Life is Beautiful

Motherhood, Sewing, Family

DIY: altering a larger dress

~ DIY DREAM HOUSE

I bought this dress during our trip in St. George a few weeks ago.  A dress with stripes & sleeves?  I just couldn’t pass it.  I often buy dresses that are larger because the larger the size = the longer the length.  It’s a lot easier to alter the sides of the dress than to lengthen the dress.  
before/after:
directions:
after:
dress: gap | necklace: diy | bracelets: f21 & c/o romwe | color block sandals: oasap | 
brown satchel: brahmin
Estimated time: 10 minutes
Skill level: beginner
Budget: $0

DIY: stained shirt to a printed shirt

~ DIY DREAM HOUSE

I had a plain white tee that had a bit of yellow stain on it. I thought instead of throwing it away, I would add some designs on it using fabric paint!  I was inspired by one of my blog readers I featured last week, Sunlight and Sequins.
Instructions:
What you’ll need:
-shirt
-sponge brush
-stamp
-fabric paint
-wax paper
-cup
Directions:
1. Cut up wax paper and insert inside the shirt, to make sure the fabric paint doesn’t seep through.
2. Squeeze out some fabric paint into a cup and dip the sponge brush lightly.  With the brush, paint on the stamp.
3. Lay the shirt on a flat surface and stamp wherever desired.  Stamp once more if you’d like the design to be more prominent.
4. Let it dry 4 hours before stamping the other side.  
5. Wait at least 3 days before putting it in the wash.
Estimated time: 1 1/2 hours
Budget: under $10(if using a shirt you already have)
Skill level: beginner

after:
{top: DIY | skirt: swapped | tights: h&m | mint shoes: c/o vivilli}
so flattering, I know.

I did this while my girls were being babysat by my neighbor, and when Adi came home, she saw what I had made and wanted to make one for herself as well.  She wanted to do it all by herself(I was right by her side to guide her), and didn’t she do a great job? 
And when Jay came home and saw me in this shirt, he started reciting the Boy Scout’s slogan while signaling the Boy Scout sign.  Turns out, it’s really close to the Boy Scout logo… darn it!  But whatever, I still like it and I’m still gonna wear it!

DIY: Anthropologie marjorelle necklace

~ DIY DREAM HOUSE

Remember the necklace I made inspired by the marjorelle necklace from Anthropologie?  I love that necklace and wear it all the time, so I made another version.

Inspiration: Marjorelle Necklace by Anthropologie

Anthropologie Majorelle necklace DIY
:
Anthropologie Majorelle necklace DIY
Anthropologie Majorelle necklace DIY
Anthropologie Majorelle necklace DIY
How to make your own Anthropologie majorelle necklace DIY
What you’ll need:
  • Gold twisted cord(I purchased mine at Wal Mart for under $2)
  • Stretch cocktail rings/brooches/vintage pins that will go well together(I found mine at Forever 21, here are some beautiful picks here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
  • Hook and closure, gold loops, end caps
  • Epoxy glue
  • Scissors



Directions:

1. Cut off the ring/pin part of the jewels if necessary.
2. Measure the length of the gold cord and put a tiny strip of clear tape around where you want to cut it.  The tape makes sure that it doesn’t fray when you cut it off.
3. Dab a small amount of epoxy glue on the ends of the gold cord.  Then squeeze it inside the end caps.  
4. Hook on the gold loops, and the hook and closure.
5. Dab a good amount of epoxy glue on the back of the jewels and press onto the middle of the gold cord.  The jewels might tilt back or forward so put something below and above the jewels to keep from tilting while it’s drying.  Or check every 10 minutes the first half an hour to make sure it’s not tilting and straighten it if necessary.
6. Let it dry 24 hours.
Estimated time: prep time: 20 mins | drying time: 24 hrs.
Budget: $30
Skill level: EASY/beginner
Lace dress: Sheinside (similar 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
 Necklace: DIY 
Bracelets: H&M 
Nude heels: Korea (also love 1, 2, 3)

DIY: tailor a peplum top & a pencil skirt

~ DIY DREAM HOUSE

I had a peplum top and a skirt that were a little loose fitting.  A little tailoring makes a big difference and makes it so much more flattering!
Instructions:
After:
Peplum top & shoes: c/o Romwe | Green pencil skirt: Sheinside | Brown satchel: c/o Brahmin
Purple cardigan: Target | Top: Sheinside | Shoes: Zara | Black handbag: c/o Brahmin

Estimated time: 5 mins. each
Budget: none
Skill level: Beginner

DIY: A dress that’s too short & a dress that shrunk

~ DIY DREAM HOUSE

I had two dresses that were too short for me.  One(left) I got knowing it was too short, but I got it anyway with the plans of lengthening it later, and the other one(right) was a good length until I washed it and it shrunk a ton!  Don’t you hate it when that happens?!!

So I cut off one dress and used that extra fabric to lengthen the other dress.  With the dress I cut off, I made it into a top, which turned out to be a very cute peplum top.  The two fabrics are a little different from each other, but I didn’t want to go through the hassle of trying to find the perfect match to lengthen the dress.  It’s noticeable but I don’t think it looks too bad.

I used liquid stitch on the bottom hem of the top(to save the length because if I would’ve hemmed the bottom, it would’ve been too short), and with the extra fabric I cut off, I used it to lengthen the other dress.
The before/after:
Striped dress & Blue sandals : c/o Oasap | Bracelets: H&M, J.Crew
Striped top: H&M(altered) | Royal blue jeans: c/o Romwe | Red flats: Target