Life is Beautiful

Motherhood, Sewing, Family

Anthropologie squeezebox top DIY & sponsorship

~ DIY DREAM HOUSE


before i get to my DIY project, I have 2 updates.

first is, with receiving over 150,000 page views last month and highs of over
12,000 page views per day, i’ve decided to take in sponsors! i’d love to sponsor
you so please email me for rates at:  sarahmchoi{at}gmail.com

and one of my DIY’s was used for a window display at Lily & Iris, a
bridesmaid dress boutique, designed by Mood Events & Production.  can you
guess which one it is?
photos taken from salt lake bride & groom
my marjorelle necklace DIY!
isn’t it exciting?
and now on to my DIY project this week:

inspiration: squeezebox top from anthropologie $48

picture from an anthropologie review blog.
i think i literally gasped when i saw this top online.  i instantly fell in love and knew i had to have it!
i bought 2 white shirts, one in xs which is my size and one in large.  i got the large shirt in round neck for more fabric while i got the xs in a scoopneck.
you’ll need:
2 shirts
scissors
matching thread
pins
estimated time: 1-2 hrs.
project cost: very reasonable(mine was $8 for both shirts)
skill level: advanced beginner to intermediate
1. take the large shirt and cut it into two pieces, a front and the back piece.
2. cut the arms and the neckline off so it’s closest to a rectangle shape.
3. take one of the piece and begin making the pleates.
4. (instruction written above)
5.
6.
and then with the bottom pleated part
7.
8.
9.
10.
11. oopsie, mispelling. it should be “along” instead of “aling”. πŸ˜‰
12.
13.
14.
15.
and you’re finished!  TA-DA!!!
Anthropologie squeezebox top DIY
Anthropologie squeezebox top DIY
Anthropologie squeezebox top DIY
Anthropologie squeezebox top DIY
ο»ΏI saved over $40!

Comments

  4. Jessica at Me Sew Crazy says

    Congrats on the successful numbers! You are one of my fave blogs to follow, you will do great with sponsors.

    This shirt is awesome, I have already seen it featured places and am in love πŸ™‚

  7. Jeanene says

    That is so adorable!! You are very clever to figure all that out, and make it look professional.

    Great Job!

    Jeanene @ thequeenbeeshive.com

  9. ~Olivia~ says

    Yessss! I've been eye balling that same anthro top for a while. I knew it could be done DIY, I just hadn't gotten around to playing with it. And now you have! Thanks for the tutorial!

  12. Jayna Rae says

    I do love that top. Thanks for the amazing tutorial. I believe that one can NEVER have enough white tops. I will bookmark this so I don't forget about it.

  20. [email protected] says

    Gorgeous! I've been waiting for you posted this on your blog so I could link to it! I am featuring it today at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com. Grab my "featured' button.

  25. Sarah says

    @lerae: of course i'll teach you! just come over and visit already! πŸ™‚

    and thank you so so much everyone. it means a lot to me.

  27. Brandy and Fam says

    I just found your blog and am your newest follower. While I don't sew, you have left me totally inspired and contemplating pulling out my moms old sewing machine! Thanks for the fabulous blog and inspiration.

  39. Norwegian Phoenix says

    Just found your blog from Diary of a Preppy Mom and I'm stunned by your creativity. I love this top and can't wait to check out your other tutorials. Amazing! Thanks!

    Have a great day!

  42. Monica says

    That's gorgeous! I just found your site last night and I adore it! …I also love that your Husband calls you "Wifey" cause mine does too ;o) Hope you're having a great weekend!

  47. Anonymous says

    Wow you are so sharp good job! Please keep them coming. A big THANK YOU from the less imaginative prople out there like myself

  48. ES says

    Where did you buy the t-shirts? My list of great t-shirt ideas is accumulating, and what's holding me back is I'm not sure to go for great-fitting feminine shirts like that at that great price.

    Thanks!

  56. Sarah says

    Hi Liz, I'm not sure if I replied back to you a year ago but if I didn't, I'm so sorry! Of course you can feature it on your blog, I'd be honored! And wow, you visited your first anthro, isn't it amazing? πŸ™‚ thank you so much for your comment!

    xo

  57. MichelleTan says

    Thanks for the tutorial! I have a question tho, Did you have to bunch up the Shirt like a sock so that you can sew from the shoulder down? I am tempted to make this shirt from scratch with knit fabric.

