Our Tutorials Category

I did this sketch a few months ago of a simple shirt with braided sleeve. So of course when I found this crazy psychedelic print that was by far the loudest fabric I’ve ever bought, I thought it’d be perfect for this (slightly weird) shirt. It’s pretty straight forward. You’ll need a t-shirt to use as a pattern. I had only a yard of this fabric, so it cost me about $3 to make. The best part I this shirt has dolman sleeves, which mean you don’t need to cut separate sleeve! Also, you don’t really need to finish the edges since it’s a jersey knit; it might actually add to the look (I finished mine because I hate raw edges)

1. Trace shirt like so:

2. Add length for braids

3. Cut out. Repeat for back side as well

4. With right sides together, sew side seams

* **Optional: Finish neck holes and bottom***

5. Turn shirt right side out, sew shoulder seam

***Optional, finish sleeve opening edges***

6. Cut fringe just up to seam, 0.75” wide

7. Stitch down the beginning of the braid at the neck opening. You can add extra strips here if you want to, it’ll make starting the braid easier.

8. French braid!

9. Tie a knot at the bottom and cut off. You could also tuck the ends in and sew to finish.

Done!

This top is actually super easy to do. I had exactly 1 yard of this great striped rayon-blend fabric. I got it (of course) on the clearance table, so this shirt cost me a grand total of $3!

Easiest way to do this is to grab a t-shirt to use as a patter.

**You will want to use a zigzag stitch for this so the whole thing stretches**

1. Lay out your T-shirt on your fabric. Mark about 1” away on each side, up to the arm pit. Add 2.5” to the bottom.

2. Draw a line from armpit to arm pit, add 1”

3. Cut 2 of these.

4. Sew together down sides

5. **If you have a friend for this step it will be easier** With your arms at your side, measure around where you want the strap to be. Take this measurement and subtract 2”.

6. Cut a strip 5” by the strap length from step 5. Sew the ends together to make a loop. Then fold in half

7. Measure distance from front left bra strap to back left. This is your side measurement.

8. From the side seam, mark the measurement from step 7.

9. Measure distance on chest between bra straps. Mine is 11”. Repeat for back (9”).

11. The next few steps are simply better explained by picture…so here it is:

Repeat for back using back bra measurements

12. Now fold up the raw edges, stitch down using zigzag stitch to maintain stretch.

13. Measure around your low waist (where the shirt ends), then subtract 2″. Cut strip 5″ by that length.

14. Sew ends together, then fold in half

15. Now attach this loop to the bottom of the shirt. Your shirt will be bigger than the strip, so stretch it to fit as you go. This will also help keep the whole thing stretchy.

Done!

It’s super cute; you can wear it off the shoulders as intended or pull the straps up.

Pastels and lady like details are very much in for spring. To get on bored with the trend (which I’m trying to do more of lately) I have a tutorial for beautiful tulip skirt. It also happens to be one of the easiest tutorials I’ve ever made! Hooray easy!

The fabric I’ve picks is this opal/pearl colored satin. It has slight pink undertones that are so soft and lovely. It’s perfect for a flower inspired piece.

You’ll need enough fabric that you can wrap it around your hips about 1.5 times. Like so:

1. Cut your fabric to the proper width. For the length, measure from your waist to wherever you want the hem, then add 1.75” to that. That will be your length

2. Fold rectangle in half. Round out the corner. I made a rough 12×12 measurement for this. But you can use a plate or other object if you prefer to have a guide.

3. To finish the raw edges, roll the edge up ¼”, then another ¼”. So you’ll end up having taken up ½” total

4. Wrap the skirt around your hips to where it feels comfortable. Pin the fabric together. The waist will be loose, but that’s what the elastic is for.

5. Roll the raw edge ¾”, then another ¾”. Sew as close to the fold closet to the inside. This makes a pocket for the elastic. You want to leave an opening in the back

6. Work your elastic through the pocket. I like to pin a safety pin to on end to help work it through.

7. Once all the way through, make sure your elastic isn’t twisted, sew the ends together.

8. Now close the opening in the pocket.

All done!

I saw this adorable on Anthro’s website and thought it would be a great fast project. I’ve had this bag of feathers that have been sitting in my craft bin for ever. It’s the perfect use of left over supplies. I wish I would have had spotted feathers like in the original, but I like the mixture I used.

You’ll need:

-Elastic, enough for around your waist (I used 1″ wide)

-Scrap fabric

-Feathers

-Closure (hook and eye)

1. Cut 4 strips of fabric 4.5″ by 2″

2. Sew together pieces, with a 90 degree point at the end. Trim excess and turn inside out.

3. Now you’ll tuck the ends of the elastic into the open ends of the fabric tabs. You’ll want to pin each tab in place. Check the sizing. You want just the tips to touch.

4. Zigzag stitch the end closed. Top stitch around the tab. This just keeps the tab flat.

5. Sew on the closures. It’s better to do it at this stage, before you put the feathers.

6. Now all you have to do is glue on the feathers! I used ivory, brown, rust, and black feathers. I finished it off with a jade bead shaped like a bear.

Since Vlad is at work, I took the photos on my dress form.