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.

Two NEW videos to check out!

Today I'm launching a special Make Your Mark! video to celebrate OZ The Great and Powerful.  I'm also running a contest in the video in which you can win tons of great craft supplies, Glitter Blast from Krylon and a Creative Options bead organizer!  

This video is all about sewing two coats together to create a long coat.  I've been making these for years, but finally got it on Youtube so you can make them, too!

Here's the finished version!

Check out how I made it here!

In case you missed it last week, I also made tiny hats from bottle caps!

I put them on bobby pins so that you can wear them in your hair.

Here's how to make them!

Have a terrific day!  

Leave a comment and say hello, OK.

Recycled "I HEART YOU" Garlands

It's true, I have a hard time tossing out old magazines.  Stacks of magazines make me sad because I know that they could become everything from bowls of paper beads, a super cool collage or even a Valentine's Day"I HEART YOU" Garland.  For my Valentine's Day party this year, I'm decorating with tons of garlands made from magazine pages and a few pieces of red paper.  Instead of buying tons of glitter hearts and pink streamers I'm going to use what I have to make the party magical.  Even if you're having a small dinner for two, these paper garlands will make the night a little more special.  Just don't get them too close to your candles.  Happy Valentine's Day!

Garlands on my patio (Sounds like a country song)

Here's the video

Here's the quick how-to

A little up close shot

YOU'LL NEED

Scissors

Red paper

Magazine pages

Sewing machine

Red thread (if you have it)

Rip out a stack of 5 pages 

Cut them in half 

Fold the stack of 5 pages in half 

Cut out stacks of stars 

Cut out small stars from the red paper 

Alternate stitching red hearts and stacks of hearts  

Finish with 3 red hearts for your tail

Fold open the stacks of hearts to give them dimension and then hang.

If you really want some fun recycled paper crafts, grab a copy of  my book 

PULP FICTION: PERFECT PAPER PROJECTS 2ND EDITION!

JUST GLOVELY!

Not sure if you know this (probably) but I really dig the 99c store.  When I used to ride a motorcycle (ok, scooter) I had about 50 pairs of knit gloves in the seat storage because my hands were always cold.   Plus, it's just a good idea to wear gloves when you ride.  In THE BIG ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS 2 I used those 99c store gloves for an entire chapter and this project is one of them.  Just because your knit gloves cost 99c, doesn't mean they can't look like that cost a fortune, right?!  

Here's what we're making!

Here's the how-to video (You're gonna luv it!)

Here's what you'll need:

Sewing machine

Matching thread

99c store knit gloves

Matching fabric (I used wool)

Scissors

Iron

Cut 2 pieces of fabric 12" x 18"

Fold one in half (matching the 12" edges) and stitch across it using 1/2" seam allowance

Fold it in half and press

Insert the glove matching the raw edges of the folded fabric to the cuff of the knit glove

Stretch the glove and stitch the cuff of the glove to the edge of your fabric

Turn right side out and repeat!

Love them!

From THE BIG ASS BOOK OF CRAFTS 2!

MAKE YOUR OWN BOXERS, BABY!

I sleep in boxers every night and I love it! Especially soft cotton boxer shorts which are harder and harder to find!  I decided it was time to start making my own with cotton fabric that I liked and it was surprisingly easier than I thought!  Here's the down low on how to make your own boxers. A great gift idea and a nice alternative to full length pajama bottoms.

My fancy boxers just hanging out there for the whole world to see!

Here's the DIY video

 You'll need:

Old pair of boxers to take apart for a pattern

Sewing machine with zigzag capability

1 yard of fabric per pair

Scissors

Fiskars pinking shears

Fabric marker

2" wide ruler

Straight pins

1" wide elastic to go around your waist

Matching thread

Iron

 Cut down the center front and up the center back of the old boxers shorts, right on the seam

On one half, cut up the inseam (the leg seam) 

 Cut off the elastic right at the stitch line as shown

Press your pattern and place it on your folded fabric

Trace around your pattern like this:

2" across the top where the waist band is,

1/2 around the center front seam (crotch seam) and center back seam (butt seam) and down the leg seams,

1" across the hem.

When it's marked, carefully cut it out.  You will be cutting two layers of fabric.

 Measure the elastic for the waist band and add 1"

 Stitch the waist band in a loop to create a big rubber band.

With the right sides of the fabric together and using 1/2" seam allowance, stitch down the center front and center back of the boxers. 

Pink the edges after you've sewn them. 

 Line up the inseam and stitch across using 1/2" seam allowance

Trim with the pinking shears

Evenly pin the elastic around the waist of the boxers. 

 Stretch the elastic and zigzag it to the top of the boxers all the way around.

Fold the stitched elastic inside 

 Stitch all the way around again using a zigzag stitch while you stretch the elastic.

Turn your hem in 1/2" and then another 1/2" and straight stitch around each leg.  This is called a turn and turn hem.

You're done!