Acid Angel

Okay here is where I will post all my DIY projects no matter how big or small lol so check it out monthly for a new project! Ill try to keep up one post a month for DIY I can at least promise that.

                                                     Making A Fishnet Shirt 

You can use cheap tights for this, but they will fuzz up very quickly. {Note: I don't recommend buying things other than tights, small accessories, and clearace items here as the quality is usually dodgy at best.} If you want fishnet tights, for this or especially for you legs, I highly recommend going to a dance shop and picking up some Danceskin tights. I've had pairs of these last through heavy wearing and regular washing for close to 5 years without sagging, major holes or any fuzzing! They cost more, but they are definately worth it even if you are on a budget.

The thing to remember here is that fishnet stretches, and stretches even more when cut, especially on cheaper tights. Always make your holes much smaller than you think you need. You can always cut more but once you have oversnipped, you've got a ruined pair of tights. Take the fishnet tights and lay them as in {FIG. 1} cut a very small hole, no bigger than an inch across in the crotch as in the picture. (Yes I know it looks perverse, stop giggling.)
Fig. 1

Now pull them on, putting your head through the hole you just made. You may need to make the hole a bit bigger but be very conservative with your cutting. At this point you have to make holes for your fingers. I usually get tights that are small enough to fit my arms snugly so I can just sip a few threads to put my fingers through. If the legs are too long you may have to hack the feet off and finish the edges by turning them under and stitching, or just by letting the rough cut edge do it's thing.

You can also do this with opaque tights, but very sheer or coloured ones can look tacky, especially if they have runs in them. Lace tights can look really good worn as a shirt if they are finished well, and look a bit more classy than fishnet. Again, use your best judgment, be objective and if you are unsure get a second opinion. Remember you are going for an overalleffect, the pieces you are wearing should work together in order to form your look. You want something that holds together as an outfit rather then just some neat stuff thrown together.

                                                         Bead Necklaces

One of the things that I’m proud of… fashion wise… is my jewelry collection; much of which I have made myself. Most of what I wear are strands of beads, some with charms hanging from them, and others just wrapped around several times and layered. I prefer to use faceted Czech crystal in blood red and black ‘jet’, but you can use this with most any type of beads.

I am very hard on my jewelry, and have to make sure it isn’t so fragile that it will break while I’m dancing, or just being clumsy. The way I ensure this is by restringing every strand of beads I wear, and putting a knot between each bead… so that if it does break… I’ll only risk loosing one or two rather than destroying a beloved piece in a shower of sparkly little bastards that will run everywhere.

I suggest restringing all strands of beads this way, not only does the knotting provide some insurance but it also makes the string of beads longer and it looks more antique {you’ll notice most very old strings of beads are knotted}. Use the thickest waxed cord that will go through the beads in question, {dental floss will do, but for gothly purposes I suggest getting black waxed cord from a local craft store}. Cut a length of cord ample to restring the beads with knots, I usually find 2 ½ times the length of the original strand of beads is sufficient. Make a small knot at one end leaving about 2-3 inches extra, to be tied to the other end or to a clasp when finished. Thread the first bead all the way down, make a small knot immediately after this bead.

This is the tricky part, and I have used various techniques myself. Honestly you will have to experiment to find a way that is comfortable for you. The idea is to sandwich the bead between the two knots as tightly as possible. I usually tie the knot close to the bead and then tighten it by pushing it toward the bead till it is tight, then pulling on the cord to tighten it further. Practice this until there is little or no cord showing between the knots and the bead.

It is very time consuming and tedious, but for looks and endurance this is well worth your time.