DIY: Turn a Broken Necklace Into a Chic Chain Strap Tank Top Confession: deep down I am a bit of a fashion pack rat. When it comes time to get rid of unworn wardrobe items, I usually have a tough time parting with some pieces because I never know what may come in handy later. The nude tank top in this project is a perfect example of my hoarding habits. What You Need to Make the Chain Strap Tank Top: For the necklace, I recommend using a thicker chain so that you prevent any wardrobe malfunctions. Then, you need to lay your tank top flat and snip off the tops at the shoulders. You can also add a bit of ribbon to cover where the chain meets the shirt, but this isn't necessary.
Basket Weaving old tshirts I love a simple top with a twist. The strips were a bit time consuming because I sewed them together to create a more tailored look. I kept the front plain, but you can flip it to be worn either way... Make strips using similar jersey. I wanted a more tailored look so I cut the strips wide enough, folded them in half (right sides together) and flipped them with a loop turner (you can get this at any fabric/craft store). This is more difficult, but looks nicer. For an easier DIY you can cut the strips right from the back of the shirt. Weaved them in and out and sew! Once I got to the length I wanted, I made a larger strip to go all the way around. front and back view
How to Make a Shirt Smaller When you buy most of your wardrobe off the clearance rack and from thrift stores, odds are that most of the stuff is not going to be in your size. ie: GiNoRmous trousers and teeny tops. :) While I haven't figured out a way to make small things larger, I do have a system for making shirts smaller. Fair warning-- this is not rocket science and I'm not one for specific measurements when it comes to sewing up thrift store finds. This makes my detail-oriented, sewist/seamstress of a mother VERY uncomfortable... but that's just how I sew. ;) Step 1: Try on your extra large shirt and figure out just how extra large it really is on you. Step 2: Take off the shirt and turn it inside out. Step 3: Sew it up! Extra tip: I pinned the shirt in place along the chalk like that I wanted to sew up-- this just keeps everything in place and it makes it so that there is less that could go wrong. PS-- Sorry I don't have more tutorial photos. From extra-large to a good fit. :) Want to see how I tied my scarf?
Simple Bow Tie Top I'm so happy about how this turned out. This is one of those projects that's been on my to do list forever and now that I finally got it done, I wish I had done it a long time ago. This is such a simple project. One of the easiest I've ever made. Materials: 5/6 + yard knit & 1/3 yard silk, cotton, etc. My knit is 60" wide and my dusty pink silk (faux) is 45" wide. Your fabric doesn't have to be exactly as wide as mine, just keep in mind that if you buy a fabric that is less wide you may need to purchase more to compensate. Cut two large squares to the dimensions of 30" x 30" If you bought 5/6 yd of 60" fabric all you have to do is cut along the fold line. **Edit- 30" length gives you a long top. Make a casing at the top of each square. Sew down with a zig zag stitch (so it can stretch). Start working on your sash. I made a mistake when I made my sash and cut where I shouldn't have. Cut right down the middle of your fabric so that you have two 45" by 6" strips. Cut off extra fabric Voila.
How To Make An Easy AND Versatile Shirt (For Cheap!) Wow, it's been over a year since my last clothing tutorial.. How did that happen?! Anyways.. I've seen a few shirts like this floating around the internet. I saw them, loved them and thought, wow.. So, I did. It was super easy, super versatile! It cost about 5.00 to make and took under an hour. I took pictures along the way, but sadly there is not much light in my little apartment. So, I have some lovely digital illustrations as well.. I hope they can help make things clearer! You will need: A sewing machine A yard or two of fabric Fabric or lace for the sash Matching thread Scissors Like I said in my first tutorial, I don't measure, but this part is pretty simple. I hold the fabric over my torso, until it reaches my sides, I add an inch or so, then cut! You will need to make two of these. It's okay if you make them a little too big, the shirt is supposed to be a bit baggy. Plus you can always take the shirt in later. The long skinny, wavy piece above is for the sash.. we'll worry about that later.
hoodie + tutorial [image heavy] so to start things off. my veggietales hoodie. not really a flattering color or print but it's super warm because i lined the entire hoodie, sleeves and all, with flannel. now onto the tutorial. please read this carefully before asking too many questions. I'll try to be as clear as possible. I directed this tutorial towards someone who has sewn a piece of clothing before. Materials: 2+ yards of main fabric, .5 yard lining (for hood), 20" or longer separating zipper, .5 yard rib knit fabric, 1 tshirt, it would also be useful to have a hoodie next to you while you're doing this just to make sure things look right. Instructions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. I hope this tutorial made sense and that some of you will make use of it. Questions and comments are welcome.
