Monday, September 30, 2013

T-shirt Tank Dress DIY-Chanel Inspired

Coco Chanel is one of my favorite designers, hands down. Sadly, she's gone now, but her label lives on and has continued to be one of the most sought after designer labels of our time.   If she were alive, I would stalk her.  Crazy, but true!  I love that she was the first to use knit fabrics in every day wear and that she weighted her suits with chain inside the hem so that they would always look perfect.  This week I've created a Chanel inspired tank dress with chains and pearls to honor Coco Chanel.  I'm also giving away a Singer ViVO sewing machine if you comment on my video!  Enjoy the project and make sure to leave a comment, OK.


The how-to video 
 Here's what you'll need
Sewing machine
2 tank tops
Scissors
Straight pins
4 pieces of 18" long 3/4" wide ribbon
Matching thread
Chains and pearl trim
Sewing needles
1.  Cut the tank top that you're using for the lower part of your dress in a straight line from underarm to underarm.
2.  Cut the hem off of the tank top that you're using for the upper part of the dress.
3.  Turn the lower half inside out, stuff the upper half inside and match the raw edges together.  Match the side seams if there are side seams.  Many tank tops do not have side seams.
4.  Pin all the way around.
5.  While you stretch the fabric, stitch the two tanks together using 1/2" seam allowance.  Stitch around twice! 
 See how stretchy it is now!? 
 6.  Cut your upper tank across the shoulder seam.
7.  Cut 3" off the front straps of the tank.
8.  Cut 1/2" off of the back straps of the tank.
9.  On the front of the tank, place the ribbon on the cut strap. 
10.  Fold the sides of the strap over the ribbon and pin in place.
11.  Repeat on all 4 straps.
12.  Stitch over the folded strap using 1/2" seam allowance.

13.  Pull the ribbon out of the strap to expose a finished seam. 
 
 Stop here if you want a simple dress with ribbon ties......OR.......
14.  Stitch several rows of chain and pearl trim right under the ribbon strap. 
You're done!
Sexy-Smart!  Great with a blazer, too.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Rockabilly Necktie with Lesley Riley's TAP!

I love a good heat transfer project and this one rocks!  I made it in honor of my dad who had vintage 1950's pin-up calendars in the back of his car shop when I was a kid.  He even had a necktie with a pin-up girl printed on the inside!  For this project I used the BEST product around for home printer heat transfers......It's Lesley Riley's TAP (Transfer Artist Paper) from C&T Publishing, and it's amazing.  You can heat transfer on to anything!  BTW, if you want to win some, just leave a comment on my video in the comment section and you'll be entered, OK!  Good luck!


Here's the how-to video
My dad had these all over his office wall! 
Today's Rockabilly looks inspired by the 1950's
You'll need:
Pin-up images
Light color necktie
Scissors
Iron
Home printer/copy machine 
Load a sheet of TAP in your copier 
 Print out your pin-up
 Place the tie on the image and trace around it
Cut out your tie shape 
 Make sure it fits on the tie.  Cut it a bit smaller than the tie so that none of the edges are hanging over the edge of the tie
 Trim off any excess white and around your image
Position it on the tie 
Press and peel according to the directions on the TAP package

Thursday, September 19, 2013

5 Terrific DIY Projects!

It’s Thurs-DIY and time to see what my friends, Margot, Jade, Heather, Cathie and Kathy have been up to! 5 terrific projects this week, so hop around and see what inspires you, OK. Make sure to say hello from me! 

My crafty BFF (CBFF) Margot Potter
 shows you how to make some fab Vintage Tabletop Décor. This project would work for every holiday!http://ilovetocreateblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/retro-halloween-tabletop-decor.html

Cathie Filian shows you several different ways to jazz up your pumpkins this fall and each one is better than the next!
Cathie Filian. http://youtu.be/9ss3DtJZx8Y

Jader Bomb shows you how to jazz up your sneakers in no time. Now they’re not so sneaky! http://ilovetocreateblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/how-to-make-faux-beaded-sneakers.html

Heather Mann gives a mirror some Anthropology magic on her blog Dollar Store Crafts. http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2013/09/tutorial-anthropologie-inspired-mirror/

Just in case you missed it earlier in the week, I’m showing you how to create an iPad Clutch. A snazzy handbag that can be used for either a clutch or an iPad case….It’s up to you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI9TJhxLHzY

Monday, September 9, 2013

INSTAGRAM CHARM BRACELET DIY!

INSTAGRAM CHARM BRACELET
Instead of just keeping those photo in your phone, why not print them out and create something you can wear?  This Instagram charm bracelet is the perfect way to show of your life and keep your memories with you.  Add rhinestones or a little glitter and you've got something magical.  Make sure to check out the video and subscribe to my YouTube channel.  I have a new DIY video every Saturday morning.  Like cartoons, but better! 

Here's the video if you want to see how it's done
With a few more gems...
YOU'LL NEED
Xyron Creative Station (OR glue or sticker paper)
Print out of Instagram photos on regular paper
Mod Podge Dimensional Magic
Stick on gems
Hole punch
Chain bracelet 
Jump rings
Wax paper
Cereal box cardboard
Scissors 
Cut out sheets of your photos that are about post card size 
 Run them through a Xyron Creative Station (this machine turns anything into a sticker) or glue them to cardboard OR print them on sticker paper
 Stick them on your cardboard
Cut them out 
 Add holes to each one
Apply your sticky back gems (or glue them on) 

Spread out some wax paper 
 Coat all of your pieces with Dimensional Magic

When the top is dry, flip them over and coat the back 
 Add the charms to a chain bracelet
Keep adding until you're happy with the way it looks 
You're done!