  58. Sarah says

    Hi Michelle!

    I'm not sure what you mean by bunching it up like a sock but I folded the neckline and the sleeves twice and sewed it. Hope that helps and thanks for your comment!

  62. Taryn Morvillo says

    WOW! I know I'm not really saying anything that hasn't been said before – but thank you so much for figuring out how to get this look the easier, guilt-free way (unless you've got that kind of cash to drop on a t-shirt – more power to you, then!)Conceptually it is on par with way-beyond-ingenius. Thank you for sharing your awesomeness in this tutorial, which, like all your tutorials, are so wonderfully clear, simple, and concise – but without ever compromising on content detail or clarity. So – thanks so much for sharing; and I'm happy to hear your blog is getting the attention it deserves!

  68. Sarah says

    I laid the pleated top on the shirt and sewed the front part of the shirt and the pleated part together. Hope that makes sense!

  71. Anonymous says

    This looks so cool πŸ™‚ I want to try it, but I'm not sure I understand the instructions completely – Did you use both halves of the large shirt for the front pleat? Or just one? And in the picture where the sleeves and neckline are cut into a rectangle, did you cut a second neck line into it later? In the picture there looked like a curved cut, but the directions didn't mention it.
    Sorry if I'm a bother by asking ^_^

  72. Diya says

    Hi Lovely tutorial .. I am making this.. I already purchased two t shirts.. But I could not get the bigger one in scoop neck , hoe it should be ok ? πŸ™ .. In step 14 How to sew along the lines.. Wont the back of the Tee come in between? Hope you will find time to answer πŸ™‚ Have a great day and thanks for sharing..

  73. sarah tyau says

    Hi!

    It doesn't have to be a scoopneck, it should be okay! And sew along the lines on step 14 with just the front part of the shirt and the pleats. So open up the shirt and pull it through the sewing machine so the back part of the shirt will be untouched. Hope that helps and hope it turns out great!

    Sarah

  74. sarah tyau says

    I used one shirt to use for the pleats, and used the other shirt as a base. And yes, I cut the neckline in a round neckline, I should've clarified! I'm adding it to the directions, thanks for letting me know!

  77. Laura F says

    So you used just the front portion of the cut shirt for the front? I guess I am not totally clear on that? Can the smaller shirt be used as the cut shirt if the sizes are pretty close? I got my shirts from Michael's on clerance for 1.99 each and they didnt have large.Thanks for sharing your creaitiveness with the world!!

  81. Stella Chitra says

    Great tutorial!! Thank you for making it πŸ˜€ I'm not sure I understand every step but I'll try. I have a few questions though. What do you think is the best material for this diy, thick or thin? What type of stitch did you use for the curvy stitch? Lastly, do you think this diy can be done without a sewing machine? Like can I hand sew it? Hope you can answer this question bcs I'd really love to try πŸ™‚ Have a great day!! I love your blog and all the tutorials!

  82. Stella Chitra says

    Great tutorial!! Thank you for making it πŸ˜€ I'm not sure I understand every step but I'll try. I have a few questions though. What do you think is the best material for this diy, thick or thin? What type of stitch did you use for the curvy stitch? Lastly, do you think this diy can be done without a sewing machine? Like can I hand sew it? Hope you can answer the questions bcs I'd really love to try πŸ™‚ Have a great day. I love your blog and all your tutorials!!

  83. Sarah says

    Hi Stella!

    Thank you for reading my blog, it means a lot to me! My material for this shirt was just a plain spandex/cotton top. So the material was pretty thin, I would recommend not using heavy or thick material or i would assume it wouldn't fold as nicely. I just used a straight 2.5 stitch length for the curved part. I would recommend tracing the lines with a invisible marker or a marker and then just stitching along the traced lines, I didn't the first time and I had to unpick and do it again, I thought I could just eye it out but I was wrong. πŸ™‚ It can be done without a sewing machine but it would take a really really long time. I hope I answered all of your questions, let me know if you have anymore! Best luck and I would love to see if you make one!

    Sarah

  84. My Country says

    Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon everyday.

    It will always be helpful to read articles from other authors and practice something from other web sites.

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