MAKING THE SWITCH TO ECO FRIENDLY AND REUSABLE BAMBOO FACE WIPES

Nearly a year ago I made the resolution to cut back on plastic usage in my day to day life.

I made simple changes to shopping habits like buying fruit and vegetables at the market instead of the big supermarkets. It seems so unneccessary that so many fruit and vegetable products are wrapped in plastic when they have their own protective outer skin- often not eaten anyway. It felt good to also be supporting the local businesses of my town centre.

Around the same time my mum bought me a Tropic Skin Care travel set (vegan and cruelty free) which included a bamboo flannel. I was amazed at how silky soft the fabric was. Much more so than your standard cotton terry towelling face cloth. I always used it with my cleansing routine to remove makeup and thought how convenient it would be to have smaller minature versions.

The Bamboo face wipes make a great alternative to cotton wool and wet wipes which once discarded take a long time to decompose and will clog up sewers and rivers if thrown down the toilet.

Bamboo is a highly sustainable fibre from one of the fasted growing plants. It can be cultivated naturally without the need for pesticides and is biodegrable making it eco friendly.

Bamboo is highly absorbant and quick drying. The bamboo face wipes are double sided (2 ply) bamboo for extra thickness.

In order to reuse the bamboo face wipes, simply add them in the washing machine in a garment bag with your clothes to clean or handwash.

Another bonus to introducing the bamboo face wipes to my beauty routine meant I could totally eliminate plastic wastage from buying cotton wool.

I spent a while sourcing fabric to attain the highest percentage of bamboo fibre and ensuring the finished product was super eco friendly. The fabric I chose- has a 90% fibre content in comparison to other suppliers only offering a 60/70% bamboo fibre.

I also wanted to ensure there was zero wastage from the fabric bought. Any scraps left over from cutting the squares have gone into making random sized face wipes.

Initially when I first started selling the facewipes I recycled any old packaging I had. This led me to reconsider the packaging choices I was using accross my entire brand. At the time of publishing this post I have just updating all my packaging to card boxes and will be phasing out any of the padded envelopes previously used. Another blog post will be written to cover this.

The bamboo reusable facewipes make a great stocking filler present and can be ordered in a pack of 5 or 10. They come in a small pouch to look neat in the bathroom. I pop mine in the glass jar that previously held the cotton wool pads I used to use.

Thank you so much for your continued support. Lets do our little bit to protect this beautiful we live on.

SHOP here

ETSY here

SKADI: UNDERBUST CORSET WASPIE

The latest sample for the ‘Corset a week’ challenge is the SKADI underbust corset waspie.

For the sample I used the remaining claret red silk from my customer order from the previous week (blog post here) and black mesh. The corset is constructed from 14 panels (7 each side and measures a 23″ corset waist. It features a busk closure at the front (with busk modesty panel) and 8 sets of eyelets for lacing at the back. There are 18 bones around the corset a combination of flexi spiral steel and flat bones on each side of the eyelets. The corset also features silk bias binding finish and an inner waist tape.

The Skadi waspie style can be made to order from our shop. Choose your own combination of coloured silk and mesh for a truely bespoke corset.

 

AUTUMN IS HERE

The latest project I have completed was a custom order for a client who wanted a corset with a zip fastening to replace the busk front closure.

The client chose a claret red silk dupion to pair with the natural mesh used on the Frances style underbust corset pattern. A chunky zip with silver teeth and big circular puller was picked and co-ordinating eyelets.

I am happy to swap the busk for a fancy zip on any of our styles for quick and easy dressing/undressing.

 

NERTHUS: UNDERBUST CORSET WASPIE

The latest sample for the ‘Corset a week’ challenge is the Nerthus underbust corset waspie. The pattern is a fusion of the Agata dipped front upper edge and Vellamo shaped lower edge.

For the sample I used a purple silk from my archive of fabrics and black mesh. The corset is constructed from 14 panels (7 each side and measures a 20″ corset waist. It features a busk closure at the front (with busk modesty panel) and 10 sets of eyelets for lacing at the back. There are 18 bones around the corset a combination of flexi spiral steel and flat bones on each side of the eyelets. The corset also features silk bias binding finish and an inner waist tape.

The style can also be made to order from our shop. The 20″ waist sample is also available to purchase here.

 

RUNA: UNDERBUST CORSET WASPIE

Over the last couple of weeks I have been developing several new pattern variations on the short waspie style corset belt.

I love the versatility of these garments. Not only are they fantastic for those with a short torso but they are easy to wear and style. They make a great addition to any lingerie set or could be used to layer over an outfit as a cincher belt.

The RUNA style was based on an older pattern I dug of my archive (as recognised on the Poppy and Zinnia styles.) I dropped the centre front for a heart shaped waist line and replaced the busk for a shorter 9cm length.

The sample is made from a combination of satin coutil and sheer mesh and decorated with hand cut couture lace applique with bead/stud embellishment also seen in the Ziva harness.

