Life is Beautiful

Motherhood, Sewing, Family

black ruffle around me top

~ SEWING

i had this black cotton scoopneck shirt.
and bought a pleated trim from hobby lobby for a little over $2.00
you’ll need:
1 3/4 yards of black pleated trim
a plain black shirt
black thread
pins
scissors
after playing around with the trim with different designs:

project budget: very low priced
estimated time: 30 mins.
level: beginner
directions:
1. put the shirt on first.  (i tried pinning the ruffles first and then tried it on but my chest stretched the fabric and the design was no longer the same.)
2. as you make the trim pattern, pin it as you go.  play around with different designs as you please.  or just follow my design. 🙂
3. sew right in the middle of the trim onto the shirt.  there should already be stitches there, just sew over it. sew it the right side so you can see the trim as you sew.
i call it a “ruffle around me top”.  

unexpected pleated top DIY

~ SEWING

this DIY project came very unexpectedly and you’ll see why!
i bought this skirt in XL from GAP for $10.  i bought it in XL since that was the only size left
and because i can’t say no to pleats since that’s my obsession right now.
so i bought it in hopes of altering it. 
to alter, i put it on, pinched one side and roughly measured with my eyes
 how many inches i needed to take off.
and now i got a skirt that fits me perfectly!
then i starred at the extra fabric i cut off the skirt
and thought i didn’t want this precious pleated fabric to go to waste!
so i just starred at it for a few minutes thinking what i could do with it.
then i rummaged through my closet looking for a black top and found this
a black top from h&m i got 6+ yrs. ago.
i don’t think i’ve ever wore it because the neckline reminds me of a pilgrim or something.
but i love the button detail in the back.
so i cut off the neck part and folded it several times and sewed it.
the after:
more modern looking right?
then i sewed the pleated fabric in the front along the neckline.
the before/after:
wear it plain or with a tie.
and my favorite:
wear it with my black pleated skirt!

i don’t know about you but doesn’t it look like a dress instead of a top/skirt combo?
oh yes.  that’s my husband making trouble as always.
don’t know why i look so awkward but i was happy with the unexpected result. yay!

Anthropologie uninterrupted ruffles tank DIY

~ SEWING

my inspiration: uninterrupted ruffles tank from anthropologie.
 original price: $58.
and i got this picture from some random blog i googled to show you how it looks on. 
i hope she doesn’t mind.
from my closet:
a white cotton top from GAP i got years ago.
white lace ribbon from wal mart for around $2.

1. i cut the ribbons by roughly estimating how long it should be by looking at the inspiration.
2. using stitch length 5 i sewed the tip edge of the ruffles and gently ruffled it.  for a ruffle tutorial click here.
3. i pinned the ruffles like the picture above.
4. then sew!

the after:

i saved over $60!

*and i just wanted to mention that this was the very 1st project i’ve done EVER where i didn’t mess up and didn’t need to use the seam ripper! WOO HOO, HOORAY, HALLEJUAH!!! when i realized this when i got done, i seriously grinned so big.  you would think by how much i sew i would be a better seamstress but no.  but i hope this is the first of many more to come with no mess-ups!

YAY headbands!

~ Etc.

It’s finally launched! Brand New Headbands!
 these are just some of the headbands available at S.T Collection so check out my website
to view the full collection.  and if you like them, please help me spread the word!
photos by Jessica Peterson.

sequin dress DIY and S.T Collection adds

~ DIY DREAM HOUSE

hello everyone! I hope you had a wonderful christmas and new years!
for my DIY project i made a sequin dress to wear for new year’s eve.
i bought some sequin fabric from Joann’s

and found this cut up gray cardigan in my closet.

then i just made a simple tank top dress pattern
and added the sleeves like the dress i did here.

and the after:




i don’t know about you but i love it!
and you know how i told you i was going to make headbands
for my store S.T Collection?
well i made one as a preview and added 2 other items as well.
Hopeless Romantic Top



Flower Blossom Necklace



and a Mink Me Fur Headband

it’s a genuine mink fur with jewel embellishments on top
and two gold leaves on the side.

I’m in love with all of these, especially the headband.
I’m very tempted to keep it for myself!
i’m working on making other headbands right now so stay tuned!