Mommy and Me Halloween Costume

You are probably wondering where I have been…

Last summer, I started to notice that the more I focus on being a mom and giving my little one extra time, the happier and more cheerful I was. I started to feel a little relaxed even. Last year most of my mental creative focus went to my machine and all my extra time and energy too. You would see me running into my sewing space with my daughter on my lap or during nap times, hushing my daughter as she tried playing with me and I was typing away at my computer. Admittedly, I started to feel guilty. Sewing and blogging was at one point my obsession and passion but as Nia turned into a toddler, it became more of a chore. A nagging in the back of my mind. I’ve always felt fulfillment from it that’s why I still stuck with it. But I wanted to feel what it was like to just be a wife and mom one hundred percent. No sewing, blogging and social media. Just focus on being a wife and mom. I just wanted to relax and let go for a month or two see how I feel, just test it out. And my conclusion… I gained perspective and appreciation. Modesty aside my daughter, as early as 2 yrs old can “read” (blend a 3 letter-word) and can already count up to fifty. I felt accomplishment with being a mom.

I thought of letting go of my passion. But, in the last few days, I’ve been itching to do projects, to sew, to share my projects. I’ve misssssssed it. I want to love being a mom and being a diy blogger at the same time. I do feel accomplishment with being a mom, but I need my creative outlet back. So, I’m back. I have to.  But, I don’t think I can commit my 100% at it. I decided to stick with my priority and that is being a mom and wife and do what I love in my spare time. Sure you could hear from me every now and then sharing my projects with you all.

Halloween was a blast we spent the day with the Days as they threw a baby shower Halloween themed party. We had a lot of fun with the games. The food?… outstanding! and of course by just being with the relatives alone was magical. We even won the “Best Halloween Costume” haha!

Since Nia has this pumpkin costume lying around in the house I had to make one for my self to match her. I made us some matching shoes as well.

I enjoyed making the shoe pattern. I thought it’s clever as winter is fast approaching. They were stuffed and are incredibly comfy. The soles are nonskid which is perfect for my very active toddler.

My costume was extremely simple and insanely easy to make. I just had to trace my old non fitting shirt and shorts on and this pattern was born…

I drew a happy pumpkin face, transferred them onto my felted fabrics. I stuck them in place with fabric glue. Sewn them in place to secure, after my zipper was installed.

I made this stem and leaves to decorate my hoodie.

Then finished them with some hemming. And that’s it a Halloween costume for under $10.00! Scored!

See you in my next look for less project. Thanks for reading!

DIY Ombre top out of 2 old shirts

Hello lovely refashionistas! I know most of you are waiting for some brand new posts but I can hardly find much time to do these tutorials as much as I want to so please accept my apologies.

I hope you are all enjoying the much awaited season – Fall! So as I sat thinking what to make to compensate with this tutorial shortage it hit me that a nice fall inspired refashion project would be a great idea. I personally love ombre but instead of dying those fabrics which could get a little messy not to mention a bit pricey. I opted to combine these old monochromatic shirts I own to create the ombre effect I wanted to achieve. 👇

Ready, Set, Sew!

Step 1. Since I already mastered my measurements I just had to transfer them on my shirt, but taking your favorite shirt to mimic is still the best. Trace on your shirt and chop off those sleeves and sides that you wanted to take in.

Step 2. Cut the first shirt in half and transfer the bottom measurement on the second shirt you wanted to combine your first shirt with. (gees, that’s mouthful!)

Here, you wanna make sure that those bed buttons are matching on the 2nd shirt.

Step 3. Pin them down and sew making sure those bed buttons aren’t shifting and that those buttons are on equal distances, to achieve a seamless look.

Step 4: Add some drama by attaching a pocket on one side like so…

And voila!

I’ll make sure to post my after pic in it next time loves! I’m just not in the model mood this time ha! But I hope I inspired you to create another look for less! till next lovelies! Thanks for reading. God bless! xoxo

Art for freedom

Over the last few years since I got here in the United States, the fourth of July has become one of my favorite holidays. I don’t make a big deal of every holiday but there are a few where I like to dress up, but I’m all about creating outfits with pieces from what we already have at home and that can still be worn all year long. Just like these last minute recycled Patriotic shirts I made for my self and for my mini me.

This project is really fun to make and by just looking at the photos you could tell how easy these shirts were made.

Main ingredients? Miniature Flags and a permanent marker…

You may choose to keep or take off the flag applique’s after all the 4th’s fun either way, you saved a dime!

Till next diy look for less loves! happy sewing!

Ready, set, sew!

The upsidedown skirt

Don’t throw that trousers!

Your hubba might not want it anymore, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create something new from them. If your hubba’s like mine, he’s got at least a few pairs that have seen better days. Now it’s time to deconstruct with this refashioning inspiration. All you do is cut them in half and sew them like your normal pencil or A-line skirts only upside down. Then add a 4 inch-waistband to make it look like high waist-ed.

