//// The black fringe

Posted on | June 5, 2010 | 3 Comments

My DIY:s tend to be simple and not particularly creative. They often evolve around a specific need — like the sheer chiffon skirt / dress I needed for layering purposes — or piece of particular material — or DIY knockoff so simple that it can be created in few hours max.

This time the trigger was an amazing fringe trim I found my neighborhood buttons and trims shop. I have been going there for a while just to see and stroke this amazing stuff, but the price was so steep that I did not want to buy it just in case I would get inspiration one day. The speciality comes purely from the length of the fringes, there is enough centimeters to heal the worst Rapunzel envy complex ever — except that this acetate substitute is raven black.

So I made a simple plan for a plain chiffon dress with fringe layer front and back. Nothing too original, but quite effective. I can layer it over a simple slip and it works as a little black dress — or wear it over a pair of pants or leggings as a tunic. The dress has actually very simple oversized tank shape with identical front and back — I thought that it would be good for the delicate trimming to be able to switch the sides, but goes also displaced when worn quite easily. I don’t care about that, I’m not going to wear this in formal events anyway.

So it was french seams for shoulders and sides, turning the neck and arm holes plus the hem. In this overexposed image you can see a bit of the detail of the fringe:

I’m definitely not a master seamstress but I did try to tackle the challenges of delicate material by hand sewing the turns. It was not 100% success, but after mutilating the fabric with my steam iron the turns look relatively neat. I think that I can live with them. The fringes move so beautifully over the silk chiffon that I’m starting to feel guilty about my lack of dancing skills. The gigantic chandelier earrings are from Lindex and shoes are old Topshop wood wedges.

At my summer holiday I could kick my lazy arse and put little more effort to some project — maybe create something bit more than just useful.

Discussion

Anna-Maria
June 5th, 2010 @ 11:34 pm

Just wow! You’re really a master of DIYs. Love it!
stellagee
June 7th, 2010 @ 9:20 am

i think diy’s are best when simple and, usually, they are rarely original or terribly creative – and there’s nothing wrong with that. the main point is to land with a piece that’s wearable and, as you said it, effective.

and that’s one great dress!
apparellel
June 8th, 2010 @ 2:18 pm

A-MA-ZING! i can’t see the details very well but what i can see is utter perfection. i am so glad you got the fringe and it was well worth it. you are so talented and look stunning to boot!

xxx
t

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About

Location: Helsinki, Finland

Contact: kamicha (a) gmail dot com

I'm especially interested in young designers creations, non-established labels and indie fashion. So if you have something interesting to show, feel free to contact!

You can find Finnish design from both specific and some outfit posts - but both are tagged.

You might be also interested in DIY posts, How-to posts, DIY ideas - or my adventures in Etsy =).

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