Fashion Fix: How to make a long handled Neon Tote Bag

I love the juxtaposition of classic imagery and neon colour!

Just in case you needed more evidence that this tote fashion fix is brilliant, here is a long handled version.

You will need:

• 1 metre of mid to heavy weight cotton fabric
• sewing machine with complimentary thread
• dressmaking pins
• dressmaking scissors
• neon spray paint
• stencil
• iron
• stencil
• paper and masking tape to mask when spraying

How to do it:

1. Cut two 45cm  tall by 35cm wide panels from the fabric. Make sure the pattern is going the correct direction on both panels. Decide how long you would like your straps, would you like to be able to sling it over your shoulder? if so cut longer strips 6 cm wide.
2. fold the long edges of the strip into the middle and then fold once again hiding all the raw edges. Press and top stitch down either side of the strip. 
3. Repeat for the other strip
4. lay out your bag pieces wrong side up. fold down the top edge of your bag 1cm and press. then fold down 2cm to cover the raw edge. Machine a top stitch in place.
5. Pin the handle pieces to the top  edge of the wrong side of each panel 10 cm from the sides. 
6. machine in place.
7. place the two bag pieces right sides together and pin around the three sides.
8. machine a running stitch, take the pins out.
9. trim the corners,  turn right side out and press.
10. place your stencil in the desired area and mask off the rest of the bag. 
11. In a well ventilated area (and if under 18 with the help of an adult) spray your stencil.
12. Peel away with care almost immediately and leave to dry.

Eva Lazarus Shoot 3

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 This look fell somewhere between the Masai Mara and Grace Jones...

Photos Amanda Thomas, Hair and Makeup Jo Williams, Styling Harriet de Winton

Eva Lazarus Neon Shoot

Here's a sneak peak of a very exciting test shoot I did the other month with some extremely talented ladies. 

To set the scene, I had just designed the Pop-up bar the Blind Tiger in the Bristol Old Vic Basement for Mayfest and we'd gone for a retro futuristic milk bar, complete with light boxes, bad-ass yellow chairs and milk bottles as table lamps.

But these mesmerising light boxes and LED tubes needed another outing, and it just so happened with my mate, photographer Amanda Thomas and make up artist Jo Williams were itching to try out some tricks on a new shoot. Chuck in the beautiful Eva Lazarus as our muse for the day and BOOM.

One of my favourite elements of the shoot has to be the make do and mend aspect, creating a 'Can't get you out of my Head' era Kylie style visor out of red acetate.

Fashion Fix: Back Pack Series - Neon Piping

I've decided to do a series of Back Packs for the summer months, whether you're packing for a festival or just strutting down Brick Lane, you need some serious arm candy.  First in the series, the Neon Piping Pack

 

You will need

• bias binding, enough to edge all the pocket tops
• hand needle and matching thread
• sewing machine
• dressmaking pins
• dressmaking scissors

How to do it

1. Bias binding has pressed in edges that make it easy to follow whilst sewing it on.  
2. Pin the right side of the bias binding to the top side edge of the pocket flap. Start at one end leaving a 1.5cm overhang of binding.  Using the crease of the binding as a guide, sew along the pinned edge using a running stitch. Remove the pins.
3. Using an iron, press either end of the binding (the 1.5cm overhang) inwards to create a neat edge.  Next, still with an iron, press the binding flat and fold under the edge of the pocket flap. Pin.
4. Using a hand needle, sew along the under side of the pocket using a neat slip stitch so that the thread does not show through to the other side of the jacket. Remove the pins.
5. Hand sew up each end to neaten with a small blanket stitch.

BOX OUT – Make your own Bias binding.

1. Mark out strips of cotton 5cm wide, at 45’ angles across your piece of cotton. Cut

2. Sew each strip to the next to make one long length. 

3. Slowly push the cotton strip through a mouse binder and press with an iron as you go.

Types of stitch:

running stitch on the machine

blanket stitch by hand

Fabric and provider

• bias binding from Fabricland
• www.fabricland.co.uk/bristol.htm
• 0117 922 0500

Garment Details:

Black faux leather rucksack from Primark