There you have it! A unique and a never seen before upside down skirt! So set aside a little time and bring that trousers back to life!

Ready, Set, Sew!

Till next DIY look for less loves! Thanks for reading!

P.S. A big thanks to Refashion Nation for featuring my work on their site! cheers! you are the best!

 

scrappy cropped top

If you’re a sewing veteran you’ll understand how valuable it is to know what to make with your fabric scraps. This project encourages you to sew quilted garments with leftover fabric,  a stash-buster that cleans out your scrap basket. The finished product is a functional piece of clothing , while the process gets rid of all that accumulated fabric.

All you do is dump out your mountainous scraps and piece them in strips. I just used my normal sewing machine as I don’t have a serger. Serging the edges is a lot more faster as oppose to zigzag stitching so they don’t fray all over. Since zigzagging is not an option to me as I don’t have a lot of time to sew, I had to take a scrap lining from my stash and lined it so it’ll end up finished and professional looking.

The back bodice is made out of a pant leg. Since I only have one not to mention a very short pant leg. I had to use my leftover bias tape to finish the arms and the back hem. I say the exposed gold zipper took the top into the next level.

I hope this simple diy inspired you to recycle your own fashion scrap heap! Till next diy look for less lovelies! Thanks for reading!

Raglan cropped top refashion

Projects that can be made with literally portions of fabric are the best. Today learn how to turn your shirt into a stylish raglan top without depleting your precious pile!

Ready, Set, Sew!

Take an old/new shirt you want to refashion. I am using an old cut out dress. I’m sure some of you remember this dress which I cut in half and turned into a zipper collar top last year.

Now I’m taking half of  the dress to transform into a raglan cropped top.

DIY How-to:

You need to mark horizontal lines on both shoulders starting from the neckline to the armpit section of your shirt like so…

Cut and lay it flat on the other side of the shirt for precision.

and it’ll look like this once done…

Transfer the shoulder measurement down to your scrap fabric leaving seam allowances then sew them on and voila! Your brand new top is born!

Till next DIY look for less loves!

 

Mother of all Denims

Track pants are one of those trends that I was so dubious about at first. I mean who wants to walk around looking like one is wearing pajamas right? But after I have created this new baby and figured how to wear them well, I was so on board.

I’m sure some of you are still unsure about this trend but just because these pants feel like jammies doesn’t mean they can’t become chic. Throw them on with blazer and heels or cropped top both of which will offset the slouchinnes of the pants. You’ll thank me too when you feel insanely comfortable all day long.

If you’re convinced with this look then go grab your supplies and let’s get creative! I used denim stretch material for this project.

Ready, Set, Sew!

D.I.Y. Track Pants Tutorial

(You may also refer to my zara skort imitation tutorial for similar instructions)

1. Trace your favorite jeans to create your pant legs, making sure the hips are wider than your normal pair. You need 2 front and 2 back pant leg pieces. Be sure to make the back leg pants an inch bigger from the inseams than the front leg pieces as shown on the illustration. You’ll end up with these…

2. With the right sides together, sew the front pant legs along the curves as shown. Next, hem your pant legs.

3. Attach an invisible zipper on your back pant leg pieces.

4. Be sure to extend the zipper out by four inches then hem.

5. Sew the front and back leg pants together then set darts on front and back pieces as shown, so it fits nicely.

6. Measure your waist and divide it into 2. Transfer that measurement down to your fabric including seam allowances and create 2 waist bands as shown. Grab 1 band and cut in half.

7. Connect the 3 band pieces. Baste the top portion of the band as shown.

8. Create 2 tubes. Each tube measures 30″  long and 3″ wide.

9. Insert the tube’s raw edge into the band where the baste stitch is. Do that on both sides.

10. Pin the waist band on, right sides together then sew and your project is complete!

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Till next DIY look for less lovelies! Thanks for reading!

Look good in a refashioned curtain!

As most of you can tell by my absence, I have been too preoccupied with a lot of things lately. Simply put, I haven’t gotten any chance to sew and blog! I mean literally! Nia would only take cat naps during the afternoon and of course I’m not used to sewing at night neither in wee hours. It is not just me. I mean, I’d rather be watching some flicks or go to bed as early and you know get as much sleep as I could. Until the month of April’s Pretty Girls Sew sew along challenge. I am very fond of the group. I love sew alongs but they would take a particular pattern to sew “I guess” for most of the challenges but for April? I knew I had to join no matter what!

So, the requirement is to sew a gathered skirt in floral. You know me, I wouldn’t just ask “the hubba” to buy me some fabric as if I ask he’ll give and to me it’s not very practical. I shop at home instead and found these…

floral curtains! ha! I chose the blue one as I have a big refashion plan for the “it” color pink! hihihi 😀

Here are some photos of me wearing the refashioned blue curtain…

It wasn’t really a gathered skirt I made, It’s a dress. I was actually thinking, If I just make a skirt I don’t really have anything to match it with. That gave me no choice but to give a little twist to the project.

