MMJ day 14: Simple embelished top

The sun is out today, and I am feeling much better. The BBC weather report says its going to be nice this week, but Thursday will have some showers.  So for now, I am enjoying this sunshine.

This morning, I decided to embelish my top, and give it a different look. I have not really felt like sewing lately, so I thought I should just do a refashion, and save myself all the headache. So here goes:

1. You will need an old top or new one, depending on your personal tastes.
2. A purchased embelishment. You can make one yourself if you are so inclined.
3. Matching thread and a needle



Lay your top down




Take your embellishment






Place it on your top, re-arranging it until you are satisifed with the placement.




Handsew it in place and trim the excess tulle



Wear it to work, and be proud of yourself !!!

I know its a lazy man project, but I like it. Its suitable for days when you really want a new outfit, but you don't want to go through all the hassle of making one from scratch.

Have a nice day everyone.

2 hours well spent

Yesterday after work I decided to do an inventory of things I would wear during Me Made June.

SHOCK ATTACK!!

Not only did I not have up to 10 things I'd consider wearing to work, I realised I did not have any me made skirts. At this rate, I run the risk of going 7 outfits for a whole month. Not a pleasant  thought.

So, like any self-respecting sewist, I hit the blogosphere to find inspiration for a quick skirt project. I decided on a gathered skirt with an elastic waist inspired by Alli, of One Pearl Button. The drafting instructions are here, on Grosgrainfabulous . The good thing about this apart from being quick to sew, was the fact that it does not have a zip, my nemesis.



Skirt getting ready to go to work



Skirt helping me make mincemeat of pivot tables at work


There were two issues I had with making this.

1) I did not have an old skirt or dress as the instructions called for, so I had to do some calculations of my own, and come up with a gathered skirt.

2) The skirt does not have pockets, but I wanted my skirt to have a pocket, so I had to modify it somewhat.

What did I do?

1. I measured my wasit = 30"
2. I measured the length I wanted my skirt to be = 25" ( including 1" hem allowance)
3. I used my waist measurement to cut my elastic band. = 30"
4. Then I added 10" to my waist measurement, and and cut two pieces of fabric with that measurement = 2 seperate pieces of 40" width by 25" length
5. Then I cut four pockets using the pocket pattern from the simplicity pattern I used for my green dress
6. With right sides together, I joined the pockets to each side of my skirt front and back pieces.
7. Then I joined the front and back pieces together and overlocked the edges ( if you don't have an overlocker or overlocker foot, you can use a zig-zag stitch, or finish the seams using french seam or any other seam finishing techniques.
8. I stitched two lines round the waist, using long machine basting stitches, and gathered the skirt.
9. I stitiched the edges of the elastic band together, and pinned it to the skirt, right sides together.
10. I used a zig-zag stitch to attach the skirt to the elastic.
11. Press your skirt, and job done.

Not much of a tutorial. I don't consider this a tutorial as I did not come up with the idea, but adapted Alli's method, to suit my needs. I hope I can make more easy skirts in time for June.

Now this is completely random, but I noticed coke has joined the vintage bandwagon. I'm addicted to coke, and its nice to know that it is going all retro too.

enjoy your day,

xoxo,

Dibs