(tutorial) DIY Gauze Scarf

So last week I hit the Old Navy skinny jeans sale (love!), 

and as I was walking through the store, I saw so many cute scarves.  

It's just lately that I have been starting to collect necklaces and other accessories....seriously what is wrong with me? What took me so long??

And last fall/winter was the first time I really have gotten into scarves.

Anyway, as I was looking at these scarves, I saw some cute ones, but none that I really loved.  Then I thought maybe I could make a couple for myself.  

So I hunted down some lightweight fabric and got going.

I chose gauze for its interesting texture, and white is easy to find.  I had some cotton trims laying around, and a bottle of navy dye that I hadn't used yet.  

I used the navy dye for both, but did different techniques.  I really like how they turned out.  White cotton voile would work nicely too; it would be a much smoother look.

(Ooh Baby Designs) And the winner is...

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(tutorial) King-sized Pillow Shams and Bed Makeover

When my husband and I got married, we bought an awesome king-size bed.  It's been great, but that's all it's been...mattress, box-spring, on top of a metal bed frame.  

and for the last 5 years, it's been up on risers so we could store stuff under it.

blah. ugly.

I've been itching to make a headboard for forever, but just could never find exactly what I was looking for to make it happen.  

In addition to having no headboard, the problem of what kind of bedding, and what colors for that matter, to put on my bed.  I've morphed from one genre to the next.  I've made several different throw pillows, king-sized shams, etc...but my bed was never how I wanted it, and it really bugged me.  

Until now!

 I'm giddy when I look in my room!  We were able to purchase a new bedroom set (bed frame and matching dresser) from an amazing local furniture store (more on that in a second...and by the way, they have everything under the sun you could ever imagine for AMAZING prices). And once I had the bed frame in place, along with the few things that I did like, and want to incorporate into my space (my elephant pillow, my quilt, etc) I only had a couple of things to do to make my bed what I wanted!  yippee!

 So, my color scheme turned out to be black, cream and every shade of turquoise. (I think it works).

I found those amazing quatrefoil pillows at Far Below Retail.  This is also the furniture store where we purchased our bed.  (again, it's a great store with so many options you're bound to find what you want)

Far Below Retail

1414 E. Wilshire Ave

Santa Ana, CA 92705

(714)-569-0690

(ask for Jacob if you're interested!)

 So, once I set up those pillows, and the elephant pillow, I knew I needed something darker to bring the bed together with the headboard.  So, I whipped up these king-sized pillow shams, and thought I'd give you a quick tut on how to make them.  They're so easy, and I feel like they completely make my bed (no pun intended).  

Like I said, I'm giddy when I peek in!

(Sponsor Spotlight) Five Eighth Seams

I'm excited to introduce iCandy's latest sponsor, Five Eighth Seams!

This is a darling fabric shop with more than just fabric to offer, so it was fun for me to scour their shelves and see what they have!

So, not only do they have some fun cotton fabric that I'm coveting:

(which is all 10% off right now, by the way)

But also, they have a 'bargain' section where you can find gems like this for $3.65/yard...

oh, and a knit/jersey section which is packed with pretty solid colors, and 1 stripe in particular that caught my eye: (and I happen to know that they are adding more knit to their stock as I type this!)

(hello cardi-waiting-to-happen)

and then on top of all that, they offer patterns like this one that I want because of the little red riding hood cape...and the painters smock...and the penguino back pack

 ...and they have elastic, ribbon, ironing boards, ball-point needles, etc.  

Go have a party at Five Eighth Seams!

(tutorial and pattern) Everyday Basics 4: Everyday Tee

So last week I mentioned 

that this summer 

I created a few everyday basic wardrobe pieces for myself.  

I had a great tee from Gap (size M) that I loved the fit of.  

So I used it as a template and created this 

Everyday Tee.  

 

It also fit Autie perfectly, and another friend of ours tried it on, and it fit her great too.  

Autie and I both made several.  And we wear them all the time!

The possibilities are endless.  I just need to make some solid colors now.....

To make one, just follow these instructions without the shoulder shirring.

