Sunday, September 30, 2012

Crochet: Detachable 30 Minute Peter Pan Collar



Inspiration:
 



I know I'm kind of late on the bandwagon here, but I'm absolutely loving the peter pan collar trend.  I figured the easiest way to recreate one would be to crochet.  As per usual I took to google and pinterest to see if there was a free pattern already in existence, and sure enough there was! I read over a few patterns and ultimately ended up making up my own.  See below for pattern.

Materials:
yarn
crochet hook (size k)
darning needle
scissors
tape measure
faux pearl bead

Pattern:
Make a slipknot
Chain until you reach desired length (I chained 60) (To determine desired length I took a tape measure and wrapped it around my neck)
2nd row: DC (double crochet) in 4th chain from the hook, dc in every stitch after
3rd row: chain 3, dc in 1st stitch *skip 2 stitches, 4 dc in 3rd stitch* repeat *to* until you have one stitch left, in last stitch 2 dc
4th row: repeat 3rd row, except for the last stitch, in last stitch dc
Finishing: using your darning needle weave in ends, leave a few inches of yarn, thread the pearl bead and weave in the remaining yarn







Monday, September 24, 2012

DIY T-shirt Refashion: Peplum




I've been seeing peplum shirts everywhere lately, and I'm dying to get my hands on a few.  Unfortunately every time I try one on the peplum doesn't seem long enough, and I end up with a belly shirt (not cute!).  I decided there was no other way to get exactly what I wanted then to make it myself.  Now.. how do I do that?
I set out to see if any fellow crafters have already attempted the peplum without a pattern, and sure enough many have!  I found this tutorial to be the best!

I started out with two shirts I never wear, the first one a fitted stretch tee, that I don't wear because it's too fitted at the tummy, and the second a large baggy tee:


First I tried on the fitted tee and decided where I wanted the peplum to start, I decided right above the navel, so I marked there.  I then took a ruler and marked across the entire shirt

cut
I tried the top on again and then using a measuring tape I decided how long I wanted the peplum to be; 8" seemed to be just the right length for me, allowing the pelum to fall just over the top of my jeans.
I took the baggy shirt, laid it out, I measured 8" from the bottom and marked across, then cut


I was left with these two pieces
Now, to attach them, I turned the bottom portion inside out (the hem should be at the top), and I slipped the top part of the shirt into the bottom, and pinned all the way around
Using a straight stitch I sewed all the way around, and that's it!
Fold down!