20 Instagram Accounts that will Advertise your Handmade Products

Having an Instagram account is a great way to advertise your products but it can take time to build up followers. So would't it be great to tap into someone else large amount of followers. Well here is a list of Instagram account that will feature your handmade products. 

1. Craft Finder

2. Creators Lane

3. Happier Handmade

4. Handmade Revolution

5. Exclusively Handmade

6. Creative Hive Co

7. Etsy Crafternoon

8. Beautiful Things

9. Handmade Loves

10. Handmade Curator

11. Handmade is Better

12. Etsy Gifts

13. Etsy Owl

14. Etsy Buzz

15. Handmade Free Trade

16. Etsy Crafty Fever

17. Etsy Sellers

18. Handmade Exchange

19. Lovable Handmade

20. Fave Handmade 

Fitting a Toile- An Essential Couture Skill

A toile is an essential part of the couture process. The fabrics being used are expensive and there would be no room for error. Making a toile allows you the opportunity to fit and plan the garment before you make it. It would save you damaging the final garment through unpicking.

Furthermore, fitting your toile will mean less time fitting your final garment. The markings on a toile need to be clear and can be marked with pencil or carbon paper. Marking on the waist, hip, bust and centre front and back will help you line up the garment when you are fitting. When taking in excess from the front or back, you must remember to check the side seams are still in the correct position. They can easily be pulled too far forwards or backwards. One way to stop side seams from travelling is to pin them in place, if something is being worn underneath that you can pin to. After the fitting, mark any corrections with coloured pencils. Then the toile can be altered and re-fitted until you are happy to make the final garment.

Dressing like the Peaky Blinders- A Historic Moment in Style

For most 1920's fashion conjures up images of flappers in fringed dresses. But what about the men?

The First World War brought on huge cultural changes with the relaxation of society rules. This did not however change the importance of the suit. A vital part of a man’s wardrobe since the 17th century, though these 20th century suit bare little resemblance to their predecessors, they are still worn by men of every class.

In this age of excess, when it came to men’s suits, the world looked to Saville Row. The tailors that populated the street handcrafted exquisite suits that fitted the customer like a glove. It is these tailors that favour the lounge suit over the morning suit, which leads to the lounge suit being adopted for the next hundred years.

One of the clear distinctions that separates 1920’s suits from other decades is the suit is made from a thick wool or a wool tweed. The jackets also have high lapels and 3 or 4 buttons on either a single or double breasted jacket. The one thing that changed over the decade, was the slim fit jackets became a much more boxy fit. Flap pockets were another characteristic of 1920’s jackets. The colour palate was very simple. Suits would be either brown, blue, grey or green.

Trousers always matched the jacket. They had two pleats at the top of the leg and a sharp crease down the centre. There would be a slit at each side for a pocket and a welt pocket on the back. Trousers would also have a thick cuff at the hem. The one significant change was the silhouette. The decade began with narrow slim fitted trousers and ended with oxford bags.

Draping on the Stand- An Essential Couture Skill

The first step a major fashion house takes in the creation of a couture garment is a the toile. The toile is simply a calico garment. By draping calico on the stand a pattern can be created for a one off couture garment, that will perfectly fit the buyer.

As the name implies, this technique is best used for a soft garment rather than a stiff tailored one. Many Couturier designers, such as Lanvin and Chanel provide the drapers with a drawing. Then the drawing is made into a toile and once the toile is made the designer can critique and make changes.

DIY Infinity Scarf

Winter is coming! Be prepare by starting your crochet infinity scarf now. A very simple crochet project. Simply crochet a large circle to go around your neck. Then use double or single crochet until your infinity scarf is the length you're happy with.  

The Art of Flat Tacking - An Essential Couture Sewing Skill

Alternatively know as basting, this is an essential skill of couture sewing. The term simple means a temporary stitch, that allows you to assemble your garment flatly.

Tacking is often seen as an unnecessary process but taking the time to lay out your fabric and tack together, can  transform your work from average to exquisite. This Elizabethan corset is made up of three layers. A layer of coutil, beige suiting fabric and a layer of lace.

The most basic flat tacking stitch is simply a long running stitch used to hold several layer of fabric together. This can be anchored with either a back stitch or a simple knot. Cotton is the best thread for tacking as it will snap much easier than poly-cotton. Making your life much easier as you remove your temporary stitching.

The Easy Crochet Phone Case

A really simple DIY project for you at home. All you need to know prior to this tutorial is how to crochet a rectangle. I choose to use the lemon peel stitch because of the great texture it creates but double and single crochet would work too. No matter what stitch you use, you need to have a rectangle the same length as your phone and 2 1/2 time its width to make the purse.

Lemon Peel Stitch

1. Chain a odd number to stitches (this chain should be the same length as your phone).

2. Do a single crochet in the second stitch of your chain. 

3. Go through the same hole and do a double crochet on top of the single crochet.

4. Miss a stitch and move on to the 4th stitch in the chain. Repeat the process before by doing a single crochet and a double on top.

The Phone Case

1. In the middle of the last row you crochet, chain 4 stitches instead of doing single and double crochets. This will make the loop for you button to go through.

2. Fold your rectangle into its purse shape. When you are happy with it sew the sides together with a stab stitch.

3. Sew on a button.

Now you phone case is ready for your phone.