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DIY Kimono

February 24, 2015 3 Comments

Hello lovelies! Today I am wearing a DIY kimono I made using New Look 6217 view A. I’ve been trying to use up my fabric stash so I can justify and have room to store more..lol So I came across this gorgeous print in my fabric closet that I purchased early last year from my Local Fabric Mart, and thought it would make a perfect spring/summer kimono because of its vibrant colors and print.

I ‘m really proud of this sewing project because of the sheerness of the fabric and because its supposed to be worn open and flawy that mean that all of my hems and seams needed to be really neat.

So I took my time and did narrow hems that are folded over twice to eliminate unfinished raw edges from showing and I cleanly serged all of my seams. This kimono was very fast and easy to sew, I didn’t even need to use the instructions. The modifications I made were extending the length. If you look at the pattern package this is meant to be about waist length, but I extended it to just below my knees.

I definitely plan on making more of these if I can find more pretty and interesting prints because I love this look. It appeals to my bohemian side and it dresses up a simple jeans and tank top as I’m wearing here. I decided to pair it with ankle boots and my hat as we are transitioning from winter to spring. I can also picture it being worn with denim shorts and my gladiator sandals as well as a swimsuit cover up and it would also look cute per a fitted midi dress. I will definitely be trying all of those looks this spring and summer.

What I’m Wearing:

Kimono: DIY using New Look 6217 view A with modifications

Top: Nordstrom Rack (Similar, Similar and only $6, Similar)

Jeggings: ASOS Tall

Boots: J. Crew (size 12) (similar up to size 12)

Bag: J. Crew

Hat: Target only $17!

Thank you for stopping by!

Hugs,

DIY, Style

DIY: Crop Top and Maxi Skirt

February 19, 2015 No Comments

Hello lovely people! Today I am wearing a diy crop top and maxi skirt made from a beautiful paisley print fabric I picked up from my local Fabric Mart. I’ve had it and as I’m trying to use up at least half of the fabric I have before purchasing new I decided to sew it up into a crop top and maxi skirt.

I love the fact that you don’t have to actually show your midriff in order to wear a crop top as long as you pair it with a high waist bottom. Which I did here with my matching maxi skirt.

I decided to pair my DIY crop top and maxi skirt with caramel to bring out the burnt orange color in my paisley print and I really love the contrast. I’m learning as a lover of color that it is important to have neutrals in the closet as well to balance everything out.

I used Vogue 8901 view C bodice portion for my top and eliminated the darts because I wanted a looser, boxier crop top as opposed to a slim fitting bodice that it would be had I actually sewn the dress. I added 2 inches in length even though I knew I wanted a crop top, I am tall and needed the extra length for it to hit where I wanted it. For my skirt I used New Look 6762 view B. The pattern calls for knits or fabrics with a generous amount of stretch. The fabric I used is not a knit but a rayon blend I believe, I actually cut my fabric out about 1″ bigger along the sides to accommodate and give it a bit more fullness and it worked just fine. For the length I added about 5 inches to accommodate for my height and make sure the skirt covered my ankles.

What I’m Wearing:

Skirt: DIY, New Look 6762 view B

Top: DIY, Vogue 8901 view C Bodice

Blazer: J.Crew, really loving this one available in tall

Bag: J.Crew, currently 20% off use code: SHOPPINGTIME

Shoes: Enzo Angiolini via Nordstrom Rack

Pattern Review for the Skirt:

Pattern Description: Misses Separates

Pattern Sizing: XS – XL I cut the Large since I wasn’t using a knit.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes it did view D.

Were the instructions easy to follow? I didn’t follow the instructions because it was a super easy skirt with two seams and an elastic waist.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I really loved how easy it is and fast to sew. I love the cut of the maxi skirt.

Fabric Used: Rayon Challis

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: Because I am really tall I added about 5 inches in length. Also because I wasn’t using a knit and wanted a little more volume I added about an inch to each side.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I will definitely be sewing this pattern again as maxi skirts are my summer essential. I would definitely recommend this pattern to beginners and newbies. It is super easy and fast.
Conclusion: Great pattern! Although it is a simple basic skirt, if you choose a fabric with a great color or print it brings it to life.

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Hugs,

DIY, Style

DIY: The Cold Shoulder

February 12, 2015 2 Comments

Today I’m giving the cold shoulder in my cobalt blue diy off the shoulder maxi dress. But this isn’t quite what I had in mind when I set out to sew this pattern. I had intended on making New Look 6181, view A top and view b skirt.

But once I started cutting into my cobalt blue ponte double knit fabric (which is from Joann.com), I realized that my fabric choice although beautiful in color, was too heavy for this particular dress pattern. But I had already started to cut (rookie mistake) and I didn’t want to waste my fabric, so I tried to think of how I could salvage it.

