j crew skirt knock off

6.17.2010
Here is the second item in the outfit we are recreating from J Crew's crew cuts for kids. This tulle skirt is so adorable and super simple to make. This project from start to finish takes about 30-60 minutes and costs under $5 (compare to the 32.50 retail).
Gather your supplies. Here is what you'll need:
1/2 in. wide elastic- 20-26 in. depending on waist size
knit fabric for the underskirt- 3/8 yd. (I used some kind of knit that didn't stretch much in the knit section at Joann's. You could also repurpose a knit tee of your own)
tulle fabric for the ruffles- 3/8 yd. (I found this cute stretchy dot tulle in the clearance at Joann's - always check there first for fabric up to 75% off)
coordinating thread
Let's get started! First make sure your fabric is folded over so that you can cut 2 pieces. You will measure the child's waist and add 5-6 inches.
measurement 1
So for a 20 inch waist you will do 26 inches. Divide that number in half. Then add 1 inch (seam allowance). So I will have 13 + 1 = 14 in. That is my measurement for the top (measurement 1). Draw a straight line at the top of the fabric in the amount of this measurement. So my example would be 14 in.
measurement 2
The lenght of the skirt + 1 inch is measurement 2. (I wanted my skirt 10 inches, so I just added 1 inch. ) My measurement 2 example would be 11 inches.
2.) Start at the top center of your skirt and go down as many inches as is your measurement 2. So for mine I went down 11 inches. Then make a mark. Put a ruler down and mark this line for the bottom of your skirt. You will go out 1 1/2 inches further than the top measurement on each side. Please refer to the picture above. This will make your skirt flare a bit. To connect the lines, just use your ruler to connect the top and bottom lines.
Now you are ready to cut your fabric out. Remember that your fabric should be folded, so you will be cutting two skirt pieces. Now with wrong sides of fabric together, sew your side seams using 1/2 inch seam allowance. Now press your seams, serge or snip 1/8 away from seam.
With skirt still inside out, fold the top of skirt down 1 inch (all the way around) and press as you go. Now open up and fold 1/4 inch down and press under. (See pic below) Pin and sew close to edge.
Make sure you leave a 2 inch opening for the elastic. Cut a strip of elastic the same size as your waist measurement. Slide the elastic in using a safety pin.
Now sew the elastic closed. Overlap about 1/2 inch and sew. I like to sew in the shape of a square and then criss cross. Put the elastic in and adjust. Now sew the opening closed and turn right side out.
You should end up with something that looks like this. Oh and since we're using knits there is no need to finish off the bottom. Yay!
Next, cut your two strips of tulle whatever length you like. I did mine 5 inches each. The width will be the width of the fabric (so about 44 or 46 inches). Sew the sides together. Gather about 3/8 inches from the top.
Pin to the skirt as shown above and sew your first ruffle. Sew your second ruffle under the first so that they overlap a bit. Then pull it off the machine and admire your handiwork! Sit back and eat some well deserved chocolate.
Voila! The finished product.

j crew necklace knock-off

6.10.2010
When virtual shopping, I found this cute girls necklace at J Crew. It's silk and reminds me of bubblegum or candy. I thought it would be easy to replicate, so I came up with a tutorial for all of you.
First get your supplies together. Here is what you will need:
1/8 yard of silk fabric (I used silk dupioni found at Joann's)
3/8 inch wide coordinating ribbon- about 40 inches
5 wood beads (a large one for the middle, 2 smaller ones for either side of that one and 2 smaller than that for the ends) I got the wood beads at Joann's I also had an old necklace I broke to get the larger bead from.
1. Cut a strip about 10 inches long. Wrap it around your largest bead to make sure there is enough room to leave a little extra and allow for a 1/2 seam allowance.
2. Cut close to the seam allowance as shown. Turn fabric inside out.
3. Cut a 40" piece of ribbon. Seal the ends with seam sealer or run a lighter over the ends. Slide your beads on in the correct order. Small, medium, large, medium, small.
Slide the strand of beads through your casing. If you weren't able to get your beads on the ribbon, slide the ribbon through, then put the beads in the casing in the correct order.
Cut 4 strips of fabric, about 1 in. x 5 in.
Tie thread in between each bead nice and tight. Now tie your silk strips in between each bead nice and tight. Do not worry about the fraying. It lends to the character.
Now clip the ends of the fabric as shown in the picture above. Next you will tie knots in the ribbon on either side close to the beads. This will conceal the fabric edges. Go about 3-4 inches up on either side of the ribbon and tie knots. Go up another 3-4 inches and tie knots again. If you would like you can put a charm in one of the knots.
Tie a bow at the top (secure with a stitch) and you are done
The finished product! So cute and fun. Make them in bright summer colors like lime, orange, yellow and fuschia. This necklace was in the Crew Cuts section (kids) of J Crew; but I just may have to make one for myself. Stay tuned.... I am going to be doing a knock off series, with this being the first. I will be completing this look with a head to toe outfit.


