14/09/2011

DIY/Feather Trim

With all the fash talent on Marketplace, we decided to start a new DIY feature so our boutiques can share some tricks of the trade with y'all. First up is Freia Groves from Phoenix Rising, taking you step by step through how to whack a feather trim on a blazer - perfect for this seasons Cowboys and Indians trend.

Adding a feather trim to a Blazer
By Freia Groves from Phoenix Rising boutique.

1)Start off by taking a vintage jacket or blazer that you'd like to add a new breath of life to (or a new blazer that needs a bit of jazzing up!)


 1)Start off by taking a vintage jacket or blazer that you'd like to add a new breath of life to (or a new blazer that needs a bit of jazzing up!)

2)Next up, you will need:
A selection of feather trims which you can buy per meter that are already sewn onto ribbon. These are available from most haberdashery shops or online (if you're in London New Trimmings, just off Oxford St,  is a good shop which has all different styles).

For this occasion I've chosen to use a small pheasant feather trim and a larger black cockerel trim but feel free to put your creative stamp on your jacket by adding as many or as few as you'd like.  

You will also need:- a pair of scissors, some thread (matching your jacket), hand sewing needle and thimble (if preferred) pins, some vintage or pretty buttons and a tape measure.

A selection of feather trims which you can buy per meter that are already sewn onto ribbon. These are available from most haberdashery shops or online (if you're in London New Trimmings, just off Oxford St, is a good shop which has all different styles).
For this occasion I've chosen to use a small pheasant feather trim and a larger black cockerel trim but feel free to put your creative stamp on your jacket by adding as many or as few as you'd like.

3) Pinning the Feathers.
Once you have all your items together you will need to measure the length of the lapel of your jacket and cut your feather trims to match that length. Now you will need to use your creative eye to layer your feathers however you like. Once you've got your desired look, you will need to pin the ribbon of the feather trim to the under side of your lapel.

Once you have all your items together you will need to measure the length of the lapel of your jacket and cut your feather trims to match that length. Now you will need to use your creative eye to layer your feathers however you like. Once you've got your desired look, you will need to pin the ribbon of the feather trim to the under side of your lapel.

4)Sewing the feathers.

Using your threaded hand needle, you will need to work your way down the lapel using a running stitch (sewing up and down) to secure your feathers into place. Then remove your pins. Useful tip: make sure your stitches are fairly small so you won't be able to see the stitches from the front and also the feathers are nice and secure.

Using your threaded hand needle, you will need to work your way down the lapel using a running stitch (sewing up and down) to secure your feathers into place. Then remove your pins. Useful tip: make sure your stitches are fairly small so you won't be able to see the stitches from the front and also the feathers are nice and secure.

5)Sewing Your Buttons.

Remove previous, dull buttons and add your new vintage ones. I've used some fab gold, chunky ones but use whatever you'd like. There's a great market stall at Portabello Market selling all types of beautiful, vintage buttons throughout the era's. Using your needle and thread, sew your buttons securely into place.

Remove previous, dull buttons and add your new vintage ones. I've used some fab gold, chunky ones but use whatever you'd like. There's a great market stall at Portabello Market selling all types of beautiful, vintage buttons throughout the era's. Using your needle and thread, sew your buttons securely into place.

Remove previous, dull buttons and add your new vintage ones. I've used some fab gold, chunky ones but use whatever you'd like. There's a great market stall at Portabello Market selling all types of beautiful, vintage buttons throughout the era's. Using your needle and thread, sew your buttons securely into place.

And there you have it- a beautiful, unique, en trend jacket which will get all your friends asking you where you got it!


And there you have it- a beautiful, unique, en trend jacket which will get all your friends asking you where you got it!
 And there you have it- a beautiful, unique, en trend jacket which will get all your friends asking you where you got it!  
And there you have it- a beautiful, unique, en trend jacket which will get all your friends asking you where you got it!