Because my fabric was a bit to thick and heavy, I could not get the cowl neck to drape properly. It just sort of stuck out from my chest like a v shaped bowl when I looked down..lol so I decided to cut the neck opening a bit shallower and wider, which made it the perfect for wearing off the shoulder. You know I love my shoulders and don’t mind baring them a bit. And instead of connecting my top and bottom pieces I decided to keep them separate as a skirt and top. I added a 1 1/2″ elastic band to the waist of my skirt and just hemmed up the bottom of my top. Although it looks nothing like the pattern I have to say I am pretty pleased with the way it turned out.

I was able to salvage my material and not only get a “maxi dress” out of it but also two pieces that can be worn separately. A win-win situation if I do say so myself. Don’t you just love it when things seem to go wrong, but turn out so right! What I’m Wearing:

Top: DIY New Look 6181 View A Bodice Modified

Skirt: DIY New Look 6181 View B

Bag: TJ Maxx

Pattern Review:

Pattern Description: Misses Dress in two lengths and belt

Pattern Sizing:
A Sizes 8-18 I cut the size 14
Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Not really because of the modifications I made due to choosing a too heavy fabric that didn’t quite drape right at the neck.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes from what I read, although I didn’t end up following them.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
I like everything about this pattern especially the sleeveless or sleeve options for the dress.

Fabric Used: Cobalt Blue Ponte Knit from Joann’s.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I modified the neckline by cutting it a bit shallower and wider to be able to drape off one shoulder. I added about 5 inches to the top bodice piece and hemmed it, leaving it as a top instead of connecting it to the skirt. For the bottom skirt piece I used 1 1/2″ wide elastic and added 4 inches to the skirt for a floor sweeping maxi length.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I will definitely be sewing this pattern again using a more light weight type knit fabric and I would recommend this pattern to others.

Conclusion:
Even with my error in fabric choice and lengthening modifications this is a great staple pattern to build from and I also want to make a dress that actually looks like the picture on the pattern..lol

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Hugs,

DIY, Style

DIY: Lace Print Maxi Dress

February 9, 2015 4 Comments

Hello Lovelies! I know its been a while since I’ve posted and I apologize. I’ve been busy with my mommy and wife life plus I’ve suffered a few losses in my family the last few months of last year that just had me feeling kind of blah and not really in the mood to blog. As you all know if you follow me on Facebook or Instagram that My dad passed away unexpectedly in September and then less than two months later my grandfather on my mom’s side passed away and about a month after that my uncle (dad’s brother) passed away. So as you can see the tail end of 2014 was a bit rough and I was glad to see that year end. I just stayed focused on my boys and am so grateful to have a supportive husband. Anyway, I am back now and hope to get things rolling here on the blog again. So I am happy to be back and I am so excited about todays post, which you know usually means I’m featuring something that I made myself. Today it is all about my green diy lace print maxi dress. I found this fabric at fashionfabricsclub.com and it was only $4.95 a yard. I purchased 4 yards. The pattern I used was New Look 6301 and I purchased it from my local Wal-Mart for only $2.97. So yes this lovely dress only cost me about $25 to make when you throw in the thread. I cut view C of New Look 6301.

This dress was really easy to make and very fast to sew. From cutting to sewing I would say it took me about three hours total to make. The modifications that I made were the following: I added 2 1/2″ to the sleeve length and extended the bodice length an additional 3 1/2″. For the extended maxi skirt length I wanted I didn’t really measure the additional inches, I just held the fabric up to me at my waist and marked it off at the length I wanted and then placed the pattern on it and extended my cutting down to my preferred length. Which you can see is sweeping the floor and I am wearing about 3 1/2″ heels. I made this dress before the holidays with the intentions of posting it as a Christmas or holiday party look but never got around to posting it. I’m thinking it would even make a nice Valentines date night dress as well. Currently this is one of my favorite pieces that I’ve made thus far. I can’t believe that such an inexpensive fabric and pattern, plus my still novice sewing skills could mesh together so well to create something so pretty. The icing on the cake is my hubby loves it as well!

What I’m Wearing:

Dress: DIY using New Look 6301 View C with Modifications

Necklace: eBay

Shoes: Ivanka Trump via Nordstrom (not shown)

Pattern Review:

Pattern Description:
Misses Mock Wrap Knit Dresses
Pattern Sizing:
Misses Size 8-20 I cut the size 14

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? I cut view C and it looked like the photo, but a longer maxi dress version.

Were the instructions easy to follow? The instructions were very easy to follow.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?I loved the low cost of this pattern and I loved how easy and fast it was to sew.

Fabric Used:I used a Green/Black Lace Print Jersey Knit

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I extended the sleeve length by 2 1/2″, extended the length of the bodice by 3 1/2″ and extended the skirt to floor length.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others?
I will definitely be sewing this pattern again using the different views and in various lengths. I would definitely recommend this pattern to others.
Conclusion: Great pattern. I really love how my dress turned out.

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Hugs,

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DIY Kimono

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DIY Kimono

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