posts tagged ‘tutorial’
how to refashion a cardigan
This post has been months in the making, but to those who were anticipating this tutorial, I hope it was worth the wait! For now I’m just posting all the steps here, but plan on formatting it nicely in a .pdf (so you can print the instructions out and keep them handy!) later, when I have a bit more time.
We all have them lurking in the back of our closets: those cardigan sweaters that we bought because they were “practical” or were 100% wool and on sale for a great price. But they languish because they don’t fit in the most flattering manner; the worst offenders are the large, boxy type cardigans. But you don’t need to banish these from your wardrobe anymore! Refashioning a cardigan into something more flattering on you is easy and only requires some simple sewing supplies and know-how, a small dose of patience and about one afternoon.
I started refashioning and embellishing my cardigans a few years ago when I wanted to recreate the high end looks that I saw in catalogs with the cardigans I had or found at thrift shops. Although much of my learning was trial by error, I have stumbled across a few good resources. My favorite is “The Yestermorrow Clothes Book” by Diana Funaro, published in 1976 (check Amazon and Alibris for second hand copies). It shows a smattering of ways to refashion all styles of sweaters, and I highly recommend finding a copy if you’re looking to explore other sweater refashioning options.
This tutorial is quite easy; I think even a determined beginner seamstress could easily do this. I have developed these techniques from several years of adjusting and altering my own cardigans, but this is by no means the zenith of cardigan refashioning. I encourage you to tweak and modify these steps and methods as you go along to suit your needs.
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Posted to: featured, refashion, sewing, tutorial. | 46 lovely thoughts
the vintage pattern primer
This post has been prompted by the many emails I’ve received on the topic of sewing with vintage patterns. Where do I start? How do I use a vintage pattern? What about sizing? Any tips? I really appreciate that people ask me–vintage sewing patterns are something I love working with and enjoy sharing that magic with others. I thought it would be nice to compile my tips and resources all in one post. It’s not that I don’t like the emails (I do!!!), but who wants to wait for me to get back to them? hehe!
Vintage patterns can come off as intimidating to not only those new to sewing, but seasoned dressmakers as well. The instructions look like a foreign language, there are so many steps, and the pattern pieces sometimes don’t even have any markings! I started sewing with vintage patterns about 7 years ago. I didn’t really know what I was doing (and it can be argued I still don’t. lol!), so my learning process has been through a lot of trial and error. I hope these tips will be helpful to those thinking about trying a vintage pattern. Please remember though that my primary area of “pattern expertise” is the 1930s through 1950s; I haven’t worked with many patterns prior to the 30s, and post 1960s patterns are usually similar enough to modern patterns not to warrant discussion.
A warning: this post started innocently with a handful of tips and quickly ballooned into a novel. So, it’s a bit long. However, if you’re brave enough I hope it proves helpful!
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Posted to: sewing, tutorial. | 26 lovely thoughts
pictured charm
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I’ve been collecting frames for the past months, with the intention to liven up a big, blank wall in our living room. It’s huge, beige and boring. Today I finally pulled out the stack of frames, boxes of photos (both family and found images I’ve bought at antique shops over time), and some scrapbooking supplies–determined to add a bit of personality and color to our “problem wall”! I thought it would be fun to show you all how I did this, especially since it’s both easy, colorful and inexpensive (the latter being the catchphrase for most of my decorating!). I know it’s a take off from the usual fashion-centered fare here, so I hope someone will find it useful!
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To do this project you’ll need: a frame (the picture area being larger than the photo you intend to frame), a snapshot or old photo, scrapbook paper (old wallpaper, wrapping paper, etc. would work just as well. Just realize these tend to not be archival safe; a concern especially for older photographs), stick on labels (optional; mine are from the Martha Stewart line of scrapbooking supplies), ruler, pencil, pen, and scissors.
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Begin by measuring the photo area of your frame and measure out on the backside of the scrapbook paper. An easier way to do this is just remove the paper insert that comes in many new frames and trace it. Cut out.
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Measure your photo, and mark where you would like to center it on your piece of scrapbook paper. I positioned mine slightly above the horizontal center mark, to allow for a label. Attach the two top photo corners. I found this worked best when the photo was slipped into the corners.
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Attach the bottom corners.
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Attach the stick on label. This is totally optional, but I thought added a bit of charm to the piece. You can write something in, or leave it blank!
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Slip the entire piece into the frame, secure the back on, and find a wall to add a bit of color and fun to! I’ve also done this with a handful of other photos and love how it sets the pictures off, without the fussiness of using a mat (or annoyance of cutting your own!).
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I hope you enjoyed this! I’ve been pumping out loads of budget-friendly decorating ideas lately. Especially Christmas ideas. We just found out last week that Sailor Husband’s family is going to be celebrating both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in our little apartment, so ideas on how to add a bit more festivity (we don’t have many Christmas decorations yet!) on a shoestring have been my newest brainstorm! hehe!
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Posted to: creativity, playing house, tutorial. | 28 lovely thoughts
1920s chemise inspired top
I haven’t posted an honest-to-goodness tutorial in a long time… but I finally got around to to it! lol. After posting this outfit last week incorporating a favorite 1920s chemise that I’ve converted into a top, I decided to make a tutorial on how to sew up your own version! I really love this style; it’s so timeless and feminine… something that I like incorporating into my wardrobe. Though the 20s isn’t the era I tend towards for daily outfit inspiration, the lingerie of the era was really quite gorgeous–all light, silky fabrics and beautiful lace! I used a lightweight lining material for my tutorial version, but I think this would be an excellent style to use a bit of luxe fabric… say silk twill or charmeuse, or even a very light linen. This is definitely a style that customization is encouraged–variations are endless!
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I hope you’ll enjoy this downloadable tutorial; I made it into a .pdf so it’s easy to save and print to keep next to your sewing machine. (To save it to your computer, just right click on the image below and select “save as”. Otherwise it will open in your browser/Adobe!) Do let me know if you use it–I’d absolutely love to see your variation!
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Posted to: tutorial. | 14 lovely thoughts
:: a real update! ::
No, I have not disappeared into the abyss, just been sucked into the vortex of pre-wedding crazy! Between all the little loose ends we’re scrambling to tie up and excitement, I’ve been very negligent about updating (and even checking my email–bad Casey!). But! I have finally finished editing the hairstyle tutorial I recorded a couple weekends ago. It’s a bit more condensed than the last one (finally figured out how to work this movie editing software that was bundled with the web camera!), so if you’re not familiar with some of the techniques in part 1 of my first tutorial, I’d recommend reviewing that.
I’m super excited about this hair tutorial–it’s a bit more streamlined than the other, and I really am smitten with how to fix the back hair. lol! I hope you all enjoy it! Please do let me know if you try it out for yourself–I’d love to see hear how it works for you.
Anyhow, now I will go crawl back into my wedding-hole. I promise to emerge at least once more! haha! Thank you all for your lovely, and thoughtful emails of late as well. They have really brightened my days! Have a lovely evening, my dears!
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Posted to: fashion, tutorial, video. | 18 lovely thoughts
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