WIWW: Low-Waisted Pencil Skirt

Yes, I know the title sounds like an oxymoron.

It is true though, I made myself a "low-waisted" pencil skirt and now I'm going to share with you how I did it!

(For those of you who read my blog regularly, I know what you are thinking. She just moved to Florida and two weeks later she's creating a pencil skirt?!?! Don't worry. I'm not that on top of it. I made this last spring. Yep...so now you think I'm totally lazy and not on-top of it. "It took her that long to get this post out?!?!" Yes, yes it did.)

I was pretty proud of that zipper (even if it did bunch a bit). It was the first zipper I had done in a loooong time.

{Note: Be careful of your fabric choices. This fabric wrinkles INSTANTLY! Oh...and don't forget to was it first...}

Oh, and that almost invisible hem?  Handstitched.
And I hand-sewed the outside of the waistband down. I really, really need to learn how to stitch in the ditch...

And...in case you were dying to see a few more awkward poses...

Despite my "issues" with the process, I love the skirt and am dying to make more. Maybe in knit so I won't have to do a zipper! Who knows!

Although there is no tutorial here, I hope this inspires you to pull out your sewing machine...it sure is making me want to!
{And I don't even have a table to sew at!}

Be blessed!
<3

Adding Cap Sleeves to a Spaghetti Strap Dress

Hello dear readers!

Are you ready for another tutorial?

I am. It's been far to long. =)

Unfortunately this tutorial is not quite complete. I was altering this dress just a few hours before a wedding I planned to wear it to.  Thus, the final step was rather hurried and I forgot to take any pictures of it. =(

I will do my best to explain it thoroughly and feel free to email me with any questions you might have!

I cut my fabric from some leftover scraps I had. They matched perfectly!

For those of you who don't know what a basting stitch is...it is a straight stitch, but with your machine set so that it is longer than normal stitches. This also loosens the stitch so that it is easy to pull on the threads to gather the material.

(NOTE: I sewed the basting stitches about 1/3 to 1/2 an inch in from the edge of the material)

Next is the final step...

Start by attaching the sleeve to the front.

(NOTE: DO NOT clip off your straps...the cap sleeves will cover them, but the strap will still be the main piece holding up your dress.)

Take one gathered end of the sleeve and (starting on one side of the strap) pin the gathered section to the inside of the dress. Make sure that the fabric is pulled down far enough hide the basting from view when the dress is being worn.

To cross over the strap, fold the gathered fabric up and to the inside so that it is hidden from view and the fabric fold of the sleeve is meeting the fabric of the dress in front of the strap. You will sew it down this way. Place one more pin on the other side of the strap to hold the rest of the sleeve in place.

Using a needle and thread, sew the strap down. I sewed over and back across the sleeve to make sure that it was firmly attached. The bodice of your dress should have two layers...only sew through the inside layer of fabric.

Complete the same process to attach the sleeve in the back.

(NOTE: Before you start sewing the back of the sleeve, make sure that you measure to make sure the sleeve is the right length to fit comfortably over your should...measuring it by the existing strap is the easiest way to do this. You don't want your sleeve so loose that it falls off your shoulder exposing the original strap.)

Complete the same process for the other sleeve, clip your threads and you are done!

So curl your hair, put on make up and get ready for a fancy evening out...or in my case, a wedding!

If you use this tutorial, send me some pictures so I can see your beautiful creation!

Enjoy and, as always, be blessed!

<3

Linking Up:

I Made a Maxi Dress!

For those of you who have managed to find me on Instagram or Twitter, you may remember this picture of my fabric purchase last week!

Well, I used this SUPER SOFT knit to make a maxi dress!

I spent some time pinning different maxi dresses I liked.  Then I picked my favorite to copy cat...that was the hard part.  But I ended up sticking with my the dress that had inspired me to make my own in the first place.  This dress from LaPosh Style costs $45.

(source)

I couldn't justify spending that much.

So I made my own...for about $16!

The color is slightly lighter =(

But it is still beautiful!

It is not as gathered in the waist as the example photo.  Oops!

It was definitely a challenge to create a dress without a pattern.  I started off intending to make a tutorial...and then I made to many mistakes....

Maybe I'll come up with a short one...

Or maybe I'll make another one...

Or maybe one of you will buy the fabric and have me make one for you?

LOL!  We'll see if I can figure out a tutorial soon.

...

And then I had some fun with PicMonkey...  Seriously...airbrushing and adding lip color is 

SO MUCH FUN sometimes.  =P

I hope you like my dress...I love it!  And I love the fact that it covers my bandaged up ankle.

I developed shin splints.  =(

Have you bought or made a maxi dress this year?  I LOVE them!  Post a link to a picture of you in a maxi dress if you want.  I'd love to see it!

Be blessed!

Linking Up:

Maxi Skirt

Well once again I rushed into this project headlong and didn't take "before" pictures.  So you will just have to imagine how this dress looked before it became a maxi skirt!

I have been wanting a maxi skirt for awhile, and I almost never wore this long dress.  Perfect combination! So I cut the bodice off, folded it over, sewed it up, and then belted it.  I love the result.  I may have to go make or buy another maxi skirt now!

What have you been refashioning lately?


Be blessed!

Hemmed!

Remember this photo I posted awhile ago?  I said that I was doing a cool project I couldn't wait to show you guys?  Well...it sorta took me forever to take pictures of.  But that's okay, because I LOVE my new dress and didn't mind wearing it over and over!

(And by the time we got around to pictures, it was sunny so we could take them outside!  Yay!)

