DIY Sew: Patterned Shorts

 

To my pleasant surprise learning how to sew shorts was a lot easier than I imagined.  I did a quick google search "how to sew shorts without a pattern" and came across some helpful tips.  After a quick search of my dresser I emerged with a decent fitting pair of shorts (to be used to create my pattern), and then proceeded to scour my apartment for the remaining supplies: scissors, paper bag (for tracing the pattern on), pen, fabric chalk, zipper, fabric (in my case table cloth), and of course my trusty sewing machine. The entire process probably took about an hour or so, but I'm convinced it was just because it was my first time (I sewed up a second pair the next day and they came together in a half hour!)
Follow along with the steps below to sew up a pair of your own.

For further tips on installing darts and an exposed zipper, check out this tutorial.

Inspiration: Patterned Shorts

       Check out my pin board here

I saw these inspiring pins of patterned shorts floating around pinterest, and they got me thinking.  It's about time to figure out how to sew up some shorts of my own.  I love all the flashy/bright prints; I'm thinking I can try out my own pair with the table cloth remnants from my latest skirt; what do you think?

DIY Dip Dye

 

 

This weekend I was finally able to try out dip dying! A group of friends and I went out to Fire Island and had a relaxing, lazy, wonderful time, and even found some time to be crafty.

 

The entire process was beyond easy, all you need is a large bowl, water, something to dye and some dye (we used purple RIT dye).

 

First thing's first, pour some lukewarm water into a large bowl:

 

 

Then, pour the contents of the dye into the bowl and stir for a minute

 

Next, prep your shirt (or any other item you're dying) by rinsing in warm water, ring out; then dip into dye.

Depending on how dark you want the dye on your shirt will determine how long you hold the shirt in the dye; I dipped for only about 2 minutes

 

 

Pull your shirt out of the dye, and spray with a hose until the water runs clear

 

 

 

Last, hang to dry!

 



DIY Sew: Front Tie Tee Shirt Refashion

I'm loving the casual look of tied shirts; recently when thinking about how to revamp some old gym shirts I thought why not try to make one myself.

I have this old target tie front shirt that I used for inspiration/pattern:

First, I set out my t-shirt inside out:

Next, I used the target shirt as a pattern and traced the bottom onto the t-shirt

From here, I cut off the neck, a few inches off the sleeves, and the bottom pieces out:

Fold back neck, sleeves, and waist 1/2'', pin, and sew

and that's it!

DIY Sew: Patterned Skirt w/ Invisible Zipper

One of the greatest parts about working at my job (in advertising) is the dress code: casual.  It's great not to have to buy professional clothing for everyday use.  However, every year in May I have a bunch of presentations that I have to dress up for.  Instead of purchasing new clothes for the presentations, I decided to make a few new skirts this year.

I came across this awesome fabric (below) at home goods (it's actually a tablecloth); I thought it would be great for a pencil skirt.

I followed my pencil skirt tutorial, but decided to do an invisible zipper instead of an exposed zipper.

Installing the invisible zipper:

When you are ready to sew the front and back sides of the skirt together, place both pieces together (good sides touching); now, decide which side of your skirt you want the zipper to be on, you will sew up this side first. Begin sewing your zipper side starting at the waist; use a long straight stitch for the first 7 inches, then backstitch 1/2 inch, adjust the stitch to a shorter length and then finish sewing the side of the skirt together.

Iron open the seam

Place zipper on top fo the seam and pin the right side of the zipper onto the right side of the seam allowance

Using the zipper foot on your machine start at the waist, and sew the left side of the zipper onto the left seam allowance only, stitch across the bottom of the zipper, and then sew up the right side of the zipper onto the right seam allowance only

Turn your skirt over (the good side should be facing up)

Take your seam ripper and start at the waist and move 6 1/2 inches down, gently pull out the thread until you can see the whole zipper.

When you can easily zip and unzip the zipper you are done with the install.

Now, continue with my skirt tutorial, and sew up the other side of the skirt, hem, and that's it!

DIY Sew: Dress Resizing

 

I snatched this j.crew dress off the sale rack two years ago, and even though it was a little too big, I still decided to purchase it.  I must admit it has gotten some use on the beach, but instead of looking like a cute summer dress, it was looking more like a potato sack on me. 

I decided it was time for me to try out resizing and breathe new life into this dress.

How hard could it be?

 

Here's what I did:

I set out the dress inside out:

 

 

Then placed a form fitting dress on top:

 

 

Leaving some room for seam allowance, I traced and cut.  After cutting, I also pulled the drawstring out of the back of the dress only (I left the two front strings in place):

 

 

The last step was to pin up the sides and sew:

 

 

..and that's it; a quick 15 minute fix!