How to put side panels in a top

Hi guys!

Do you ever find that you have a top that is nice, but, well, a bit meh. Why don't you put some side panels in! These make the top look more individual and bright, as well as it being much cuter, especially if you use a contrasting colour or fabric.  Another good thing is that they are really easy to put in. So let's get started.

You will need:

- one t-shirt in need of brightening

- some other fabric

- a ruler

- pins

- scissors

- a sewing machine or needle and thread

1) Cut out a strip of the T- shirt on the side that you want to remove. Cut all the way from top to bottom. Then cut out a strip of fabric the same width and length as the strip of the T-shirt. Pin the two front sides together. Do this for the other side as well.

2) Sew the fabric and top together, taking out pins as you go. Hem the top and the bottom of the fabric strip. Then sew the top and fabric together along all three other seams.

Now you have finished putting the side panels in your top, so go out, wear it and be happy. ; )

By Annie

Chevron stripe friendship bracelet

Hi guys!

Sorry we haven't posted is aggeess but it has been exams so we have been studying and super busy. Fortunately exams are over now, so summer can really begin, amirite? Anyway, to kickstart our summer theme I'm teaching you how to make a chevron stripe friendship bracelet. You proably made a load of similar ones in year four or something, but freindship bracelets are really in style now, so why don't you exchange a few with your best mates?

You will need:

Two colours of string

A clipboard

 

1) cut two pieces of string from each colour. Make these pretty long as they will be folded in half. Fold them, then tie a knot near the top. Put the string in a clipboard for easy knotting, or fasten using a safety pin to your trousers. Arrange so the colours are alternating.

2) We will be using the same knot as in my earlier friendship bracelet tutorial (see below). Get the left most strand and cross it over the strand next to it, then bring it under that strand, and pull tight to the top. Repeat this another time on that strand. Continue doing two knots using the same knotting thread for each strand of thread working left to right until you get to the middle.

3) Then grab the rightmost strand, and do the same knot as above twice. Work from right to left until you get to the middle also. Knot the two middle strands together. They should be the same colour.

4) repeat steps 2-3, each time using the outermost thread. It should alternate colours. This will make the chevron pattern.

5) when finished, knot the threads, then tie the end through the beginning loop aroung your wrist.

When you have mastered this pattern, try this tutorial. It's a little more difficult:

http://honestlywtf.com/diy/diy-heart-friendship-bracelet/

By Annie