{PATCHWORK - Buy it or Make it?} Noas' Libellule obsession

You had nearly forgotten my {Buy it or Make it} feature, hadn't you? It has been on my mind for - like - ever, and I never actually managed to sit down and write any {BIMI} since August! That-is-not-good. But we are back on track - at least once a month. The patchwork theme may have looked an easy one to choose, 1) because Elle France (issue 18 Nov) had a feature on it (see 1 in collage), 2) because I stalk a lot of patchwork blogs on the net, and 3) because this is something I actually do. So I tried to make it a bit less 'cushions and throws' (my kind of patchwork) and a bit more fashion (sort of).

1. Elle France feature on patchwork; 2. Alphabet Patchwork Print by RukaRuka at Etsy; 3. Patchwork belt at Beltme.co.uk; 4. Sonia Rykiel Patchwork Dress at Asos; 5. Patchwork Apron at Anthropologie; 6. Esposito shoes at Farfetch; 7. Filkin Cushion at Toast; 8. Isabel Marant shirt at Matches.

(NB: pas d'accents aujourd'hui, clavier QWERTY) .. Voila ma selection patchwork. Comme je le disais en anglais ci-dessus le patchwork c'est mon truc, je fais meme part de mes projets sur mon blog! Donc j'aurai pu vous faire des listes de coussins et autres couvertures a acheter. Mais non, ici on veut du fashion et j'ai surtout eu de la chance que la Poule a petit pas nous ait sorti sa version de la chemise d'Isabel Marant il n'y a pas bien longtemps. Je ne vais pas vous re-ecrire les instructions de la Poule, c'est beaucoup plus marrant de lire ses billets.

{Make it} Well, you have the choice for patchwork. Check out my blogroll on the right-hand side and you will find what you need. But for the 'Homemade' version of the Isabel Marant shirt, you will have to check out one of my favourite French blogs La Poule a petit pas. She used a mix of two Japanese books patterns (you will see the pics on her blog). She mixed different fabrics and sewed all the pieces together before cutting out the patterns. Honestly this is WAY out of my league - but it looks SO much like the real thing I may have to try (or it may stay in my book of ideas for a while)...

Alternatively, as it is soon to be Christmas (you have noticed, haven't you?), I thought that you really needed was a Christmas stocking. Purlbee has a super detailed tutorial for THIS Christmas stocking (and if it came with yarn at my house, I will make more than one!). I reckon you can easily change the patchwork pattern and make it a bit more advanced - if you wanted to show off, for instance..

Pour mon deuxieme {made it} je prepare Noel. Alors avec mon Christmas Stocking selon le tuto de Purlbee, je serai prete a recevoir laines, tissus et autres fournitures pour mes futurs projets... Je veux meme bien en faire plusieurs si on a besoin de plus de place pour mes cadeaux - c'est pas un probleme! Je m'adapte!

So guys, are we ready for some patchwork? Are you inspired or has another patchwork project inspired you? Let me know in your comments, I love seeing your inspirations.

{Spikes and Studs - Buy it or Make it?} Noas' Libellule obsession

No guys, I am not turning into a goth ... but I am really liking the spikes and/or studs trend. I am really into new texture and different ways to upcycle clothes and other objects. Spikes and studs are actually really versatile.

My {Buy It} selction is not your usual spikes and studs. It is not really punk - but clearly inspired by the punk/goth movement - and it goes beyond clothing.

1. I love this bowl made by 42pots available at Etsy; 2. Spiked stretchy ring, F21; 3. Stephen Webster silver stud cuff, Asos; 4. Kenneth Jay Lane Sodalite Necklace, Net-a-Porter; 5. La Mer watch, Asos; 6. Bottega Veneta clutch, Net-a-Porter; 7. Spikes on disc drop earrings, Topshop; 8. Louboutin shoes, Net-a-Porter.

How to make it? C'est classique explains it all, with their great tutorial. To be honest, I think this is the tutorial that can be used for all other projects - it has it all: how to place the studs, how to make the holes etc. All you need is the material, I think that should be easily available from Ebay.

So how can use that tutorial? Here are some ideas...

Revamp your handbag...

Pimp your black boots...

Or my favourite, bling up your jacket..

So what do you reckon, thumbs up or down for this trend? Will you be buying it or making it? have you seen other projects, share them ... I always love to hear from you guys...