Tutorial: Sewing Panties This post is part of the Stretch Yourself series, hosted by Miriam of Mad Mim and Miranda of One Little Minute. It is a two week long series about sewing with knits that have started last week, covering various topics like fabric selection, pattern-making, construction, finishing techniques with various style and projects by 10 guest bloggers. Today I am honored to be one of the guest blogger! Don’t forget to check out Jodi at Sew Fearless who will also posting about using stretch lace. My tutorial is for sewing your own panties, but most especially about using and attaching several types of elastics. Sewing your own panties is fast and easy, really it is much more faster than reading this whole tutorial. Stretch fabric: lycra, jersey. You can also trace them yourself from the ones you already have. For most pattern, you will have three pieces, front, back, and crotch.Fold your fabric and place your pattern pieces. Stitch the sandwiched layers together using zigzag stitches. Related
The Convertible “Infinity” Dress: How it almost defeated me, and what you need to make one I made this thing. It’s pretty cool. It’s a convertible dress that’s basically a circle and two straps, so it’s really easy, inexpensive, and crazy versatile. It’s been around forever and everyone seems to love it (in fact, part of the reason I’m posting this is to answer some questions for people I’ve run into), and I can hardly believe how close I came to not making it at all. I first found the instructions at a blog called rostitchery, and then I came across a second set at Cut Out + Keep. So I bought some material, spread it out in the living room, cut out my pieces, and… …stopped. I didn’t understand the next step. Turn the skirt inside out? And what’s this about making them overlap each other? There’s, like, a band of fabric involved? What? I figured I was just being thick. So I folded up my circle and my straps and I put it all back in the bag it came in. And I went upstairs to watch TV. I was wearing my new dress after about half an hour. Select a stretchy knit with spandex in it.
belle and burger: Panty Tutorial: How to make your own drawers Well folks I think I have been talkin' about this tutorial for about a year, so I finally pulled it out. There are millions( ok maybe not millions, but a whole heck of a lot) of variations and add ons but I was trying to do the simplest one first. Materialsthreadsewing machine1 yd stretch elastic or fold over elasticpaper for pattern(paper bag or newspaper)scissorsold t shirt or any knit materialpair of underwear to cut and make pattern from Make your knickers !! 1. 2. Lie the pieces as flat and symmetrical as possible on your pattern paper(I Try to use the manufactured straight edge of my paper as the center fold line, This way I know that line is straight) Trace around your fabric piece leaving about 1/8-1/4 " edge. This pattern may take a bit of tweaking to get the way you like so use up and the oldest ugliest t-shirts on your first pair then you can make adjustments to your pattern from there 3. I cut the front panel from a large enough scrap of fabric I had in my cotton knit pile. 4.
How to Turn a Scarf into a Vest in 2 Easy Steps... Fashion This genius idea {which I am in no way claiming to have originated but merely stumbled upon a youtube video of it a few months ago} is yet another way to make your scarves work for you. Light scarves, as we all know, are the perfect transitional accessory from Summer to Fall. They warm us up just enough while adding a little pop to our ensemble. This is a brilliant way to add a light layer on a chilly day without spending a dime or even pulling out a needle and thread. It’s genius I tell you… anyone can do it! Go try it now! Here’s What You’ll Need… Specifications: look for your longest scarves in your closet. Steps… * Fold your scarf or fabric in half lengthwise. * Now grab the top two corners of your folded scarf or fabric… * And tie them in a small knot with the least amount of fabric possible. * Open your folded scarf and you should see two arm holes… now go ahead and slip your arms right through those Voila! psst! Have Fun! Find all my DIYs here!
Fused Interfacing: Tailor's Tricks Block Fusing is a method that many modern tailors and home-sewists use to apply interfacing to fashion fabric yardage before the pattern pieces are cut out. Have you ever struggled keeping the interfacing layer from slipping off-grain as you attempt to fuse it to your fabric yardage? Next time, try this fast, easy, and accurate method that I learned from a Master Tailor, called "SPOT-FUSING"...And it can be done right on your cutting table! First, we need to prepare the surface of the table. The photo above shows my cutting table covered with 2 layers of HEAVY weight muslin (from Gorgeous Fabrics), and one layer of very thick wool (a heavy wool blanket will work as well..I just happen to have felted wool yardage that I use for this technique). Next, lay out your fashion fabric on top of your "padded" table, WRONG side UP...making SURE it is smooth. Now lay your Interfacing FUSIBLE Side DOWN on the (wrong side) of the fashion fabric, making sure it is smooth and on grain.
Jumper These are the pieces you are going to need. The measurements are half the garment, so make sure you get them right. First, measure from under your bust to your waist. Add a few inches for seam allowances and a hem. This is where my 10" came from. Next, measure around the largest part of your stomach. Then, decide where you want your button "strip" to go. The skirt and the straps are simple, go ahead and make them what you wish. Below are my measurements. The Designer Pad - A Private Suite On Wheels Talk about bringing camping into the 21st century. This luxurious take on the camper gives you the freedom to go, or stay, wherever you wish, while enjoying the outdoors in style. The Opera is a mobile holiday package combining tent accommodation, optimum travelling pleasure, convenience and comfort, and of course a modern look. This spectacular travel companion will open a world in which you can enjoy the luxuries of a comfortable boutique hotel against the backdrop of your favorite natural settings. The camper comes equipped with a kitchen, bathroom, two beds, a deck and plenty of storage to bring all that you need to have a memorable date with nature. Believe it or not, the compact kitchen is equipped with a stainless steel sink with a mixer faucet and pull-out faucet head and a top loading refrigerator. The electrically adjustable slats and mattresses with two comfort zones are your basis for an excellent night’s sleep under the stars.
