50's Inspired Skirt

This post is a little different than my others. This project was actually needed for work. My co-worker and I are advisors for a college student ambassador organization called, Pacer Spirit. At the end of each year, we have a celebration with food, games and prizes. We like to add a touch of fun with a theme as well. This year's theme was "Grease" or 50's Sock Hop. So, of course I was in need of an outfit! I hit up Pinterest and started looking at 50's inspired articles of clothing and came up with this skirt. 


Inspiration

 Say Yes To Hoboken

Supplies

• 1 1/2 yrds fabric
• 9 in zipper
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Straight pins
• Iron
• Measuring tape

First, measure your waist where you want the waistband to sit. Add an inch for seam allowances. Take your fabric and fold it to the width you want your waistband to be. Then, cut it to the length that you measured your waist to be plus the extra inch. 

Take your waist measurement and half it. Then, add about four inches for pleating. With your fabric folded, cut it to this length. (If you keep it folded it will still be long enough for the skirt but it will be double layered so it won't be see through and you won't have to hem). This will be the front of your skirt. Do the same for the back except cut the fabric in half so that you have two pieces for the back.

Attach the skirt fabric to the waist band with straight pins, adding pleats. Sew the skirt to the waistband. Sew the seams up the sides. (you can add pockets here if you prefer). Add the zipper to the back and sew up the back seam. 

Dyed Jeans

I have a pair of jeans that I love the fit of but I'm not a fan of the light color. I prefer darker jeans. I would hate to throw them out because I do really love the fit but I never wear them because I don't like the color. Luckily for me they were 99% cotton. So, I was able to buy fabric dye and darken them up!

Inspiration

made

Supplies

• Article of clothing (preferably cotton)
• Rit Dye (liquid or concentrated powder)
• Washing Machine

Follow the directions on your package of dye. I used the concentrated powder kind. I had to dissolve it in warm water first.

Then, I filled my washing machine up with enough hot water for the jeans to move freely in. I soaked the jeans with water and squeezed out as much water as possible. Then, I added the dye filled water and tossed in the jeans. I let the washing machine go for 30 minutes before the rinse cycle started. I hung the jeans up to dry and viola! I had darker jeans!

Be sure to run your washing machine with a cup of bleach after dying in it! 

T-Shirt

I needed a shirt to wear with my skirt I made. I'm not a huge fan of just tank tops. So, I decided to make a t-shirt. I thought I would try my hand at making a t-shirt by using a t-shirt I already had as a pattern.

Inspiration

iCandy Handmade

Supplies

• 1 yard of knit fabric
• T-shirt
• Scissors
• Coordinating thread
• Sewing Machine
• Stick pins

Layout your fabric. I folded mine so I would only have to cut out the shirt once. Lay your existing shirt on top. I folded my sleeves back and pinned them to keep them out of the way. Cut a bit away from the shirt to give you room to sew a 1/4" seam.

Then, cut out the sleeves, pin it up and sew it!

Bubble Skirt

I decided to try my hand at sewing a skirt from a pattern. I found a pattern from McCalls. I did some readjusting to it to fit the kind of fabric I had and the casual feel I was going for.

Inspiration

iCandy Handmade

Supplies

• McCalls 5591 pattern
• 2 1/2 yards fabric
• Zipper
• Scissors
• Sewing Machine
• Coordinating thread
• Stick pins

Layout your fabric and cut out the parts from the pattern.

Begin sewing up the skirt. I started by connecting the waistband pieces together and then attaching the skirt to the waist band. Add in the zipper and sew up the belt.

Maxi Skirt

I've noticed that maxi skirts are becoming super popular for the upcoming spring and summer. So, of course I want one! I used inspiration from this post to create my own! It's actually just a photo from Nordstrom that I used to mimic my own.

Inspiration

Nordstrom

Supplies

• 1 1/2 yards of 60" wide jersey fabric
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Measuring tape

First, hold the fabric up to yourself. Mark where the extra is that gives you your desired length. I took several inches off. This fabric will be used for the waistband. Cut the rest of the fabric in half to give you both sides of the skirt.

Then, wrap that extra fabric around your waist. Cut it right where it meets. Sew it into a tube and turn it right side in.

Use pins to connect the two pieces up the side seams. I used the extra scraps from the waistband to make pockets.

Sew the side seams. Attach the skirt to the waistband at the seam of the waistband. Adding gathers as you go. 

If you use stretch jersey fabric you won't need to hem it because it will roll up. Otherwise, now you can add a hem.

Now you have your own super cute maxi skirt!

Tank Top Dress

Even though it's February, this southern weather feels like spring. I love wearing cute dresses in the spring and summer. I saw this post on Pinterest and was intrigued. You could spend upwards of $20 for one of these dresses at the store. To make it costs less than $10!

Inspiration

 Talk2TheTrees

Supplies

• Ribbed tank top (or t-shirt)
• 2 yards of fabric
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Matching or complimentary color thread

First, cut the tank top in half, or right under the bust.

Wrap the fabric around your waist about one and a half times and cut a straight line up the fabric. *Note, the fabric will already be folded from the store. Don't unfold it.

Turn the tank top inside out and pin the fabric to the tank. I added some small pleats to mine.

Sew up the open side of the skirt. Continue to sew around the waist of the dress, connecting the tank and fabric skirt together.

Turn it right side in.

Now, cut two long strips of leftover fabric. Lay them together and tuck in the unfinished edges. Sew together to make a sash.

You now have a cute custom dress!

This project had it's challenging moments but in the end it was all worth it! I love this dress and I can't wait to wear it! I think it would even look cute with a cardigan, tights and boots!