So quite a while ago, in fact I think it was almost 2 years ago, I wrote a tutorial on how to make an usamimi. I’m still loving them all of this time later so I thought I would rework the tutorial and show you and even easier way to do it.
This is what you’ll end up with…
What you need:
Fabric
Needle and thread or sewing machine
Wire
First thing you need to do is work out how long you want the usamimi to be and cut a rectangle of fabric to that size. Fold it in half on the long side (so it’s very thin and long) and cut the ends into slightly curved points. The photo below shows what the points should look like unfolded.
This is what you should end up with, two points on each end.
Fold it so the good side of the fabric is on the inside and start stitching at the crease. Go up to the point:
And back down the other side.
Continue stitching all the way down the side until you reach the end of the other point.
Tie off the thread and leave the other end of the point open.
Turn the whole thing inside out through the hole at the point.
If you need to, use something pointy like a pen to help push it all through.
You should have something along these lines:
Cut a length of wire a few inches longer than the fabric is point to point. Fold one end of the over and twist so it forms a loop. This will prevent it from poking through the stitching on the other side. Push the piece of wire into the usamimi through the hole and all the way to the other point.
In the other tutorial I wrote the wire was stitched around the outside of the fabric, that works best if you have very thin wire, this technique works best if you have thicker wire.
Once the wire is all the way in, twist the other end in a loop too.
Fold the edges of the hole under and hand stitch it completely shut.
Test it out by twisting it together and you’re good to go 😀
Very simple to do and super quick if you do them on the sewing machine too. If your fabric is very puffy you might like to topstitch the sides to flatten it a bit but I actually prefer the puffiness.
Hope you guys enjoyed, there’s a video version of this coming soon too!
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I went to a trial event of Bare Minerals foundation a while ago, here’s a video of it being applied to me:
We were all given a pack to take home with us and try. I used the lightest foundation daily for several months and found it to be quite nice. I couldn’t use it on it’s own because it dried out my skin too much.
It went very well over the top of other foundation though so I used it as a matt finishing powder. Very nice for that and I would continue using it in that purpose but as a foundation by itself it dried my skin out too much. The coverage was medium and I couldn’t completely get rid of my freckles even though it’s advertised as being able to cover all kinds of skin defects etc.
The biggest disappointment for me was the brushes. The first time I used them there was a massive amount of bristle fall out as you can see below…
Even after several uses I was constantly cleaning them off my table so I’m not sure if I just got a dud or whether they are all of this quality.
Overall I really did like the foundation and continue to use it now, just not by itself.
Would I buy Bare Minerals Escentuals again: I would buy the foundation again definitely but not in a kit like this as I don’t have use for the brushes or extra shades. I would suggest getting matched for colour in store and then trailing to see if this works well with your skin before purchasing.
Disclaimer: All reviews are my honest opinions whether product was provided for review or bought. I am not an expert, just a girl who likes beauty products. Click here to read about my personal preferences or for more information on “Currently Using” mini review posts. Click here for my Editorial and Ethics Policy.
This is a new kind of video I’m trying out: art! Over the holidays I got back into watercolours after several years or not painting at all so I’m practising by making these videos.
This is a painting I did of Vocaloid Hatsune Miku. I have just discovered the world of vocaloids and am quite intrigued by it. I’m not particularly happy with the resulting painting but it was great to practice on a new character. My knowledge of Miku and the other vocaloids is fairly limited at the moment but I’m looking forward to learning more!
Next painting video will be another blogging friend: Nessbow so look out for that one soon!
See the full post here for more information: TBA
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A blog and Youtube channel about a girl and her quest to make everything sparkle. New craft, hair and beauty tutorials every week!
Violet LeBeaux spends most of her time trying to think of ways to make life prettier, posting said ways on her blog and drinking very strong tea. She writes about big hair cute things, girly fashion, beauty finds, sometimes Hime Gyaru fashion (姫ギャル) and crafty tutorials.
She lives with her adorable boyfriend Jimmy, fluffy puppy Miss Lottie and Bergamot Bunny in Melbourne, Australia.
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Music: Garageband unless otherwise credited
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Hatsune Miku Speed Painting Instructions
Time for another speed painting video.
Today I was inspired by Vocaloid Hatsune Miku.
I have only just discovered the world of Vocaloids so I couldn’t help but be inspired to paint something.
The rest wasn’t one of my best pieces but it was a lot of fun to do.
Hope you enjoy.
The finished product!
First off I started with a sketch!
I transfered the sketch to the watercolour paper roughly.
Then filled in the details with a light yellow.
Next I started outlining in a bright green.
I find the idea of vocaloids really intriguing.
Computerised pop stars are such a fun idea.
I flooded the hair with a green wash.
The idea of live shows with them is very interesting too.
Then lightly washed over her clothes too.
Next was a wash on the skin.
After that I shaded the skin.
I added detail and fabric to the shirt using a darker black.
Black shadows on the clothes leaving a highlight.
The songs I’ve heard so far are really cute too.
Filling in even darker areas.
Very dark shadows on the clothes now.
Do you guys have a favorite vocaloid character?
Next was adding brighter green to the hair.
The designs are all so colourful which makes them fun to draw!
And all of the clothing detail.
Small details of the face next and light colour to the eyes.
Time to work on the background.
Big green spots everywhere.
Then slight shadow on them.
Then filling the rest with a yellow and green wash.
I’m still so out of practice with painting but doing this videos is motivating me.
Painting characters like this is fun practice.
Starting to come together!
Outlining everything in black now.
You could do this with pen too if you like.
I’m stocking up on cheap pens with all the back to school sales.
The hair was an area I wasn’t completely happy with.
It was a little too curved in the end.
Don’t forget if you have video suggestions let me know in the comments!
I love trying out new styles!
To give the background some more detail I added some black spots.
Lastly I added a couple of highlights in white.
A little blush and it’s done.
I had a lot of fun doing this so maybe I’ll start a vocaloid series.
So I hope you guys enjoyed!
It’s been fun learning old techniques again and I’m looking forward to improving again for next time.
Thanks for watching!
Illustrator. Strong tea, knitting, watercolours, and making a video game called Moonlight in Garland. Living with her adorable husband Jimmy, fluffy puppy Miss Lottie and Bergamot Bunny in Melbourne, Australia.
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