Projects for the Future

Im thinking of Melbourne Cup Day and one hellova unique fascinator

By adding lace to a cardigan it instantly adds the cute factor. It doesnt take long either

Tulip skirts are hot and are simple to make. There is a leather look envelope skirt online that I really want to make

Bib necklaces and peter pan collars will always be a favourite of mine. Cant wait to make more

Not sure whether these are kids dresses or adult tops. They are so cute! Im definitely going to make a version for myself

More peplum belts and I love the draped sleeved shirt

The most amazing thing ive seen lately. Will definitely make one of these

I dont know what it is about this oversized shirt dress but I love it. I will make it in a more current fabric

More embellishing.... *drools*

Adding lace to anything makes it cute!!!

Project Gold Shirt

The Inspiration:

I saw Delta Goodrem wear this on The Voice and I instantly knew I wanted to make this. It looks on trend with the metallic finish but also very rockstar-ish with the shoulder detail. I wanted it bad, and I wasnt going to go out and buy it as it wouldve taken my entire paycheck. So, with another trip to my beloved Spotlight, i went and purchased gold fabric which was only $11 a meter. I bought 1.5m so that I had room for error.

The Result. My very own gold shirt 

Components required:

• 1.5m of gold or any metallic fabric. (this one had a tiny bit of stretch)
• Sewing machine
• Measuring tape
• Dressmaking chalk/pencil
• Scissors
• Pins
• Shift dress to trace (or a pattern for a large shirt. All the sleeve detailing was free hand)

TIME TAKEN:

1.5 hours

Directions:

1. Lay the fabric out and fold in half.
2. Trace the large shirt pattern or the shift dress to desired length of top. Do the arms separately.
3. Pin together and cut along the lines.
4. Hem all the pieces except for where the fabric will join (arms)
5. Measure your arms. You want the elbow to wrist of the shirt tight and the shoulders puffy.
6. Measure from shoulder to elbow and keep the fabric the same size as the shirt/pattern.
7. Draw how narrow you would like the forearms and pin. Cut, then sew.
8. Because of the uneven-ness (is that a word) of the arm fabric, it will naturally gather and puff up. No need to do any extra sewing.
9. Put the shirt on (should be 99% ready). If the shirt is too loose in the chest area or needs more structure. Add darts like I did.

You feel a little like C3PO when you wear it, but enjoy it!

Collar Embellishment

Ever since I saw my first embellished collar I almost had a brain embolism. It was like a necklace and a shirt rolled into one! I was obsessed (and still are!)

A simple collared shirt made awesome with bead work

 There are many shirts out there at the moment ranging from $15 to god knows what and there are also collared necklaces which you can wear with any old shirt to spice it up or change your style.

Obsessed....

I was going through old clothes in my wardrobe and I spotted a pale blue shirt that I was made to wear for work at my old job. I grabbed a pair of scissors and cut the collar right off! At Spotlight they had 30% off, so I was pretty happy when my large purchase of assorted pearls and jewelry add ons was only $15. $15 for a pearl embellished one of a kind necklace? YES PLEASE

This is what ive done so far. Ive been busy with other commitments (and other projects hehe) so ive only managed to bead one side.

All the components ready to rumble

Components required:

• Pearl beads or any beads of desired size and colour. (i bought 2 packets of each but i think i may need more...)
• Any other cool things you would like on there. Items such as diamontes or even the tassles i purchased from a DIY jewelry range. ($4 for two)
• A pre made collar off an old shirt or even a DIY sewn collar
• Matching thread
• Needle
• Scissors (to cut the collar off the shirt and to cut the thread as you go along)

What I have done so far

I have used both charcoal beads (they have a blue tinge and go nice with the collar) and classic white. I cant wait to see what it looks like in the end.

I also intend on replacing the button with a large over the top brooch or antique button. Should look awesome by the end of it :)

BIB COLLARS

Bib Collars are all the rage at the moment. To have anything statement piece that is both your personality and budget, you have to make one yourself. All I did was free hand draw using a dressmaking pencil how big I wanted it and the shape I wanted too. Dont forget to draw "wings" on the side so that you can sew the rings on for the chain/ribbon. 

Just a mock up of what I did:

Materials:

Beads

Glue on diamontes

Vintage look gold buttons

Felt

Jewel Glue

I bought all of the materials except the felt from Ebay. So cheap!

The result...

Before I filled the gaps with glue on diamontes

Finished! Everyone loved it and didnt believe that it was handmade and cheap!

Project Snake Print Peplum Belt

from camilleco.com

Peplum belts are all the rage at the moment. They can transform any outfit and any boring looking top with a splash of colour or a funky print. I made this bad boy for Wild Wednesday at work (my department wear animal print on wednesdays - so fun!). There is a pattern available on the internet by very crafty people, but as I love to make my own clothes custom to my shape and size, I drew it freestyle and measured what was needed. I have a short torso, wide hips and long legs. When I measure and cut, it is to flatter my shape. This is why its important (pattern or not) to measure yourself. If youre making these for sale, you dont have to worry about it. But if its for yourself and you want to love it, make it customised as much as possible.