DIY Barefoot Sandal + Shoe Enhancer Fashion A simple and fun way to add a little drama to your bare feet… however, I love the barefoot sandal even more when worn with a pair of classic pumps! Simply wrapped around my foot and ankle, I can wear any shoes {even ballet flats} and give them an entirely new look at relatively no cost. What You’ll Need… * Leather lace {I’m using a black suede leather lace} But a bright pink, purple, lime green or white would be fun too! Steps… * Cut two pieces of leather lacing depending on how high you want them to wrap on your leg. * With the center of the leather under your second toe, bring each side forward and cross over… bring them back and around your ankle {just under your ankle bone} and cross your lace in the back, bringing the sides back around to the front. * You can simply cross your lace over each other or create a little design like I did by looping the laces around each other, then back around my leg… * …and criss-crossing them in the back. Voila! Have Fun!
Lace Crowns -- Quick Microwave Method Update: In January of 2013 I shared a second quick-method for making lace crowns that does not use a microwave. Click HERE for that tutorial. Who wouldn't feel like instant royalty with one of these lovely handmade crowns? I often lament how little time there is left at the end of the day after chores, responsibilities, and my own creative projects, to try any of the amazing crafts I've been inspired by on Pinterest. But when I saw the lace crowns made by Joyfolie, I was wonderstruck. This project is a beautiful way to repurpose bits of vintage jewelry Because the idea is nothing short of brilliant (in my opinion), creatives all over the blogosphere are adding their own unique spin to this project whose origin I've traced back to Bitter Betty Blogs. I Like Shortcuts...and I'm not ashamed to say it. Here's where my version comes in -- I'm usually short on time. Lace Crowns -- Quick Microwave Method makes ONE 18" crown 1/2 yard crocheted lace(Also look for "Cluny Lace" or "Dyeable Cotton Lace".
How To Style Maiden Braids Last month I did a makeover story with Kelsie and had many requests for a maiden braid tutorial. Yesterday she came in and we photographed these simple step by steps. Kelsie has extremely long and thick hair, but anyone with shoulder length or longer can do these braids (see my photo below for an example). Steps 1-2: Braid two strands on each side of a center part. Steps 3-5: Wrap braids around the crown of your head and pin in place with one pin each. Step 6: Arrange braids so that they cover the front of your head like a headband. Steps 7-8: Pull the rest of the hair into a ponytail and pin it into a cute messy bun. Step 9: Add final pins and spray.
Glass Beach – The Dump You’ll Want to Visit Before you say anything about the content of this article, I hate people who litter. I’ll judge you if I think you’re too lazy to recycle. I hate pollution and the death of our fragile ecosystems and all the rest. It’s like a little Inuksuk… I’ve been trolling around for lesser known landscapes to road trip to and explore, and stumbled across this chunk of multicoloured west coast paradise. These days, Glass Beach is a protected part of MacKerricher State Park, but in 1949, it was the site of an unrestricted dump. Eventually, California realized that dumping automobiles, appliances, toxic substances and razor sharp shards of glass into the water was probably a bad idea, and looked elsewhere for a dumping site. The beaches under the cliffs lay polluted, cluttered and ruined, and were basically treated as a forgotten ‘mistake.’
DIYing with Delilah: Glitter Cap Toe Shoes {for kids or adults} Fashion Last year for Delilah’s birthday, I got these adorable pewter lace up oxford style shoes for her and unfortunately she wasn’t a fan and rarely chose to wear them. I didn’t take it personally though, she has a fondness for all things pink and purple at the moment and I know she’ll grow into her own style over time… oh and also, because she’s a toddler But since the adorable lace ups still fit, I thought maybe if we sparkled them up a bit together, she’d be more inclined to wear them before she outgrows them in a few months. The teeth marks I found on one of the toes led me to believe one of her 3 adorable, but feisty doggies may have thought they were a snack! I glittered up a pair of my own lace ups to join in the fun. Note: there will be far more photos than necessary in this DIY tutorial {which is very similar to these glitter sneakers} simply because of the cute factor going on here. What you’ll need… Steps… * Dip your shoe into the glitter… Voila! * Note the second coat technique above
DIY Clothes Tutorial: Making an Elastic Harness [DIY Fashion]Monoxious | Monoxious Hello peeps, It’s been long since we had a post on DIY Fashion. We apologise on that part, the past month has been pretty crazy with the holiday season and setting up resolutions and priorities as the year drew to an end. We have load of exciting things lined up for Monoxious this year. Do watch out for them. Today we present something which we have been procrastinating for quite a while (which is not good since fashion waits for no one.) and raved about it back here. These are what you will need. Elastics (approx 5yards)Trimmings with hook and eyePinsBlack threadDress form (not pictured)Optional: Black Sock cat (for entertainment) Start pinning your elastics to the dress form. Just keep doing it until you’re satisfied or run out of elastics. I marked the lines a little further as you can see as elastics are stretchable and you would want the harness to be slightly snug when wearing. Sew all the straps together~!!!! And here’s the completed piece~!!!
Easy Origami Envelope | If you’d like to make these cute little “Flap Lock” Origami Envelopes–all you’ll need is a piece of square paper…any size. I used Christmas scrapbook paper. 1. Fold the paper in half to form a triangle. Make sure your edges are even. 2. 3. fold the right corner about 1/3 of the way to the left. 4. 5. 6. 6. 7. 8. 9. And there you have it! Now scurry off and make a million of these–or at least 24 if you’re using them for the Family Advent Countdown Calendar. Not in the mood to fold your own?