Star-Spangled Banner Vest. DIY

Supplies: denim vest

Flag/ fabric

DIY:

Just as it looks. Pin flag to back of vest. Top stitch by hand or machine...The flag you can find anywhere this time of year for around $1. The firm fabric is perfect for denim shorts too. Just swap the flag for fabric like this post here. 

I mainly keep my blog about sewing, but contrary to what it seems this is such a small part of my life. I was thrilled when The Busy Women's Guide to Surviving Motherhood asked to do an interview. 

I hope you guys check out the interview here.

Hope everyone has a great week! 

DIY Curtains sewn pleated skirt

Supplies: Curtains from this post. 

Elastic waist band

(handmade necklace by Saressa)

This pretty fabric was from a clearance curtain. It didn't have another set so I made it a dress, but didn't want to wear a tube dress so I finished it as a skirt. It turned out quite lovely, would look great at a wedding or reception dress. 

The beautiful gem necklace was handmade from Saressa.

DIY:
Video Here

1) Cut fabric to desired length. Measure out enough to make a full skirt (based off your measurements). 

2) Pleat by sewing folds back and forth evenly along the waistline like this. 

3) Once folds are all sewn along waistline, sew elastic band right sides together with pleated skirt. You will have to pull the elastic to fit. 

4) Sew the back seam up.  Finish hem if needed.

Very easy video here…

 

DIY. Plain tank into Lace-up Racerback

Edge up a basic tank with lace up eyelet detailing. It instantly transforms a boring top into an edgy racerback! 

Supplies:

• plain tank with straps 
• Dritz Eyelet Pliers 
• Eyelets Brass
• 2-Part Eyelet Tools
• 2-Part Eyelets
• 1/2 yd lace up trim (from trim section at fabric store)

DIY:

To view a video tutorial go here: 

 There is 2 ways to do this. 

• You can either buy the grommet/lace up trim from the store.  Place the trim where the strap hits the midpoint of the shoulder and pin in one continuous strip to the same point on the other side. When pinning you will need the trim to be on the inside of the straps. So you will sew on the left side of the trim, and right side of the strap. Top stitch along the grommet trim starting from one side to the other. (Remember to sew on the left side of the trim or you won't be able to lace it up). You can also glue the trim with a hot glue gun or fabric glue, but that's not my style. 
•  This is how I did the top using the Dritz Eyelet Pliers and Eyelets. Begin by marking with tailors chalk or a marking tool where you want your eyelets to be. I did even spaces of 1.5" starting from the midpoint of shoulder strap and marked continuously all the way around (even the collar). 
• Follow the Eyelet Plier instructions. You will cut a small hole (I just poked each hole with some embroidery scissors because the jersey will stretch so don't cut large holes (a small poke will do). Then place the eyelets into the holes and secure with the pliers. 
•  Once done with either ways tie some string in the back to create a racer back. I started at the bottom 2 and laced string in and out till I got to about the midpoint of the shoulder. I used some jersey knit scraps and cut a 1/2" x 20" strip and pulled to create string. 

Try this on the front of a t-shirt too for an edgy collar line: Video tutorial here!

Oversized top sewn little mini dress.

Supplies: Thrifted XXL stretch top and only $2.00!

Now that's a transformation...

DIY. Shirt Sewn Skirt.

I got this interesting shirt with a portrait of central park from the thrift store. I liked it as a shirt and will wear it as both, but here is an easy DIY to sew stretch shirts into a skirt/tube dress. 

DIY:

If you like it as a shirt too, you can also just tie the arms around your waist and it becomes a convertible shirt/skirt.

Because it was stretchy, all I did was sew it into a tube...similar to this pencil skirt refashion (here) but without the zipper and waist band. Turn inside out and pin it to fit. Sew. Trim excess fabric and sleeves. 

Even can be worn as a tube top or dress...

Road Trip DIY. Weave Texture

What does this DIY gal do on a 14 hour road trip with no sewing machine...? Weave jersey strips...of course. I love this look to a basic t-shirt. It gives a bit of texture and originality and it's insanely easy. Check out the steps below and make your own. 

Supplies: 

• Dolman from T-shirt (DIY here)
• jersey strips

DIY:

• Make a dolman tee using my tutorial
• Use scrap jersey or another t-shirt and cut finger tip width strips about 12" in length. 
• Cut little holes (about 1/8 of an inch and no more as the jersey stretches) evenly along the shirt bib.  Mine were about 1/4" apart. The rows were 1/4" apart as well. 
• Knot one end of the strip through the interior and begin to weave in and out of the holes. Then knot again at the end. 
• Secure the ends if you want with a sewing machine or thread and needle.

Pinterest collage made for you...