INSPIRATION: Weave

Necklace/dress/metal bracelet/friendship bracelet/multicolour chunky chain bracelet/hair/sandals/bag

Hello everyone! So here it is. The theme for the next couple of weeks. Weave. I've decided to extend the time we dedicate to each theme so I can really explore a variety of styles and do more DIY tutorials. I'm already worried it's not enough time for fitting everything based on this theme in, but here we go. I'll do my best!

So, to really put an end geometric week we need to announce the winner of the competition. Drum roll please................

Molly S Lester. You've won the ring mandrel and wire coils.

I hope everyone is well, and I'll be back tomorrow. See you then, Fran xx

Just one last Geometric post

Hi everyone. I'm dead excited cause I've just watched Mo Farah win his second gold medal! I'm absolutely gutted it's all over tomorrow, but at least I've still got plenty to catch up on... the Olympics live on... well, in my bedroom anyway...

Back to business then. As promised here are some of the other geometric makes from the past two weeks. We're starting our new theme tomorrow and I'm already loving it! Come back then to find out more. I'll also be announcing the competition winner. If you haven't already entered you can find out how easy it is here. You still have time!
Hope your all having a great weekend. Fran xx

Adventures in:

Hello, how's it going? I wanted to show you a skirt I have customised for Geometric week. To make this skirt iron a fusible interfacing (preferably the same colour as your fabric) to the inside of your skirt. Draw your design onto the interfacing and when your happy cut the pattern out. Easy as that. Quick Tip: Try to keep your shapes pointing down as the fabric will drape that way.

We'll be showing you the rest of our geometric makes tomorrow, so keep those eyes peeled. Fran x

Tutorial Tuesday: FREE PRINTABLE GEOMETRIC PATTERN

Shrink plastic is perfect for geometric designs. The glossy, manufactured look is perfect for the kind of industrial feel you get with repetitive lineal patterns. I've made three variations of the same necklace using different types of shrink plastic, but I would love to make this in a hundred different ways/colours/effects. You're really only limited by your own imagination!

Follow the link below to access the free PDF to create this design. Make sure the design is set to 100% and that you check the "actual size" box on the print options screen (as shown below).

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B2ENgNHp0AT0dU9VSk9ZdUdWcGs

1. Print out the required pattern. 2. Using masking tape secure the pattern to the shrink plastic. 3. Carefully cut out the design using a ruler (don't cut your fingers off!!). 4. Remove the paper stencil and "cook" in the oven following the instructions on the packets. It usually takes just a few minutes. 5. Whilst cooling flatten the plastic between hard, flat objects (such as wooden blocks) to make sure it stays nice and flat. 6. Attach to a chain using a large jump ring.

Et Voila! Perfect geometric charm for any outfit!

INSPIRATION: Geometric

Buttons / Tshirt / Purse / Shorts / Necklace / Wellies / Bracelet / Dress

It's geometric week. We've got loads of tutorials planned for this feature. Jewellery plays a big part splashing colour to a pattern focused look. I'm looking forward to using a range of natural and synthetic materials to create harder and softer styles. oh yeah, and we have our first competition coming up tomorrow! Fran xx

Adventures in:

Shorts: Submerged in water then dipped in bleach over night. After rinsing thoroughly dip into dye and leave 1 inch submerged for half an hour. Fill an old spray bottle with bleach and spray around the top of the bleach/dye.

Tshirt/bra/leggings/vest: Take an old grey/black/navy cotton tshirt/coloured bra/denim look leggings/coloured vest. Twist into a ball and secure with two elastic bands. Submerge in bleach over night. Cut of the elastic bands, rinse with water and wash.

Denim Shirt: Dampen a denim shirt. Use an old spray bottle to spray bleach onto the bottom half of the shirt and sleeves. Rinse and wash.

INSPIRATION: TIE DYE

1. Dress  2. Jumper  3. Sunglasses  4. Trousers  5. Sandals  6. Shorts

Tie dye has been a summer long trend that has mostly used bright colours and defined pattern. Moving into the autumn/winter seasons the colours are much more defused and darker and the pattern has become subtle.