Isn't it pretty!  Without a belt Travis says that I look pregnant....he's right.  It looks REALLY funny when it is not belted.  It looked even funnier before I cut 14 inches off!  =)  I really do like it though.  It's not super warm, so I'll definitely use it more as the sun is out more and more (hopefully).

And guess what I get to do with the bottom part since I kept it in a circle?  Use it as a light summer infinity scarf!  Two new clothing items for $7!  I love Goodwill! <3

Which do you like better?  The wide belt or the skinny belt?

Cardigan or not?

Comment and let me know!

Linking Up:

Be Blessed

Keeping My Promises

   

Remember these?  I promised tutorials for these projects a week or two (or three) ago now.  So I'm here to keep my promises!

First Project:  Zig Zag Afghan
Gather Your Supplies:
Select your three yarn colors.  (I used Vanna's Choice brand yarn - Loved it!)  I used probably 15-18 balls of yarn total (including border).
Size G crochet hook
Scissors

Body:
Decided how many "zig-zags" you want your afghan to have.  Each little peak is about 3 or 3 1/2 inches.  Once you have a number multiply it by 14.  This is the number you need to chain on.
Turn and single crochet into the second chain from hook.  Single crochet in each of the next 5 chains.  *Single crochet 3 times into the next chain and then single crochet once into each of the next 6 chains.
(Summary:  By now you should have six single crochets leading to the little peak you just made with the 3 single crochets in one stitch.  You should also have six single crochets leading down from the peak to the valley that you are about to make.)
Skip the next chain and single in each of the next 6 chains.  Repeat from * until the end of your row.
Now chain 1 and turn.  Skip the first single crochet and single crochet in the FRONT LOOP ONLY of the second single crochet.  Single crochet in each of the next 5 single crochets (front loop only - this gives the blanket a nice ridged texture on both sides).  **Single crochet 3 times in the next single crochet (this should be the middle single crochet of the three in one stitch from the row before).  Single crochet in each of the next 6 single crochets; skip 2 single crochets and single crochet in each of the next 6 stitches - you should be heading back up to the next peak.  Repeat from ** until you have made the afghan the length you want it.  Switch colors every 6 rows.
(Don't forget = for the rest of the blanket, besides the border, you are crocheting in the front loop ONLY.)
Another Note: Try to crochet the ends of your threads in as you go...I only started doing that about 1/2 way through and weaving the threads in at the end was a PAIN!

Border:
(NOTE: For the entire border, stitch through both loops of the stitch instead of just the front loop)
Single crochet around the entire border of your afghan starting on a straight side.  Single crochet 3 times in each of the corners (make sure you are exactly in the corner).  On the top and bottom, (zig-zag sides) crochet as you did above for the body of the afghan (3 sc in the peak, skip 2 sc in the valleys).
On the sides you will have to just do your best to place the stitches.  Putting them too close together with cause the edge to ripple (not the end of the world considering it is a ruffled border anyways), and putting them to far apart will cause the border to pucker (really bad!).
*Join the circle when you come back around  to where you started and chain 3.  Double crochet 1 time into the first single crochet and 2 times into each of the single crochets down the entire side of the afghan.  Double crochet three times into the corner stitch (middle of the 3 stitches from the sc round).  Complete the top and bottom sides (zig-zag sides) using the same method you did with the single crochet round (and body of afghan) except using double crochets.  Finish out the round.  Repeat from * one more full round and then tie it off and cut your threads.  Weave them in and you are done!

(Note: I searched online for a pattern and used the ideas from a few.  In the end it was changed so much from the original patterns that it was my own.  The border I created completely by myself!)

Congratulations to anyone who actually completes this project!  You MUST link up a picture.  It is a huge accomplishment.

Project Two: Pleather Belt

Gather Supplies:
1/4 yard (or less) of pho leather
half the measurement of your waist of 2 inch wide black elastic
small metal buckle

Make It:
Cut two strips of pleather that are two inches wide.  To calculate the length of the two strips:

1. Take your waist measurement, divide it by 4, and add 1/2 an inch
2. Take your waist measurement, divide it by 4, and add 3 inches

Sew the short side (2") of each piece of pleather to one of the short sides (2") of the elastic.  It should look like  <pleather strip - elastic - pleather strip>  the pleather and elastic should overlap 1/4 inch on each side.

(NOTE: Test sewing on pleather ahead of time.  I ruined 2 potential belts because my tension was not correctly adjusted and everything puckered.)

See the following illustration for how to finish the buckle of your belt!

As always, if you have ANY questions, just leave a comment and I will do my best to get back to you in a timely manner.

Be blessed!

What I Made Wednesday!

I am feeling much better than I did yesterday, although I still took a nap after my morning run just to keep myself on the path to full health.

I had a few hours this afternoon so I decided that instead of spending a few hours on pinterest and my google reader looking at all these amazingly creative crafts other people are doing, I should sit down and do one myself!  So I pulled out a half finished project and within 45 minutes it was done!

I made a belt!  I got the pleather (pho leather) at Joannes a few months ago on clearance. I bought a quarter yard and it cost me two dollars!  I also bought some 2 inch black elastic that was on sale...I don't remember how much it cost, but I know it was not more than a few dollars.  The black elastic is on the back of the belt...sorry that I forgot to get pictures of the back!  I used the buckle off an old shoe that I never wore.

(Note: practice sewing on pleather before you cut all your fabric to size and start in on the project)

It definitely does not look profesional, but its a start and I think it looks cute! I have enough pleather and elastic for at least two more.  I'll try to get some full outfit pictures up soon!

Linking Up:

Be blessed!