You can print off this (size M) pattern.  Don't overlap the pages after printing, just butt them together.

Here is the pattern map:

Have Fun!

(mini-tut) Hot Pad Just-In-Case kit

My Mother-in-law has been making these for years.  

A twist on the idea of our Summer Essentials Kit that we posted {here}when summer was in full swing.  

Rather than corralling all of your summer necessities, this is a one-stop shop for all of your item's you'd need {just in case}.  Band-Aids, alcohol pads, q-tips, safety pins, bobby pins, rubber bands, a pair of latex gloves, hard candies, etc.

But, instead of the heavy-duty place mat and gallon-sized bags, like we used {here}, we've used a hot-pad and snack bags.  And, with a couple of other car essentials, it fits perfectly in your glove box, just in case.  

 I'm in charge of the women's additional activities at church, and we busted out a ton of these the other day, it is quick, easy and fun.  This might be a good idea for mini Christmas gifts, etc.  

Want a quick tut on how to make them? 

(tutorial) Paperbag Pillowcase Skirt

This past summer, we were invited to post a skirt tutorial over on
Simple Simon & Co
for their Skirting the Issue Series.  Here it is, in case you missed it!
********************************************
Hi! Jen here, of iCandy handmade.  

Autie and I are so excited to be a part of this

Skirting the Issue
series.  

Over at iCandy, we have posted quite a few skirt tutorials; 

they are one of our favorite things to make!  

Here are a few:

Semi-Homemade

Today we came up with a new (to us) idea!  

As we were trying to think about what kind of skirt to make,

I thought of using a pillowcase. 

I have made dresses and nightgowns out of them, why not a skirt??

The options are endless- vintage flowers, lace, plain with added embellishments, even characters!  

You could even use regular fabric, if you don't have a cute pillowcase.

I used a lace-edged one I had in my stash, and Emily and I are very happy with the way it turned out.

It is an elastic/drawstring waist combo, with eyelets.

Want to make one??

(mini-tut) knit cover-up

So, I know that summer is over, but it's still warm enough here to head over to the pool or beach after school!  I've been meaning to make a swim suit cover up all summer long, and only recently had a chance to do it...so here it is, and here's what I did...it's so easy!

I started out with Jen's pattern to her Classic Maxi, which she shared with you on Tuesday, and only made a few changes to her tutorial to get what I wanted.  

pattern {here}

Measure: your bust size...do it with your swim suit on, or at least a bra that will sort of give you the same measurement as if you were wearing your swim suit.  Take that measurement and then subtract a good 4-5 inches (it could be more) from it.  

Cut:

Bust size measurement (Y inches) x 17inches...

My bust measurement was about 35 inches...so, I cut my strip 30 inches x 17 inches

Using the Classic Maxi pattern, measure 22 1/2 inches down from the top of the pattern in several places and make a mark.  Cut your fabric along that line.  

If you'd like a ruffle: 

Cut 2 strips 8 1/2 inches x the length of the fabric.  

 So, here's my mini-tut, because really, it's very similar to Jen's exposed ruffle maxi from yesterday:
Using your 'bust strip', sew/serge the strip together along the 17 inch edge so that you have 1 long loop.
Next, fold it in half, so you have the right-side of the fabric on  both sides of your loop.

Use the Trusty Maxi pattern {found here} for the tutorial on how to put the rest of the cover up together, but instead of hemming the bottom of the cover-up, you'll sew on your ruffle strip, and leave both edges raw.  

Directions for your ruffle:

Sew your ruffle strips together, ruffle it by making the length of the stitch on your sewing machine as long as possible.  About a half an inch from the top of the loop.  Back stitch at the beginning to hold your stitches in place, but make sure to NOT back stitch at the end.  Once you've sewn around the perimeter, leave your threads long, and pull the bobbin thread gently, while pushing your fabric along.  Once your ruffle is about the same measurement as the bottom of your 'maxi' stitch it on.  I chose to leave my ruffle raw (with a striped fabric, it was easy to sew it on straight)  I just laid my strip down on top of my dress, and stitched it directly onto the front.  Jen chose to make a finished ruffle on hers (seen below) and she laid her ruffle down bottom of the cover-up to the top of the ruffle strip, (right-sides together) and stitched it on that way.  

