you sometimes find yourself in a fashion rut, or do you feel like you need a style makeover?  Do want to know what latest trends are without the trouble of fighting traffic and crowds to hit your local malls? Well, worry no more, I have rounded up the most popular fashion websites so that you can get your fashion fix, along with your coffee first thing in the morning.

Like Helena Rubinstein once said: There are no ugly women- only lazy ones.

Without further ado here are Fab Five:

1. New York Magazine's Fashion Section
Feast your eyes on the latest fashion shows slides, designers' interviews, what's trending on the Hollywood fashion scene with an edgy NY vibe and much much more.
ny magazine. fashion


2. Elle Magazine's very own website
With cute features like 'required reading', 'obsession of the day', and  'street chic', what's not to love about this site.

elle, magazine


3. My favourite fashion magazine InStyle's site simply had to be on the list.
Their Hollywood makeover section is a must see.
instyle, magazine




4.The Anglophile in me couldn't complete the list without at least one British site, and what could be better than Guardian's fashion page. Check out the lates beauty trends at Cannes round up!
guardian, fashion

5. Finally, for number five I have chosen Fashion Magazine, a very colourful site, with an emphasis on hollywood fashion, how to buy the latest trends online and more.

fashion magazine





http://www.fashionmagazine.com/