Stenciling with Bleach So here’s tutorial #3 in the bleach series! It’s an easy way to customize a shirt, fabric by removing color instead of adding it. For my first project I used a $1 doily as my stencil. I placed it on a navy t-shirt and sprayed a mist of bleach over top: I moved the stencil to another location and sprayed again. Navy….turning to a dark pink/purple: Finished: You can also use vinyl or freezer paper stencils. I used a sponge to dab the bleach around the stencil and I used a spray bottle to mist around it: Once the shirt began to change colors, I sprayed the back of the shirt with bleach. Bleach stenciling is an easy way to add lettering to a shirt too. Finished! Visit the other two projects from this week by clicking the images below:
The Shirt Skirt | Sew Like My Mom July 28, 2010 I’m so excited to post about this! When I met Dana, I fell in love with the skirt she was wearing. She made it herself (obviously) and she showed us how simply she’d shirred the waistband. I developed an idea in my head I thought just might be crazy enough to work. The Hubs thought I was a little crazy when I explained my idea to him. It’s the easiest thing in the world to do! The shirt skirt perfect for summertime. I wore the green and white one to Sofie’s birthday party. I had 2 women in Walmart stop me to tell me how comfy my skirt looked and when I told them how I made it, they demanded I call Rachael Ray immediately! The process is so easy. I do my shopping at Goodwill for 1 reason. So, get your super cheap thrifted shirt. To determine what shirt size you should get, just make sure it will go around you. So, lay your shirt out flat, and whack it off right under the sleeves. I like to use thread the same color as my fabric. Now, I break a rule of shirring.
No Sew, DIY Tee-Shirt Halter #2 This is a variation of the basic Halter I did HERE.. For those of you who did not like the back on the first DIY halter; this one makes the back tighter. I love taking one thing and creating different looks, is one of my favorite things to do. Enjoy! Tutorial Things you Need Tee Shirt * this is a Mens Extra Large, Hanes T-shirt I wear a Medium/ Large Womens normally.ChalkScissors #1 Front Cut on the red lines #2 cut the back on the red lines. #Back Cut the red lines #4 Twist the straps *This will make the back tighter as well* Criss cross them and wrap around your neck and tie Have a Super Saturday!! Lots of <3, Anne
DIY Fashion: Painted Galaxy T-Shirt - College Fashion Galaxy print tee shirts are among my favorite trends of the past year: there is something so whimsical and retro-cool about colorful clouds and stars splashed across a tee. You can find a ton of handmade galaxy shirts, shorts, or even jeans on Etsy, but these items are usually pretty out of budget for the average college student. Want to try the trend for cheap? It’s easy to make a DIY galaxy shirt. This tutorial will show you how to create your own painted galaxy print t-shirt using supplies you probably already have! What you’ll need: Black t-shirtFabric PaintSponge brushesOld toothbrushPlastic plateCardboardOptional: Glitter How to: 1. To start, squirt your paints onto the plate to make a palette, then place your piece of cardboard inside your shirt to prevent the paint from bleeding through both sides. 2. 3. 4. 5. Voila! What do you think? Do you like the galaxy print trend?
How to Turn Bootcut Jeans into Skinny Jeans Can’t seem to shake those old bootcut jeans in your closet? But never wear them? With a couple zippers, a few trials on the sewing machine and a little hackery, it’s surprisingly simple to turn them into skinny jeans! This is definitely on the more advanced side in terms of projects, as you’ll need to know the basics of sewing on a sewing machine and be willing to learn how to use a zipper foot. Now, onto the tutorial! Materials: - old pair of bootcut or flare jeans - two zippers - sewing machine - sewing pins First, put on your jeans inside out (or put them on a friend who happens to be your same size) and pin along the outer seam to tighten the pants around your calves. Be careful taking off the pants so that you don’t poke yourself (or lose any of the pins)! Here’s how the pinned pants should look. Cut excess fabric from where you pinned. Line up the zipper so that the bottom of it (the zipper close) matches perfectly with the hem of your pants. Pin the other side, and sew in as well.