Either way is cute!

(Pattern) Everyday Basics 3: Maxi Mayhem

So for the last month or so, I have been busy cutting out and sewing multiples of some super awesome basics (at least I think so...) for everyday wear.  

I took some of my favorite wardrobe staples and created patterns.

I know I probably have posted the Maxi Skirt to death, 

but I promise this is the last of them for a while, maybe ever? I just love to wear them.  

They are as comfortable as pajamas, and look way better than jeans shorts.  

They are perfect for all seasons, too.  

So when I had my cutting fest, I decided to make five.  

That's plenty, right??

:)

Most of them are based on my "Classic" Maxi pattern, 

size Medium,

which is uploaded here, on Google Docs. 

I used a medium knit maxi skirt I bought at Brass Plum 

(Nordstroms juniors dept.) a couple of years ago 

to make the pattern.

I used a variety of fabrics and techniques and love the way they turned out!

 Just narrowed this one down.  Same pattern as the original mismatched maxi I posted here, but not cut up.

Didn't buy enough fabric (oops!) to do the stripes horizontal, so this was a "make it work" moment.  

With some advice from a friend, I just cut the pieces with the stripes going every which way, however I could get the pattern pieces to fit.  I actually LOVE how it turned out.

 Cut up my "Classic" maxi pattern to be a roomier version of the Mismatched Maxi.

Cut the bottom off of my "Classic" maxi, and then cut a rectangle the width of the fabric.  

Ruffled it up and attached it with the raw edge showing.

You can use my tutorial for my Everyday Skirt... it is a short skirt but you follow the exact same steps when constructing a maxi, it is just longer.

Here is the pattern map:

My waist and hip measurements are as follows, in case it is helpful in determining how the pattern might fit you.  

Waist: 30"

Hip: 39"

                                         REALLY easy to size up or down, just move the side seam out a bit.  Allow for the stretch of the fabric.

(iCandy) knit stay tape

We found a little spool of magic, as far as sewing with knit goes...

Get excited for this!

While I was in Arizona this summer, I took a sewing class at the store that I bought my sewing machine at.  After my class, I took a look around and aside from some amazingly cute knit fabric, I found a knit wonder!

Knit Stay Tape

 The scary thing about sewing with knits, at least for me, is the hem...I accidentally stretch it out while I'm sewing it, and the hem turns out wavy and wonky, and then I'll never wear it.

This stuff is amazing...I've had the prettiest hems since I started using it...try it!

So, all you do, before you sew your hem on, is iron this stuff to the wrong-side of the bottom of your garment that you're going to hem.  That's it!  Then while I'm sewing, I can feel where the tape ends, and I can fold the hem under as I go.  It prevents the accidental stretch, and it makes such a pretty hem-- no wonky!! See?

Like I said, I bought it in Arizona, at a store called The Bernina Connection, but here is the website on the package {click here} (look under 'tapes' for this product)

I hope that this will help you in with some of iCandy's knit projects and tutorials!

(tutorial and pattern) Shirred Shoulder Tee

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This summer I came up with a few nice, basic patterns for everyday wear.  

For me.  

(And Autie :)

I created a couple of loose fitting cap sleeve patterns, 

one of which I loved and one that I didn't love.

I bought some cute knit downtown LA and eagerly cut out one of the tees.  

Then I realized, too late 

that I used the wrong pattern! 

Sad.

I took it over to Autie's to see what could be done.  We fiddled with the armhole a bit, and then she suggested shirring the shoulder!  

It was genius, I tell you.  

Two seams later, I LOVED the top.  

I wear it all the time.

I have adjusted the size M pattern to reflect our changes, 

and it can be found here. (Google Docs)  

FYI, my measurements are as follows, in case you need to know what a Medium means:

Waist: 30"

Full Bust: 37"

If you are a little (an inch or two) smaller or bigger, this top should still work.  

Or you could add a bit or take away a bit from the sides.  

Using an existing fitting tee is always a great idea.

Want to make one?