As with all the samples, this style can be customised and the corset can be made using your choice of colour and fabric.

A waist tape can be added to the style. I omitted it from this sample to not distract from the lace.

The sample is sized at a 23″ waist so suitable for someone with a natural waist between 27/28″ and can be purchased here.

The Runa corset can also be made to order to your measurements here.

CORSET A WEEK CHALLENGE

Some time ago I decided to challenge myself to making a corset a week starting from scratch with a new pattern. The patterns may be inspired by historical garments, patents, vintage advertising or modifying existing patterns in my archive. Each corset will be a blank canvas in terms of fabric choice, trims, embellishment. Whilst creating one off samples for the shop the overall objective would be to create a large catalogue of block patterns that can be personalised for individual orders.

This week I went back to visit a small 12 panel corset belt pattern I originally developed some time ago. The centre front and back panels were printed silk with mesh sides and black accent used for the bone channels and bias binding.

I made two size versions varying the silk print on each style so each one a one off piece.

Both styles are available in the Shop. Designed to designed to leave a 1-2″ gap at the centre back and give a 2-3″ reduction to your waist.

POPPY– 20″ waist

Most suited to a person with the following natural measurement
Ribcage: 27/29″
Waist: 23/25″
Tophip (pelvis bone- about 10cm down from the waistline) 29/31″

ZINNIA– 23″ waist

Most suited to a person with the following natural measurement
Ribcage: 29/31″
Waist: 27/28″
Tophip (pelvis bone- about 10cm down from the waistline) 32/34″

AGATA: UNDERBUST CORSET WASPIE

The AGATA underbust corset waspie pattern was a move on from our short black satin coutil and mesh style. I wanted to drop the centre front scooping up and around the body to the back. I also lowered the centre front lower edge and sides to provide a little more control to the stomach area. I chose a purple shot blue silk dupion and backed it onto coutil to match a beautiful beaded lace  from which I would hand cut motifs from.

The corset is constructed from 14 panels (7 each side and measures a 20″ corset waist. It features a busk closure at the front (with busk modesty panel) and 8 sets of eyelets for lacing at the back. There are 18 bones around the corset a combination of flexi spiral steel and flat bones on each side of the eyelets. The corset also features silk bias binding finish and an inner waist tape.

The corset was decorated with hand cut couture embellished lace applique- my absolute favourite colour combination with the purple/blue silk.

The style can also be made to order plain or decorated from our shop. The 20″ waist sample is also available to purchase.

 

FEMME REBELLE MAGAZINE PUBLICATION

Twilight Siren were lucky enough to be featured in a four page spread in this months publication of Femme Rebelle Magazine (March 2018 Book 2)

With a Valentines theme in mind I especially made a version of the JADE body harness playsuit in red complete with gold hardware. I love the styling of the shoot layering the harness over a red latex corset by AM Statik and pasties by Catriona Stewart Clothing.

Model: Bex Fisher // Photo: Mark Kidsley

VOLUSPA: BUSKLESS UNDERBUST CORSET WASPIE

The VOLUSPA pattern was inspired by the cut of the riding/sports corsets C1900, short in length and finishing high over the hip.

The corset is constructed from 13 panels and measures a 20″ corset waist. I chose to make this sample buskless using a single centre front panel to hold 6 flat steels in stitched channels to compress to the stomach. The corset features a further 16 bones; a combination of flexi spiral steels and flat steels either side of the eyelets. I chose a slate grey silk backed with coutil and constructed the corset with external bone casings of the same silk.

The corset was decorated with hand cut couture embellished lace applique with conical stud detail.

The corset sample is available to purchase from the Etsy store and the style can also be made to order plain or decorated from our shop.

HARNESS AND CORSET PHOTOSHOOT WITH GRACE ELKIN PHOTOGRAPHY

Toward the end of last year I spent an afternoon photographing a collection of pieces for my SHOP and ETSY store. I posted a behind the scenes sneak peak blog post of the shoot here.

All the harnesses are made from luxury satin strap elastic sourced in the UK and feature metal hardware. An option of black silver of gold is usually available on most styles. Twilight Siren makes everything to size order thus catering to all sizes including plus size and fuller chest.

All the product information and links can be found with the images. I really hope you enjoy this series.

Photography: GRACE ELKIN PHOTOGRAPHY // MODEL: KIM

Please use the coupon code ‘WELCOME10’ for 10% off your first order.

1. Pentacle harness bra here
2. Black satin coutil and mesh underbust corset waspie. Made to Order here
3. Pentagram suspender harness here

1. Talia harness white (silver metal rings and sliders) here
2. White satin coutil and mesh underbust corset waspie. Made to order here
3. High waist ouvert brief white (silver rings and sliders) here

1. Mimi lace playsuit harness here

1. Purple silk and mesh underbust corset waspie. 22″ Waist ready to ship sample available and made to order here
2. High waist ouvert brief black here

1. Jade Playsuit harness white here

1. Harley Quinn Bra and brief (can be bought individually or as a set) here