FEATURE
diy-er 4 life liz mallia
H
ave you heard that diy is the new sex? It isn’t really, but I knew it would get your attention. For many, diy probably evokes images of Dad struggling to put up a shelf, but diy (Do-It-Yourself) can be applied to a much broader field, including cooking, handicrafts, and even fashion design. It usually involves taking the time and effort to do something yourself, like cooking biscuits, rather than taking shortcuts, such as buying biscuits, partly to save money but also for pure enjoyment. diy arts and crafts have been very popular for a few years now. With the rise of websites like Craftster, Chic Steals, and Threadbanger as forums and resources for fellow creators, along with the popularity of costume making and customising, diy seems to have grown increasingly accessible. Blogs like Chic Steals, and Love Megan, and the video tutorials of Secret Life of a Bionerd also contribute to the thriving diy movement, and let’s not forget magazines like Burdastyle and Women’s Weekly, which both have been around for decades, giving guidance and inspiring thousands of diyers. There is certainly no lack of resources for anyone wanting a new hobby or some instructions. So, why diy? Well, according to Threadbanger, diy is cheaper and more environmentally friendly than buying mass produced products. Their projects more often than not use items sourced in charity shops or organic materials. Not only do you recycle and reuse, but you also gain “independence from corporately mass produced c***”, as former Threadbanger host Corinne Leigh puts it. diy is also a great way to stand out from the crowd. Whether you make original designs or imitate designer accessories and clothes, you will be able to create a very unique look for yourself. The ego boost you get from being asked, “That’s so cool-where did you get it?”, and replying, “I made it”, isn’t bad either. You can also use diy to make pocket money. Last December I was commissioned to sew skirts for my sister and her friend for them to wear at their school concert. With a little help and many hours of sewing later, I’d earned myself more money than I would have made for an hour’s work at my old job. The local craft fair Patches and etsy.com are shining examples of the thriving trade one can make from diy arts and crafts. This niche market is also known as indie-fashion, which seems to be thriving abroad with indie labels like From Somewhere Clothing, Gibbous Fashions and Compai, which frequently use recycled materials for their projects. Even costume-designers on films have been known to do so: the designer for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button found vintage items for the principal actors to wear.
As for me, you will often find me searching the Internet for new projects, including researching costumes (especially those designed by Colleen Attwood, who is one of my many idols). diy is a great hobby for me: I can do it from the comfort of my room, it isn’t too expensive, and it’s good to feel that I’m doing something positive for the environment (reusing and recycling means less unwanted clothes and fabrics being thrown out). Want to diy?
1. Find some instructions or tutorials to get you started. I highly recommend Threadbanger, Cut Out + Keep, and Chic Steals, but there are many craft magazines and books available. There are also a number of places in Malta that offer courses, such as the Malta Society of Arts and Commerce.
2. Search for materials in charity shops or car boot sales. You will be surprised at some of the gems you’ll find.
3. Keep a sketchbook with you to jot down your ideas and designs in.
4. Sometimes supermarkets like LIDL stock craft supplies. LIDL occasionally stocks sewing machines (WARNING: get there early, and don’t go alone). It also stocks paints and craft tools.
5. Haberdashers and bazaars are also good places to find inexpensive materials and tools. Such a shop shouldn’t be too hard to find.
6. Keep a diy blog. Your work will get publicity, and it’s a good way of getting to known other diyers.
7. Imagination is the limit. This is corny, but true. There is an almost infinite list of techniques to try: wet-felting, knitting, sewing, crochet, pottery , pottery using polymer clay, beading, filigree, weaving, book-binding, papier-mâché, fashion design, costume design, embroidery, leather-working, millinery, screen-printing, dye and tie-dying, appliqué… I think you get the idea. Liz Mallia can be found at ribcruncher.blogspot.
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