How To

Fashion Tips

On this page Sue Locke provides ten tips on how you can use your sewing skills to absorb the latest trends into your wardrobe

1 BAND OF GOLD

Add a touch of glitz and glamour to a plain skirt this summer and echo a catwalk favourite -gold. Using a 10 cm (4") strip of gold coloured ribbon stitch it along the lower edge of a plain skirt. Alternatively use gold fabric remembering to neaten the seams before you stitch them in place.

2 SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Spots are another designer favourite this year. Take just 18 cm of 90 cm (7" x 36") wide spotted fabric. Neaten all the raw edges.  Position the spotted strip under the collar of a plain blouse and tie an enormous bow at the front.

3 A GOOD CROP

Short jackets are the perfect partner for all those wide skirts that we'll be seeing this summer. If you have a discarded swing jacket cut it so that the finished hem sits just below your waistline and give the sleeves a more stylish finish by making them three-quarter length.

4 A FLORAL TRIBUTE

Embrace the current look of bringing two floral prints together by first selecting a simple pattern – a tunic top or kaftan are ideal. Draw a straight line just below your bust line on the front pattern piece from underarm to underarm, then cut along this line. Pin the 2 pattern pieces on different fabrics and cut out, remembering to add seam allowances, then stitch the pieces together. Continue assembling the rest of the garment as the pattern instructs.

5 IN YOUR CLUTCHES

The clutch is the most popular accessory this summer and yet you can add a designer finish with colour-matched rhinestones for a few pounds. Take a plain clutch and working with the proportions of the bag create your own design on a piece of paper. Using chalk mark the design on your bag and then glue stones in place.

TIP OF THE MONTH ... TIP OF THE MONTH... TIP OF THE MONTH... TIP OF THE

6 JUMP TO IT

Stella McCartney has created a storm with her floral jumpsuits but they are not the most convenient garments to wear. Cheat by making some floral trousers and matching camisole and hide the waistband with a colourful leather belt.

7 IN THE BAG

It's hard to get away from prints this year and if you feel you want to stay with plain fabrics you might like to add that colour to a bag instead. Scout out the remnant basket in your local furnishing store and you'll find wonderful pieces of printed curtain material that will make a strong and distinctive looking tote.

8 PICK POCKETS

Tired looking trousers and long skirts can be revived with over-sized pockets made in a contrasting colour. Make your own pattern scaling the pockets as large as you dare but you should be able to fit your whole hand inside them. Position them so that you can touch your thighs with your fingertips. 

9 FEET FIRST

Simple canvas shoes are inexpensive and a perfect backdrop for your creativity. How about covering them with silver or gold glitter using fabric glue that will dry clear, and finishing them with a colour-matched ribbon bow.

10 UNDER COVER

Love the fit of your lingerie but find it rather plain then make your own designer sets. Fuse lightweight interfacing to a small piece of floral cotton.  Cut out the flower shapes and handsew them to the side edges of a plain bra and along the top edge of plain pants.

Artwork by Simon Bishopp, tel: 028 708 69253.