Sound of Music Moment: Curtains Sewn Into Flapper Style Dress

Supplies: Slip Liner (thrift store find $1 to $3)

sheer organza curtains (recycled find new)

I love this dress! You can easily wear sandals for a low key look or dress it up with heels and leather jacket for evening...Go for a darling flapper look by adding flats, pearls, and a beaded cardigan.

I used a set of sheer curtains (recycling). You can easily get sheer organza from the fabric store or use any fabric you like (sheer fabrics have a natural flow to them that creates a natural wave without gathering). If you don't want to finish the edges, it will have that raw look! You can find amazing slips at thrift stores for $2.00 or so. 

To do this you want to create even strips so cut the curtains into even sections (6 inches for mine). 

I also have a serger, which keeps the edges from fraying and creates the pretty curled edging. Also helps create a natural wave of ruffles.

A tip to make even lines on the slip: I like to iron mine on by folding it up the correct amount of inches.
Pin layers right sides together on the ironed marks: SEW every layer. 

Mens T-shirt Sewn Into Dolman Top

Supplies: XL mens tee

 My husband and I are runners so we have a million t-shirts. I love grey and wanted to make it into my favorite style tee. I love the comfortable, effortless style of the dolman tee...Everything that went into this...It took me about 15 minutes or so. I played around with seams to get the fit right. It's a great new shirt for one of those "I've got nothing to wear" days. I can always count on a dolman! 

Supplies:

• t-shirt
• Sewing machine

DIY intructions: 

Video go here

Begin by removing the collar of the shirt, pull to create an off the shoulder look. 

Mark your 1/2 your hip measurement inside the t-shirt so it's even. 

Pleat about 4 inches up by folding accordion folds and pinning through front and back. Do this on both sides. 

Mark your arm hole measurement and pin from the under arm seam to that measurement. 

When you sew, start at the bottom hem and sew up to the under arm seam in a gradual line. Once you reach the underarm seam, lift your presser foot, pivot, and then finish along the sleeve line the sleeve hem.

Cut all the excess interior fabric away or serge the interior. 

Old Cardigan Turned Vacay in the Hamptons

Supplies: old cardigan

scrap fabric, trimmings, chain tidbits

So very Blair Waldorf dont you think? Pair this ivory knit cardigan with a pair of skinny jeans, flats, and a camisole and your ready for sailing in the Hamptons or perhaps tea and crumpets (or in my case a trip to the grocery store). Either way, this adorable cardigan has lots of nautical/victorian inspired elements. I added an antique gold trimming, pleated striped cotton ruffles with tattered edges. the pockets are trimmed with bows and chunky vintage coco gold chainlinks. 

A platter of bows, ruffled scraps, trimmings, and chain links will do the trick.

Use an old cardigan that has no life anymore. Add some ruffles from scrap fabric (laces, chiffon polk-a-dots). 

Very Coco Chanel meets Blair Waldorf. 

Clearance Scarves Sewn French Convertible Cardigan

Supplies: Clearance scarves I got for $3 each.

Turned into my French Riviera Convertible Cardigan. I love the fringed sleeves too. 

Cut them in half. I labeled what parts became what (just showing you all part of the process...).

Love how it turned out. The color is a very neutral beige w/ some white stripes.

Although, now I know why the scarves were $3 a piece as the fabric is already fraying. Stay tuned for a giveaway of this one.

 I had some comments/emails about patterns and step by step tutorials...My objective of this blog is to share what things inspire me (hopefully inspiring you too) and give a glimpse of the before and after process. This is not meant to be a step by step tutorial website. 

Basket Weaving old tshirts

Supplies: old grey t-shirt scraps

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. You can just cut strips without sewing them.

For an easier DIY you can cut the strips right from the back of the shirt. Start horizontally leaving the collar and bottom hem attached. Then weave the extra strips laterally, pinning as you go on the side seam.

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

DIY Birdcage Veil

Supplies: Strip of tulle, 

russian netting, 

fascinator or pendant, comb or clip.

Old Mens T-shirt Sewn Into Women's Dolman Tee

 My husband and I are runners so we have a million t-shirts.  I love transforming these boxy, oversized tees into something I will actually want to wear other then for a nightgown. I love this heather grey and wanted to make it into my favorite style tee. I love the comfortable, effortless style of the dolman tee...

It took me about 15 minutes or so. I played around with seams to get the fit right. It's a great new shirt for one of those "I've got nothing to wear" days. I can always count on a dolman! 

Supplies:

• t-shirt
• Sewing machine

DIY intructions: 

Full Video go here (it's old though).

Begin by removing the collar of the shirt, pull to create an off the shoulder look. 

Mark your 1/2 your hip measurement inside the t-shirt so it's even. 

Pleat about 4 inches up by folding accordion folds and pinning through front and back. Do this on both sides. 

Mark your arm hole measurement and pin from the under arm seam to that measurement. 

When you sew, start at the bottom hem and sew up to the under arm seam in a gradual line. Once you reach the underarm seam, lift your presser foot, pivot, and then finish along the sleeve line the sleeve hem.

Cut all the excess interior fabric away or serge the interior.

For a video go here.