These belts can range anything from single fabric ones ($30) to the expensive high end ($400+!!!!!)

If you are like me and dont have money to just throw around on clothing, I suggest you follow these easy steps and you will have a range of cool belts to suit anything! All of my materials only cost $15.

The finished product... i love it!

Components:

• Sewing machine
• 1 meter of non stretch fabric. (i used a fabric called Leatherette in Snake print. I grabbed it as soon as i saw it. Lucky for me, Spotlight had a sale on and the fabric cost $14/m)
• Matching thread and bobbin
• Measuring tape
• Pins
• Dressmakers chalk/pencil
• Scissors

TIME TAKEN: 30 minutes

Directions:

1. Measure your waist.
2. Fold fabric in half, and then halfways once more.
3. The top right hand corner (should have no seams) is your waist. Draw a semi circle. The length of the line cut should be 1/4 of your waist circumference. 
4. From this line, measure however long you would like the peplum. I did 50cm, as i wanted it to be mid buttock length. Draw the 1/4 circle line, keeping it the measurement that you want from the waist line.
5. Unfold the fabric. you should get a perfect circle with a whole cut out the centre. This whole should be the size of your waist.
6. Hem the edges.
7. Cut into the circle with whatever size you would like the back opening. I cut away about 100mm. Hem
8. With a small remnant of the fabric. Measure out the length of your waist plus 200mm. This will be what you attach the press studs to for closure.
9. Sew the waist band onto the peplum.
10. Measure out a couple of widths on the band and attach the press studs.

This is what I made up from scratch and I made a few adjustments here and there to suit my body type

I plan on making many more of these. Maybe even venture out to the world of leather and feather hehe

HAVE FUN!

Project Polka Peplum

Peplum is everywhere! It is extremely flattering on most body types as it hides bumps (and food babies hehe) and also can add curves to you, especially if you have a column body type. I own about 4 peplum tops and 2 peplum dresses. They are awesome on a night out as its forgiving after a carby/champagne dinner and also gives you a feminine silhouette without really trying.

This was the first item of clothing that I made on the sewing machine. After not touching a machine in 13 years, I think I did an ok job. Lucky for me, not only was the lycra fabric forgiving for my shocking hem work, but it was also $5 a meter on sale. I did not use a pattern, however, I did trace a singlet that i wear all the time as it fits me perfectly.

The Completed Job

Components needed:

• Sewing machine
• 1 meter of lycra/stretch fabric of choice. (i used a sports/dance style fabric)
• Matching thread and bobbin
• Dressmaker's chalk/pencil
• Scissors
• Singlet to trace (make sure the singlet is one of your favorite fitting ones)
• Measuring tape
• pins
• Patience (hahaha i needed this a lot)

TOTAL TIME: 1 hour

Directions:

1. Start by laying the fabric out on sufficient table/floor space. Fold the fabric in half. The fabric that I purchased was 1.5m wide, so all i needed to purchase was a meter.
2. Lay your favourite stretch singlet on top of the fabric.
3. Pin in place
4. Trace allowing 10mm around the edges. Stop mid section. (you dont need to trace the entire singlet as it will be finished with peplum hem)
5. Cut on the drawn lines
6. Lay the bottom of the cutout onto fabric not being used. Use the bottom of the cutout to determine the width of the peplum. 
7. Measure your waist and make sure that it till fit you snug. 
8. Depending on the length of your torso, and the number of peplum you like (i chose two) measure the length down on the fabric. I measured and cut 300mm. 
9. On the sewing machine, them the neckline and the arm holes of the cut out fabric. Also hem the bottoms of the peplum/s. 
10. Pin the first peplum to to the hem of the singlet cutout and sew together. About 50mm under the bust, pin the next peplum and sew. You can cut the singlet again so you have a hidden seam, but i sewed the last peplum on with an exposed hemline. The fabric was thin enough and i kept the sew line small and neat, so it isnt obvious. 
11. Enjoy your new top. I have possibly worn this about 10 times since sewing it last week. I am in love with my new sewing machine and I cannot wait to show you what else I put together.

I had enough remaining fabric to make a matching skirt. The skirt is so cute on its own or you can put the two together and instant dress! I simply folded over the fabric and traced a stretch fabric mini skirt that I own and know fits me well. As the skirt i traced was rather short, i added an extra 200mm to the bottom so that it was knee length.

Instant dress

Have fun! I'd like to hear how you go with this project and if you used other materials. I'm thinking of making a peplum top like this but with lace hems. I think it would be cute!

WILD WEDNESDAY'S PEPLUM SKIRT

Using the skills I obtained making the tube skirt, I simply made a peplum using the cut out method as seen below and sewed it on.