DIY Summer Shorts (From an Existing Pair)

Good morning loves!!!

I have a ton of posts today to catch up after much needed spring cleaning and "me" time.  First up... My 3'fer summer shorts inspired by a pair of platic island sequin shorts. several years ago Here

 

I created a youtube video on the construction as well (below) and here

 

 

My yellow jacket is M6844 with a 3 inch peplum.  The Orange Jacket is M6902 without the peplum or collar, and finally the print jacket is M6902 view D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are pictures of the process that I took in case I bombed the tutorial :)

 

 

Below is how I constructed the pocket and added the zipper

 

 

 

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DIY Floral Jeans M6756 Altered

Happy Friday everyone!!!

 

On last night I completed my very first pair of jeans.  I must say, I have a ton of respect for people that sew garments for a living.  Anyone who khows me knows I am pretty much a jeans fanatic.  I own in the neighborhood of 50 pairs and cater my diet to fitting into them (not always successful though).  Jeans are the hardest thing for me to donate but I try.

 

While I could have very well used M6610 to complete this garment, I could not find it to save my life! (I am 100% sure Ive purchased it in the past).

 

Instead, I used M6756 view A, drafted it into a straight leg pant and removed 2 inches from the front to take away the high waist. 

 

 

Have you ever took a closer look at your jeans?  For my inspiration, I used a pair of hudson jeans and I duplicated all of the seams.... (note: you may want to cut your pants one size larger to accomodate for those seams).

 

 

 

I purchased the fabric from Fabricmartfabrics.com on sale for $1 per yard (no longer available).  While the fabric was cotton, it was not denim.  It has the thickness of denim and it why I decided to make my first pair of jeans.  Now I feel confident to cut into my designer denim fabric :).

 

I hope you like them!

 

Muah

- J

 

 

 

 

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DIY Quick and Easy 5 Piece Pencil Skirt

Hello there!

Very quickly I wanted to post this skirt using my pencil skirt technique which you can fine an infinate sources for on youtube.  For this version, I simply reduced the sides of my front by 3 inches and my back by 1 inch.  Then I created the middle side piece 6 inches wide with a diagonal hem from the front to the back of the skirt.  The front of the skirt is 10 inches shorter than the back. 

My apologies on not have much more instructions than that. This was "thrown" together fairly quickly.

Muah!!!

 

 

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DIY Suit with Layered Sleeves

Hello Loves!

I worked on this suit for about 2 weeks.  Sometimes you have to walk away from a project and come back with fresh eyes.  This was definately the case with this suit.  I dont like creating blazers... it is no secret to anyone that knows me.  On top of that, I wanted to create this horizontal pleat that I am in love with and cannot wait to incorporate into a leather jacket at the end of the year.  With all that said... this one took me through the ringer.

My fabric is denim and I continue to purchase this same fabric over and over again (same as my origami skirt) as I continue to run into it on the red tag isle at Joanns.  The day they have a red tag sale I should probably just buy the rest of it!

I used McCalls Pattern M6902 View D for the Jacket and Simplicity Pattern 1696 for my pants.  1696 is an amazing fit pattern that I attempted for the very first time.  Since I will be wearing this to work, I wasnt disapointed in my fit not being so "amazing" HA!

For my sleeves I cut my sleeve patter and placed on top of my pattern,  THEN I began to fold and pin my pleats.  Once done, I cut my sleeve out and continued sewing both the jacket and pants according the pattern instructions... I will definately be attempting this again.  Next time I am thinking of reinforcing the pleats with stitches.

 

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DIY Casual Jumper in White

Here is the other jumper I created last week.

This one is a bit hard to explain.  I purchased this fabric from JoAnns (Jersey Knit) and I drafted this pattern from another jumper I had.  I was happy with the way it turned out!

After drafting my bodice I needed to connect the spaghetti straps.  I also created facing for the bodice since this fabric was rather thin.

 

Once my front was completed I measure and made marking on there I needed to attached my spaghetti straps to my back piece and facing.  (this made my head hurt a little bit) lol.

 

Once this was completed I simply consructed the pants and attached with an invisible elastic waistband using a 1 inch and 1/4 hem placing the elastic on the inside.

 

 

Next, cut and insert the elastic for the bottom of the pants and I was done!

 

I pumped this out rather fast... while its not fancy by any means its definately great for a casual spring/summer day!

 

 

 

Muah

-J

 

 

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DIY Halter Jumper

Hello Again!

I created this halter jumper last week and wanted to share with you. 

I created my blue jumper using Cobalt Double Knit Fabric purchased Here



For my blue jumper I used the bottom of McCalls patter M6083 and draped the top as per below:

 

 

Once I draped my fabric on one side, I folded it in have and duplicated the pattern and added the hem for my strap.  I created the strap using a 1.5 inch strip of fabric folded and sewn at the edges and turned outside in.

 

Once this was completed I constructed the bottom portion of M6083 and attached creating a 1 inch elastic at the tip of the pant and sewing the halter to the inside of the pant at the hem line.

 

To provide more support, I added an elastic band to the back as well.

 

Hope you like!

 

 

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DIY Contrasting Stripes Maxi Dress

Good morning Loves!

So I was scanning my IG yesterday and came accross a beautiful maxi and decided to make a version of my own...I have been holding on to this striped fabric for a couple weeks after learning it only had stretch vertically and figured this dress would be the perfect purpose!

I purchased the fabric here

The fabric is a double knit with just enough weight to flow with grace and enough thickness eliminate any lining.

Here is my inspiration.  You can also purchase this dress from Fondrens Fashion House at 601-362-9090 if you dont feel like making it :) I dont have an idea of the cost.

The first thing I did was create my bodice and waist out of muslin.  You can use a tank top to accomplish this as well...

 

I cut out my frint bodice first. To accmplish the correct lining of your stripes.  decide on a direction for your first piece and duplicate it to your other cutting with right sides together with the stripes perfectly aligned as per below.

 

 

easy peasy huh?  I had to do this twice :). 

 

Next I cut my triangle waist....For measurement purposses I used the width of my bodice.  Again I aligned my front peice to my back with right sides together and stripes perfectly aligned.

 

 

Next the hip to knee piece.  I measured how long I wanted this area to be based on the inspiration pic.  For m this was about 16 inches.  I placed my waist cut outs on top of my fabric and cut out this piece using my waist cut out as my guide for sizing...  Which ever measurement you choose, you want to make your markings according tot he waist cut out piece to create the asymetrical line.  For me, this was 16 inches from the highest part of the right side and 16 inches from the lowest point of the left side.  Dont forget to cut your fabric at the top according to the waist cut out piece.  Below is a pick of the hip cut out. Its turned the wrong way (the back is on top)

 

 

Next you need to measure how long you want this dress to be from the highest point of your hip cut out to the floor.  for me, this was about 34 inches (I wish I would have added more).

 

I cut this piece in a triangle using the widest part of my remaining fabric and aligned the top to my hip cut out piece.

 

 

Next sew your items together starting from the bottom to the top (my preference)

 

 

Now.... you are going to do plenty of fitting to this garment.  I decided to sew the front and back pieces together first, try the dress on and decide what adjustments needed to be made.  I believe this is the simplist way to do this especially if you are new to sewing!  This is a maxi dress and I didnt want it tight, but the placement of these stripes does dress it up a bit.  I am thinking I may take it in a bit more before I wear this for the first time.

 

Hope you like!!!!

 

Muah

-J

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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