More needle-work on denim adventures

Lately I've been thinking that just posting pictures of my outfits doesn't really define my idea of what this blog should be. I mean of course I want to post pictures of outfits that I really like but let's face it, most of them are going to involve cut-offs and ripped tees, instead of being repetitive I want to share things that I really really inpire me. One of the things that seriously makes me want to decorate my surroundings plus myself is hand-embroidery/ needle-work, there is just something about colourful sewn designs that makes me go aah! I gotta have it!

Also I got a couple of very sweet emails from some of you asking me for photos of the process and DIY needle work tips instead of just putting pictures of my completed designs. So here goes, now for this particular DIY, the idea was to stitch a patch on my denim vest but the fabric is so thick that I broke a couple of needles trying to poke it into submission. So before I did more damage a decision was taken to try my hand at a denim shirt, I have heaps lying around and they make the most wonderful layering pieces in the colder seasons. Since I am documenting this here, I wanted to challenge myself; therefore instead of just using a combination of stitches that I already know I decided to learn one online and then use it to make my shirt pretty. I will share the tutorial that best helps me learn my chosen style instead of making a repeat tutorial. My chosen art form is Kutchi embroidery.

Kutch is a part of the desert in Western India where the artisans sew intricate colourful designs on fabrics that adorn various people and objects. I have wanted to learn this method forever and I just hope I am half as good as the local artisans. It seems like an elaborate process of first making a grid and then interlacing the grid to form an absolutely beautiful design but as I found it isn't as hard as I first thought it was. Here go the pictures of the shirt in different stages of the process as well as the link to the tutorial that I used to learn the Kutchi border design. Please excuse the pencil drawings you can see on the shirt, I haven't washed it yet, scared to put it in the wash for the fear of the mirrors falling off and also I was excited to take pictures and post them. In case any of you decide to try this DIY send me pictures of your endeavours.

In which I wear a Shiva tee-shirt and prance on rocks

So we've been having a few really nice summer evenings lately, on such days nothing says fun more than making my way to a little beach and have a play date with the boy. This tee-shirt was one of the things that I got for him from my trip to India and since he doesn't seem to wear it much, it has become my latest fave. I mean its not like I am taking gifts back or anything, he has worn it maybe twice in five months and I am just borrowing it (or that is what I tell myself and him). And anyway falling in love with gifts that I have given and demanding them back and throwing tantrums if I don't get them back is a favour I seem to reserve solely for my sister!

Back to the tee-shirt, its batik, its got Shiva on it and is suitably oversized, I mean what's there not to love? Shiva is basically one of my favourite Hindu Gods after all the butt kicking, head chopping, demon killing Goddeses ofcourse. If only the place of women in the Indian society was as respectful as the Goddeses we revere, I would be a happy little person. But since clearly that's not the case, my imagination will have to conjure images of scum killing Goddeses for company. I have been trying to draw a rad Goddess/ super heroine on a tie-dye tee-shirt but that adventure is for another blog post. Have a wonderful mid-week everyone!

Shiva tee-shirt: Janpath, New-Delhi, Suede boots: Witchery, Bag: Vintage

I love old clothes aka size does not matter

Leather shorts+tee-shirts: Vintage, Floral skirt: One tea-spoon, Doc Martens

Hi! My name is Tanaya and I love man repelling clothing. The loose leather shorts in the first few pictures, the super old, almost falling apart Metallica tee-shirt plus the over-sized Doc Martens in the last two pictures are things that I love love love and refuse to stop wearing. I have been told quite often lately by well-meaning people that they fail to understand why I want to look ugly when I can look heaps better by wearing tighter more well-fitting clothes. Hmmm! And on one occasion even that I don't need to hide my body since I am skinny, which made my blood boil. So if a person is a little over the size that is deemed appropriate by heaven knows who, one is banned from wearing fitted clothes? Seriously SERIOUSLY???!!!

As you can imagine that statement led to a pretty passionate discussion which thankfully for you won't result in a rant here. But basically I just want to say if as a size zero girl I am happy wearing oversize clothes its my perogative, if I don't want to balance said oversize item of clothing with more fitted little friends again my business, if I want to wear head to toe ill fitting garments, again completely my choice and the phrase age-appropriate makes me want to hurl things. I respect people's right to express or not express their individuality through apparel they don and I am fiercely protective of that right for myself. So all in all clothes that hang off my frame are fun, Docs that are a size bigger so I don't have to break them in are awesome (even if they look comical according to some), loose/old clothes that make me feel like I am wearing sweats are wonderful and above all playing with size and proportions is pretty darn entertaining. More people should try it. What are your thoughts on the topic?

P.S. I received my first letter addressed to Mademoiselle Tanaya today. How fun is that? And the sun's back out (for now) and my tooth is much better, thank you for your kind comments on my last post.