I started cutting and assembling the thing last April 25. I was glad Nia took more than an hour-nap that day and I had this…

Came Saturday and Sunday, family day a.k.a. no sew day! LOL (I was not really laughing out loud) I thought I’m not gonna make it to the deadline. “I think I did not because of this late upload oh well” hahaha (that’s a real laugh right there y’all) Then came Monday, I got the chance to finish the whole thing! Nia took a 3 hour-nap that day! Yay! I mean Yay for Nia’s long nap! kuddos to mommy LOL…

And oh! Nia was also wearing a DIY matching peplum I made from scraps when she was just 16 months old! 😀

If you like the look, gear up and get Ready, Set, Sew!

Sewing Instruction:

Good luck, have fun and till next DIY look for less lovelies!

Thanks for reading!

Men shirt sewn origami skirt separates

Hello thrifty crafters! The time has come to start cleaning out the closet and making room for new spring clothes… but before you begin tossing out those old shirts, think about putting them to use with this recycled shirt idea. From new wearables to some other useful whatever, you can easily convert old clothes into just about anything. Take a look at this project and get inspired to start crafting today!

Ready, Set, Sew!

When I picked up this chunky shirt from the family’s giveaway pile, I knew I could make 2 wearables from it. I thought about what’s trending now and without a doubt, I knew origami skirt separates would be a cool new born drab to fab of it. So, I started ripping off the pocket and cut across underneath the armholes….

…that became my origami skirt

It’s so simple! in fact you could imitate it using my origami skort tutorial minus the shorts, you might wanna check it out!

I then attached a waistband and didn’t bother making a button hole and what not as I’m sure it’ll hold just fine.

With the remaining fabric I have, I managed to make a loose fitting wrap top…

embellished the top with shoulder buttons like that on the picture.

I neatly sew them by attaching some bias tapes on its raw edges for more professional looking seams…

Now I have a brand new separates that I could mix and match with…

Happy sewing everyone! Till next DIY look for less!

P.S. Anyone of you who loves singing like I do? I recently discovered this amazing sing along app called sing snap you might wanna check it out! Also included a link (below) for you guys inviting you to watch and listen to my recent upload “The Power of Love by Celine Dion” I know most of my IG friends are wondering if I can really blow some notes so here ya go… lol wasn’t flawless though I should have practiced first but oh well haha…. peace!

http://www.singsnap.com/karaoke/watchandlisten/play/c3b25342f

Thanks for dropping by my loves!

DIY Jean-tutorial

Denim is a girl’s best friend. It is the most versatile wearable piece a woman must have. A laid back basic perfect for those “I don’t want to think about what I’m wearing days” and truly we always look for a pair with a good fit. One that’s not too tight but not too loose. One that’s not too long but not too short. A perfect pair of jeans! Ever struggle to find one?

The best thing about sewing your own clothes is that you can absolutely make sure they fit. In this case a pair of jeans. However, integrating a zipper fly is no joke I’m sure y’all agree and I’ve never tried using commercial patterns.  Thus, I came up with a very simple sewing technique every seamstress might want to know. How to integrate a zipper fly  without using any commercial pattern. So, grab your supplies and let’s get started.

Ready, Set, Sew!   

Take your brown paper and start tracing your favorite pair of jeans…

Note that you need to integrate  a 4 by 2 inch-flap thingy in your drawing which will serve as your fly, extending the inseam by half an inch.

Move away the flap by folding it in, following your marked line like so…

Now trace your pattern unto your fabric then start cutting out 2 for the back pieces.

Now you’re ready to make the front pieces. Cut out the extended inseam.

Cut out a side pocket if desired…

Trace the pattern unto your fabric then cut 2 pieces

Now you should have 3 sets of pattern pieces

The front, back and the side pockets (please refer to my zara skort imitation tutorial to make your side pockets).

Optional: Just like a regular denim, you can place some grommet to decorate the side pockets like so…

Once done, all you gotta do is line your front pieces right sides together then sew a basting stitch unto the fly front opening. Then sew a regular stitch along the curve leaving a quarter of an inch seam allowance…

Once done, it should look like this…

With the wrong side facing you, fold in the left flap in half.

Next, remove the basting stitch from the flaps then pin down the zipper on the folded side like so…

Flip your front piece up with its wrong side facing you, then pin down the non sewn  zipper tape on the overlapping flap. Sew along the pinned lines making sure that the pant leg is out of the way…

Then sew a curve line right next to the zipper fly like so…

then sew the back and the front pieces altogether (please refer to may zara skort imitation tutorial or harem pants tutorial for similar instruction) it should now look like this…

create and attach a waistband

then make a button hole once done

attach a jean button

and you’re done!

Till next DIY look for less loves!