Over the next week Teahab and Checkmybox will be delving into the world of tie/dip dye to bring you lots of ideas and DIY's to do at home.

How to wear >>the midi skirt<<

When it comes to buying vintage in Birmingham you can't beat popping just out of the city centre and perusing the delights Digbeth has to offer. Luckily working in Digbeth means me and Hannah can easily have a quick rummage on our way back from running errands or whilst on a break. One of my favourites is a second-hand bits and bobs type shop that sells all kinds of furniture, clothes and anything else they can get their hands on. I like it here because it doesn't market itself as a "vintage" shop, so you can get some really great finds for just a few pounds. One section we've had our eye on recently is the skirt rail. Each of the skirts we're wearing below cost only £1! And we've tried to style them in different ways to inspire you to midi up!

(if we look a little confused it's because both me and Hannah are much more comfortable on the other side of the camera, but we're getting used to it!) Thanks for reading, Fran and Hannah xx

Tutorial Tuesday

1. Cut 4 pieces of wire to the dimensions shown

2. Turn a loop at one end of the longest wire and make a triangle with 5 cm sides.

11 cm wire = triangle with 3 cm side

8 cm wire = triangle with 1.5 cm sides

4 cm wire = triangle with 0.8 cm sides

Make sure the beginning and the end of the wire are positioned on one side of the triangle and not at the corners!

3. Trim the ends and hammer flat. This helps the wire keep its shape.

4. Attach the triangles together with jump rings from largest to smallest.

5. Using the ready made chain, cut 8cm of chain from each side of the clasp and attach these to the bottom ends of the triangles with jump rings.

6. Cut 10cm from the remaining chain and attach both ends of this piece to the top loop.

Your hand harness is ready!

Tutorial Tuesday

1. Cut lengths of 30cm colourful cotton threads, as many as you like.

2. Glue one end of each of the threads to make it easier to thread the crimps and beads.

3. Use crimping pliers or flat pliers to squash the crimps onto the cotton.

4. When using the crimping pliers squash with the ridged section first, then fold over with the oval section.

5. Leave at least 8 cm from the end of the cord to the first crimp.

6. Put your beads in between the crimps, 1 for dot, 2 for dash

7. Make sure you leave another 8 cm at the other end of the cotton thread.

8. Build up the strands with different placements or by just using crimps.

9. When you've finished all the strands, thread through a bead with a large hole and knot or crimp to secure in place.

10. Take another 30 cm strip and knot over both ends.

11. Continue to knot both cords, keeping the knots to one side.

12. Cut the cord short and use a thin object to tuck the end of the cotton underneath the other knots.

Tutorial Tuesday

Double Arrow Earring Tutorial

Here Comes the Spring

More Making.

The whole point of teahab is to be making useful, beautiful and contemporary clothes, accessories and furnishings that give you a sense of achievement and satisfaction. Although I've really enjoyed the design aspect of building up teahab online, I've been so busy with building websites and creating my blog that I have hardly had time to make anything!

At the same time I've neglected to make time to look after myself. After seeing the photos of the workshops on Sunday I could see that I'm looking a little worse for wear. So I've decided to combine the two things, and make myself a much needed wardrobe update for spring, and while I'm at it remember to spend a little time on myself.

Let me explain these a little bit:

1. I've been annoying just about everyone I know with talk about "my bike", the one I have not purchased yet, but am in love with. I've saved up and I have planned my route to work, but I haven't purchased it yet because I'm scared. I used to ride my bike everyday, but that was a long time ago, and now I'm worried about the roads and falling off! I know this is very silly so I'm going to bite the bullet and do it... in the next few days...                       Isn't she a beaut!
2. I'm in hair limbo at the moment. It doesn't look great, but I can live with it so I'm reluctant to do something new. I used to be very outgoing with my hair always knowing that it will grow out, and generally I was happy with it. It's only recently I've become a bit precious about it.. I want to go back to the experiments and to the new.
3. I want to make at least 1 thing a week, but I'll start myself off slowly. I'm not giving away too much on this resolution yet. You'll have to keep an eye on teahab for updates.