Monday, July 30, 2012

Notebook Ts


Another School year is coming and that mean school supplies!  Why not look the part too?  At very little cost, you can make a fantastic outfit, customized to your child.  Notebook ts.  Here is what to do and Some examples of all that I have done for babies, tweens and Adults.

Get your fabric markers, or sharpies and a ruler.

First draw your double pink line on the left side

Draw your blue lines.  The bigger the shirt the wider you want them, or if you are writing a message, you want it larger as well.  If you are just doing a plain notebook paper, you can do it either way.  I have done both and it is cute.  See picture below on onesies.

draw your holes in the paper

draw/write design or message or freezer paper stencil something, like an initial, like I did on the infant shirt below.  WHen you are done make sure you Iron over everything to set the ink. Then wash as normal.

Here are some ideas.

This reflects my paper all throughout my school years.  Doodling.  Since I am an artist, i couldn't help it.


I did this one customized for a customer.  She is awesome!  Thanks Jennifer!


Here is one with lots of lines and just a little name printed on the top right

Freezer Paper Stenciled

Small lines and a note, personalize it with your favorite people's names!  So cute!
Hope to get you off to a great school year!!!

Friday, July 27, 2012

DIY Crib Skirt from twin Bed Skirt

So after stashing some things under the crib, I realized I need to Hide it better.  You can see right through under the crib and see all the extra parts and drawers and things for when you change the crib to a bed.  I wasn't in the mood for making whole skirt from scratch, although it is easy, it is time comsuming.  I needed a quick fix.  So While at Target one evening with the fam, I grabbed a twin bed skirt.  So if you see one in the bedding isle that you like, grab it!!!

Lay the skirt out on the floor.  Place the mattress on top.

start cutting around the mattress and cutting the skirt off the sides and ends so you can reattach them later to the under part of the skirt.



PIn right sides together of the skirt and the underpart of the long sides first.  Sew. Then do the short ends.  You can choose to do all four sides, or do just the front long and the two sides.  Whichever you want. Guess what??  Your done!  Place it in your crib!



Wednesday, July 25, 2012

DIY Bandeau Knotted Tankini

I can't believe I did it.  This has something I have toyed around with in my head since I started making clothes.  After seeing the top on pinterest (above..I wish that was me) I decided to go for it!  The last few swim suit seasons have been so depressing for me.  Nothing fits, and with waterpark season passes, I didn't want to look like those ladies that have way to much showing.  So I have been wearing swim suit dresses/coverups.  Not ideal for me, cuase usually I wear my body with pride.  Not this year.  After nursing my son and working out faithfully for months, no weight was falling off, and still isn't after I stopped nursing.  My ego is crushed and swimsuits are making me feel ridiculous and embarrased.  So this was a great problem solver.  I have a suit that fits me perfectly, one of a kind and I even went without wearing a cover up at the water park.  Now don't be intimated.  This isn't as hard as it may seam. 

Start by using a pair of underwear or swim bottoms you already have.  Make a pattern by folding them in half in the front and the back side.  Add Seam allowance.  Mark your pattern accordingly then cut out.

Start cutting out your fabric.  When cutting the lining you want it a tad smaller than the lycra, so when it's wet, it doesn't slouch through and look like you hald toilet paper hangin from your bum.  So when you have cut out the lining just trim around all the edges about 1/4 inch.

Right sides together, sew the bottoms together at the crotch, repeat for the lining as well.  Then place the lining on the inside of the bottoms, fold and pin the crotch to the leg openings, folding over the lining.  The fold should be about the amount of your Seam allowance you added when making your pattern.


Using a zig zag stitch is best for this and youll notice on your old swim suits it is used, it stretches.



Then sew the sides Right sides together, then fold down the top and make your waist band.  You can add a little elastic here too if you want.  Remember this will stretch when it is wet so make sure the suit is a little snug when fitting it.


I then cut two long strips of the contrasting color to use as ties.  They don't serve a purpose, but I like the way they look.  I sewed them down so they won't go anywhere, then I tied them in a bow. 


TOP

Now for the cutest part!  the Top!.  Measure around your bust.  Take that number and minus 3 inches or so.  Then add room for seam allowance.  Measure from the top of your chest to under neath your bust to see how wide you need to make your bandeau top.  Cut Two contrasting fabrics with the proper measurements.



Add and sew the lining.  remember to make the lining slightly smaller.

wrap the peices around each other so the right colors are back together.

you will have two strips per color.  You need to match right sides together and sew a seam. sewing as close to the knot in the middle as possible so your boobies don't show :)


If you are using this as a bikini, add straps or a halter if you wish then just tie everything together in the back.

To add a Tankini:
Now measure under your bust right at the top of your rib cage take a way 3 inches then add seam allowance, Measure around where ever you want the bottom of your tank to hang.  Cut your fabric so the top portion gradually goes to the width of the bottom portion.  Cut the lining a few inches shorter than the waist of the tankini.
Now this next part can be tricky if your not paying attention.  Stack the swim suit fabric rights sides together, puting your front peice on top if your using contrasting colors, then lay the lining on top of that front peice.  Sew the sides together using a straight stitch.   Turn right side out.

Turn the top inside out and place right sides together of the tank to the top and sew using a zig zag stitch.  Carefully and slowly around the knot area.  Stop at the sides where you are tieing in the back.  You will the fold the top of the tank in the back over and make a hem.  Not sewing/attaching it to the ties.  Fold the bottom making a hem using a zig zag stitch, add your straps/halter and your done!  The bandaue was a little tricky when sewing to a tank, but other than that it was quite simple. 


**New alterations.  After swiming in my suit and seeing the stretch, I took in my bottoms on the sides another inch so they were a little more snug.  I added an underwire bra to my top by carefully hand sewing it in, for added support, plus the peach material was kind of see through when wet.  Luckily I was at a friends house and I was wearing padding inserts from another swimsuit, they were black, and yes you could see them on the peach side of the bust.  lol!  All is well aftger my alterations.  I have more fabric so I will be making more suits!!!!

Monday, July 23, 2012

DIY slouchy pocket t

One of my favorite shirts is a slouchy tank I have...well actually I have 4 in different colors.  Thats how I roll.  Any way.  I just made this quick refashioned T HERE and I decided that I wanted to make it more.  I love a slouchy pocket.  It helps hide my imperfections. 

cut a large square out of material or another shirt.


take it in a couple inches and gradually cut up to the corners.


Place it on your shirt but line it up so it makes a straight rectangle.  This will make it slouch.

Sew around the sides and bottom.
I can't wait to make more. 


Friday, July 20, 2012

boho pony tail

i have pinned many styles for curling hair so follow one of those how to's...i have been asked to show you how to curl with the flat iron so may be another day soon ill show you that.

today i parted my hair down the middle..curling my hair in large ssections from the middle of the section instead at the base or root.  this gives a more relaxed natural finish. then i pulled my hair to the side into a loose pony.  then split the hair making a whole and turned the pony upright and down through the whole.  this is also called a topsy tail.  a quick version of a french twist.  i then pulled peices loose and that was all.  ill be wearing this to the pool tomorrow!