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Showing posts with label nude. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nude. Show all posts

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Frugal February DIY: Earn Your Stripes


Ask, and ye shall receive! Here's the step by step instructions on how to make my (CatRabbit's!)DIY full skirt with elasticised waist. It's seriously, seriously easy folks.

You can use any kind of fabric - The first time I used a cotton fabric, which gave the skirt a little poofiness - this time I used jersey which is a little softer and drapey.

Step 1. Measure out some fabric to the length and fullness that you'd like the skirt. More fabric = more fullness.
To give you an idea, this is the fabric-to-body ratio I used to make this skirt:

Step 2. Pin the edges together - try to match up the seams if you can - you don't think it'll make a difference, but it can actually be noticeable if it's a really striking pattern.

Step 3. Sew the seams together.

Step 3a: If you feel like it, you can press & finish the seam by ironing it, then sewing a second line of stitching down the edge of the seam to encourage it to sit flat.

Step 4: Measure the elastic to allow it to sit comfortably around your waist, then sew the two edges together. I used a satin stitch, because it's extra strong.

Step 5: Start your gathering! Sew a basting stitch (the longest stitch your machine will let you sew) all around the waist of the skirt fabric, then grab one thread from one edge and start pulling... gently! If the thread snaps, you'll have to start again! Keep gathering until the skirt waist sort of matches up to the waistband

Step 6: Pin the two together! Don't skimp on the pins. More pins = less trouble sewing the two together. Check your gathering to make sure it's all even

Step 7: Sew the skirt to the waistband.
Step 8: Finish the hem

Step 9: Enjoy!

Top: Events
Skirt: DIY
Shoes: Nude
Earrings: Tango & James

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Double Duty


Dress: Dream Diva
Shoes: Nude
Belt: Cotton On

When I first tried this dress on in Dream Diva I didn't actually realise it was anything more than a swishy skirt. Amazingly, it turns out that it's one of those items that does a double duty - unfold the waistband, and it makes quite a cute strapless dress, fold it down and it's a drapey black skirt.

It has a full circle skirt which I usually steer away from as there's so much volume, but with this heavy jersey it sits really well.

I've discovered that you can easily play with the neckline too. Obviously it's just straight, normally:
But it's just as easy to pleat the top down and pin it with a safety pin to create a sweetheart neckline:

So, in other news I've got my second Belly Dancing class which I'm doing with ultimate cutie-pie Miss Kit tonight.

I love belly dancing, I love that the wobblier you are the better it looks, and that it's sexier when you have some curves. I love that you get to wear spangly jewellery that jingles.

Theoretically I bought the skirt/dress especially for belly-dancing - I think it'll do well, then afterwards I can shuck the t-shirt, hoist the waistband up, and I'm ready to hit the town!

Skirt: Dream Diva
Shoes: Zu Shoes