PS. I just added the followers button this week at the right of the screen. So...if you would like to be a follower, that option is now available. ♥



dolled up

6.02.2010
I love this girly all dolled up. She reminds me of Darla from the Little Rascals in this pic. So, I finished this set over the weekend. I was going to use this fabric but ended up changing it up a little. I used Tanya Wheelan's Darla and Ava Rose lines and brown linen for the ruffle. I used a simplicity pattern for the top/dress and Sandi Henderson's ruffle pant pattern. The brown linen mixes it up nicely.
I was so excited to finally get these pics. We tried taking them earlier but realized I had left the outfit at home...J.O.L.(just our luck). So, this was take two. And then the place I originally wanted to do them at, moved their cool aqua horse trailer. (J.O.L. again) So plan B, we found these tracks which worked perfectly with the suitcase. And I think I like them even better. Now off to the next project.
Happy Wednesday!

things i love tuesday

6.01.2010

let's hear it for the boys

5.31.2010
And because I don't post entirely enough of these two guys.........here's a post dedicated to the little men in my life. I love these boys! It was nice to be able to put the girls to bed early tonight and spend some quality time hangin' with the boys....playing games and doing puzzles and such. And here's toward relaxation and gearing up for a busy week around here. Family coming to town. Sewing to be done. Three tutorials to complete and share with you all. Oh...and taking photo's tomorrow of the set that I finished over the weekend. So stay tuned....
Happy Memorial Day!

three day weekend

5.28.2010
This weekend I plan on finishing up a sewing project using my fave fabric from Tanya Wheelan. Which I then hope to photograph to share with you all next week. I love photo shoots! And this set is turning out super cute! I hope to paint some nails with my favorite girls in our funky princess colors. Yes, we had to name each one after a Disney Princess.
I hope to relax with the fam, maybe sneak in a nap.....(yah right).....do some picnic-ing.....hang out with friends..... and celebrate those who have bravely given their lives to defend our freedom!
What are your weekend plans?

blinged converse tutuorial

5.25.2010
I posted this tutorial about a month ago on U Create but wanted to share here too.
Grab your favorite pair of chuck taylors and let's get started!
You will need:
E 6000 (a very strong glue in a tube found at your local craft store or Walmart)
coordinating ribbon (for the shoe laces)
swaravski flat back crystals size 7ss or 9ss (4-6 bags of 144 each) (I got mine on Ebay).
toothpicks
sharp point tweezers
plate (for squeezing glue onto. If using styrofoam or paper, put a thick magazine underneath)mini snickers unwrapped (great for popping in your mouth since you will be sitting a while)

First, come up with your design. You can sketch it onto the shoe with a pencil, or you can freehand it like me. Spread out the crystals you will need. Make sure the room is well ventilated since the glue has toxic fumes.
Squeeze some glue onto your plate. Then grab the crystal with your tweezers. You will need to keep adding little pea size amounts of glue to the plate every two minutes as the glue starts to dry out.
With your toothpick, you can apply the glue to the back of the crystal or you can dip the back of the crystal into the glue.
Place your crystal onto the shoe. Don't worry about the glue strands. You can pull those off with tweezers when it dries.
Pat the crystal into place with the back of tweezer or your finger. Repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat. If necessary take many breaks. The whole process takes a few hours. When finished let dry for 24 to 72 hours to "cure". Then add your favorite ribbon and enjoy!
Don't have a princess in your life? You can bling cell phones, laptops... or anything else you can dream up. Just make sure it is not an area near the mouth, you don't want a baby ingesting the chemicals. Now sparkle some kicks and have fun! blinged converse tutorial, swaravski crystal, rhinestone, princess sparkle shoes, how to

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